NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Turbine bring their Blu-ray-production talents to an 'uncut' Barb Wire release - a Pam-Anderson-breast-showcase vehicle. It's on a dual-layered Blu-ray in 1080P with a high bitrate. It looked excellent on my system with only a few instances of sneaking edge-enhancement as a detractor. The colors are right, deep and true, contrast is at the upper levels and the 1.85:1 visuals look strong and impressive in-motion. There is depth and no noise.

The audio is transferred in the option of a robust 5.1 surround or 2.0 channel stereo DTS-HD Master tracks (both 24-bit) with optional German DUBs. It's quite adept with some deepness to the effects of guns and explosions. The Michel Colombier (Un Flic, Colossus: The Forbin Project, Une Chambre en Ville. Against All Odds) score is also very pleasing augmented by Gun's Word Up, Hagfish's Hot Child in the City, Die Cheerleader's Dancing Barefoot and, yes, Tommy Lee's (of Motley Crue and Pam's ex.) Planet Boom among other intense music for the club scenes and in support of the choreographed action. The audio quality is quite strong in supporting the film's aggression. There are optional English or German subtitles on this Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

Turbine include a 4:3 version of the entire film in SD. I wonder if the opening up of the frame shows more... nudity? (I didn't check... yet). There are about 10-minutes of 'Sexy Outtakes' which consistent of an expansion of the opening scene with Pam getting water bounding off her body - stripper-like. There is the 1/4 hour Making of from 1996 with a few interviews, a short Promo Featurette and trailers from three countries.

Frankly, I like fellow-Canuck Pam Anderson and I'm glad that I finally saw Barb Wire. I was hoping it would be as cheesecake-ie / adventuresome-fun as Jane and the Lost City that I enjoyed quite a bot. I suppose it was following the graphic novel with some darker edges (some sexual deviance, gratuitous violence and dog-biting-crotches etc.). I appreciated the post-apocalyptic feel and relative tastefulness. It had some satire in it as well which helped the expression. I think more effort in the production wouldn't have hurt although it was destined to be trashed by critics. Too bad - I wish they had done a sequel... but better. The Turbine Blu-ray transfer is very solid providing a competent HD presentation. There are a few extras but nothing to sway a purchasing decision. It probably just depends on how much you like Pam's boobs.

Gary Tooze