DANGER: DIABOLIK (3+ outta 5 stars) Definitely a case of a movie where the sum of its parts is greater than the whole. The movie has great sets, great costumes, great music, great direction, great everything... yet it didn't quite mesh together into a great movie. Oh, I enjoyed the movie a lot... I look forward to seeing it again... maybe over time I will learn to like it even more... it just doesn't rank up there with my most favorite cult classics. John Philip Law portrays the criminal mastermind Diabolik... dressed from head to toe in a black bodysuit, mostly with just his eyes visible. He continually confounds police and criminals alike as he goes around stealing whatever he darn well pleases. He is aided by his sidekick/lover Eva (Marisa Mell). I am not usually attracted to this sort of blonde ice princess (popular in the '60s) but I have to say that Marisa Mell belongs at the top of the list. More than just a pretty face... she also exudes strength, passion, humour and intelligence. There are some great sequences in this movie... fast cars, death defying leaps, exciting chases. I guess the only problem I have with the movie is that the finale doesn't live up to the excitement of the preceding hour. Diabolik's final "escape" is merely a rehash of one used earlier (and also given away if you happen to view the trailer before seeing the movie)... and the final "heist" isn't as much fun as previous capers. Still, the movie is very much worth seeing... definitely one of the very best comic book adaptations.
Review of Danger: Diabolik
