Barb Wire (1996)

29% of critics liked it
(35 reviews)
16% of users liked it
(46,047 ratings)

Set in the year 2017, Barb Wire takes place after democracy has fallen and a fascist military junta has taken over the U.S. government, plotting to wipe out the country with Red Ribbon, a laboratory-manufactured disease derived from the AIDS virus. The entire test city of Topeka has been… More Set in the year 2017, Barb Wire takes place after democracy has fallen and a fascist military junta has taken over the U.S. government, plotting to wipe out the country with Red Ribbon, a laboratory-manufactured disease derived from the AIDS virus. The entire test city of Topeka has been annihilated, and only the small bastion of Steel Harbor remains the last free zone in the country, conveniently the home of the title heroine Pamela Lee. Barb, a leather-clad, silicon-stretched motorcycle mama, happens to carry antibodies for Red Ribbon in her DNA, thus making her an enemy of the state. She sets out to defend freedom and take down the evil government by posing as a stripper and seducing foolish male adversaries with her well-displayed assets. The plot thickens as she happens upon her freedom-fighter ex-lover and his wife (much in the vein of Casablanca). ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: David Hogan
Written By: Chuck Pfarrer
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: May 3, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jun 6, 2000
Studio: PolyGram Video

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The irony of this style, with its high-swank grunge clutter, is that it's too dissociated to have coherence even as pop; we're always aware that we're watching sets being photographed.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
The movie carries its cyberpunk variation right through to the end, and usually with enough wit and craziness to freshen the mix. Then, there is Pamela, whose tight, disciplined performance deserves more respect than it will almost certainly get.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Its main source is a comic book, but it might as well be a computer.
, Variety
his cartoonlike starring vehicle for Pamela Anderson Lee offers enough choreographed fight sequences, heavy artillery and fleeting glimpses of the star's august body parts to satisfy the raging hormones of its target young male audience.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Made with a wafer-thin stylishness that thinks dressing the Congressionals like storm troopers is creative, Barb Wire plods along, following one pro forma scene with the next.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The element of high camp that makes for enjoyable 'good trash' isn't present. Bad movies like this often generate small cult followings, and that's about the size of audience the picture deserves.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a consistently inept and astonishingly dull actioner...
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
We used to complain about Hollywood travesties of great books; now we're reduced to kvetching about movies that cheapen the comic strips on which they're based.
Derek Adams, Time Out
The film's haphazardly edited, lacks narrative clout, and rambles on to a ludicrously extended conclusion.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
There isn't a scene that Anderson-Lee walks through that didn't grab my attention.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The most inane and inept hootfest (or, for that matter, hooterfest) to hit the big screen since Showgirls.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
After a while [the] novelty wears off.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
Don't bother.
Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine
The focus remains on Lee throughout, and (except for one flashback scene, in which we see the young, compassionate woman she once was) she pretty much delivers.

Read all 14 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Barb Wire is just an excuse for studio executives to fill their wallets by casting Pamela Anderson (who was still big back then) in a film that has little substance. Barb Wire is a terrible attempt at an action film and is definitely one of the worst action films that I've ever… More
Barb Wire is just an excuse for studio executives to fill their wallets by casting Pamela Anderson (who was still big back then) in a film that has little substance. Barb Wire is a terrible attempt at an action film and is definitely one of the worst action films that I've ever seen. The film has some of the worst acting possible. Based on a comic book, Barb Wire takes place in the future where the U.S government has fallen and a Fascist military dictatorship has taken over. Barb Wire's plot is pretty thin with poor development. Pamela Anderson is definitely no actress and this film proves it. The only thing that's going for this film is that the film looks great. The sets are awesome and the look of Steel Harbor is wonderful. Unfortunately, that doesn't redeem the film from being a terrible miscalculation. I despised this film, and thought it had nothing interesting to offer the viewer. Barb Wire is a mess, and doesn't work as an effective action film. This is one awful film that just doesn't cut it. The film is sloppy and it plays out like a bad B movie. There are no redeeming aspects of this film. Pamela Anderson is a has been sex goddess and with a role like Barb Wire, studio executives knew how to exploit that to their advantage. Unfortunately, Barb Wire is a piece of trash with nothing going for it. The plot is paper thin, and is virtually nonexistent. Barb Wire is a definite miss!
Martin S

I didn't see the whole movie.....cause it was so fucking bad
Phil H

Ahhh gorgeous Pammy, she's lovely x this film is'nt too bad, the comic is cool and this touches that with the look but its very basic and pretty dumb. Could be more violent but a strange little ensamble of cast makes it ok, Kier being the best in the oddball rating of… More
Ahhh gorgeous Pammy, she's lovely x this film is'nt too bad, the comic is cool and this touches that with the look but its very basic and pretty dumb. Could be more violent but a strange little ensamble of cast makes it ok, Kier being the best in the oddball rating of course. This is better than Johnny Mnemonic but only due to Pammy in very tight bondage biker gear which is just fine with me haha
Jani H

