SEQUEL CATCH-UP: KILLER BARBYS VS. DRACULA (2002) * ½

Jess Franco’s Killer Barbys was a quirky, cool, and atmospheric rock n’ roll/horror hybrid.  This cheap sequel was shot on video, features bad dubbing, and is sorely missing the charm that made the original a minor classic. 

The Spanish punk band Killer Barbies play a rock show at an amusement park.  Little do they know Count Dracula’s coffin has been delivered to the park.  Their loud rocking and rolling awakens the Count from his slumber and he soon goes around biting tourists on the neck. 

The band’s numbers aren’t staged or performed nearly as well as the ones in the first film.  (They do a so-so cover of Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson’s “Candy” that qualifies as the musical highlight.)  The problem is they aren’t in it nearly as much as you’d think.  The first film was basically an R-rated version of Scooby-Doo with the Killer Barbies acting as Scooby and his gang.  This one is like a cheap Dracula movie that’s occasionally interrupted by performances by the band. 

In fact, it just seems like Jess had use of a theme park for a few days, so he filmed some quick scenes of some old farts hanging around.  Then, he filmed some dope running around in a Dracula cape.  Finally, he called up the Barbies and shot some scenes of them performing before cobbling it all together. 

The humor is groaning inducing.  Once the Count wakes up (he’s somehow able to move around in daylight), a news reporter asks him, “Have you had any trouble with AIDS?”  Dracula himself is a joke.  He’s bald but looks and acts more like Uncle Fester than Nosferatu.  A lot of time is also spent on the annoying Dr. Seward who basically acts as the Van Helsing character. 

At least Killer Barbies lead singer Sylvia Superstar is looking as sexy as ever.  Wearing an array of skimpy outfits, she’s fun to watch as she struts, prances, and dances around on stage.  It’s also amusing seeing Franco’s muse Lina Romay as the vampire’s familiar, who dresses like a cross between a dominatrix and a dictator (although I think she’s supposed to be a chauffeur).  Their enchanting presence isn’t nearly enough to save this dreck though.