"Barbara Kopetski died in the war. I'm Barb Wire." Back in '96, Pamela Anderson was the daydream of almost every young man. I'll have to admit, I was one of 'em if I remember correctly. Later on, I'm almost ashamed of that considering that she has… More
"Barbara Kopetski died in the war. I'm Barb Wire." Back in '96, Pamela Anderson was the daydream of almost every young man. I'll have to admit, I was one of 'em if I remember correctly. Later on, I'm almost ashamed of that considering that she has not done anything brilliant ever in her career (if you're not counting her record appearances in Playboy magazine...) Well this film ain't brilliant either! In fact, it has got to be one of the most stupid films I've ever seen. It has some minor cult status within some groups but "Barb Wire" is nothing but an interesting failure. There was a lot of hype with the movie thirteen years back but everything with the movie was a big disaster. "Barb Wire" has a stupid story, horrible acting and in overall, filmmaking at its worst. I can't really think of any thing that would make me recommend this movie to any of you. Well, maybe two... Ye be warned! "Don't call me babe!"
Jason S

It's basically Casablanca with boobs.
Dean !

Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson does a comic book film wearing a tight black outfit....was there a storyline?
Dean M

Pamela Anderson seems not a bad femme fatale in this based on a comic book of sexy bounty hunter-heroine film. Action-packed is bit dull.
xGary X

A "star" vehicle for a pair of tits attached to a vacuous Barbie doll with no charisma or acting ability at all. Only of interest to 14 year old boys with a box of tissues and no internet connection.
James A

SO bad on so many levels.
Steven V

Pamela Anderson seems not a bad femme fatal in this based on a comic book of sexy bounty hunter-heroine film. The story was run of the mill but still bearable and the action for the most part was fun.
Professor W

Summary: Pamela Anderson running around in low-cut outfits with guns killing people and blowing shit up. The Good: If you like tits than you'll like this. Okay plot and action. Very cheesy and over the top. The Bad: Don't watch this for story or characters.… More
Summary: Pamela Anderson running around in low-cut outfits with guns killing people and blowing shit up. The Good: If you like tits than you'll like this. Okay plot and action. Very cheesy and over the top. The Bad: Don't watch this for story or characters. Ratings: Acting: 5/10 Story: 4/10 Originalality: 4/10 Soundtrack: 6/10 Characters: 4/10 Overall: 6.5/10 Sexiness: (The following is my Review for the fappers 18+): The first 10 minutes already have big-breasted Pamela Anderson dancing around naked getting sprayed with water. There's not much nudity later on in the movie but Anderson is always wearing very sexy revealing outfits. Fap Rating: 9/10
Deb S

I guess it was successful on one level...Pam personifies every adolescent's erotic fantasy and certainly qualifies as an instant attraction for the young males watching, although calling her an actress would admittedly be a stretch.Did I mention there are lots of car chases,… More
I guess it was successful on one level...Pam personifies every adolescent's erotic fantasy and certainly qualifies as an instant attraction for the young males watching, although calling her an actress would admittedly be a stretch.Did I mention there are lots of car chases, explosions and stuff? Just ''Don't call me Babe'' okay!!
Doctor S

I'll give Tank Girl another try before having another go at this malarkey. Pamela is fine in her role and her corset but the script & story...wait, what script & story??
Jonny C

Pamela Anderson bare ass isn't enough to carry this disaster of a movie.
Marcus W

Anderson plays a tough bounty hunter who is incapable of finding a top that isn't black leather and way too small on the chest. She spends the ENTIRE film flaunting her lack of acting skills and showing up the script for the abomination that it is ("Don't call me… More
Anderson plays a tough bounty hunter who is incapable of finding a top that isn't black leather and way too small on the chest. She spends the ENTIRE film flaunting her lack of acting skills and showing up the script for the abomination that it is ("Don't call me babe!")...and yet this film isn't terrible: the plot works and is engaging, there's some decent action and the bad guys are bad and dress like nazis. Stupidly entertaining and entertainingly stupid.
Lee K

except for pam andersons sexy bod and wardrobe this movie sucks ass
Barry L

Pleeeeaaase..........

Read all 17 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Pamela Anderson as Barb Wire

            Temuera Morrison as Axel Hood

            Victoria Rowell as Cora D

            Jack Noseworthy as Charlie Kopetski

            Xander Berkeley as Alexander Willis

            Udo Kier as Curly

            Jennifer Banko as Spike

            Alex Bookston as Man in White Suit

            Andre Rosey Brown as Big Fatso

            Mark Collver as Manny

            Vincent Curto as Aide to Pryzer

            Shelly Desai as Sharif

            Clint Howard as Schmitz

            Neil Hunt as Weasel

            Henry Kingi as Moe

            Tommy 'Tiny' Lister as Bouncer

            Joey Sagal as Fred the Bartender

            Patti Tippo as Mom

            Nicholas Worth as Reuben

            Salvator Xuereb as Young Soldier

            Tony Bill as Foster

            Steve Railsback as Col. Pryzer

            Michael Russo as Santo

            Jack Wright as Package Check Guy

            Tina Cote as Woman in Bar #1

            Miles Dougal as Goon

            Nils Allen Stewart as Jack

            David Andriole as Goon

            Temura Morrison
            
See full cast