South62

It is so bad and naive that it is very good. Cinematography is great. Women are beautiful. Acting is terrible but who cares. Pace is too slow for an action film. Italian cities, cars and fashion of 1960s (or maybe 1970s?) are made meticulously what is quite enjoyable and maybe the best aspect of the movie. Problem is that a comic "Diabolik chi sei?" (I read it long time ago, but remember it with pleasure) is much, much better. It was really a challenge to make such a bad movie based on good comic. Anyway it was fun to watch. So I gave it "7" because I had great time in spite of all said flaws. I am looking forward for 4th sequel.

I do not understand why is this movie so underestimated. Even the famous line "Oh God! Oh man!" I do not find embarrassing but quite appropriate. Maybe the movie is awful indeed, but I can't help myself: I like it, I enjoy it, I will watch it again and again. I do not care about miscast, bad acting, convoluted plot (it is a bit convoluted in the novel too). I am just having fun, but not kind of "so bad that is good". It just one good and funny movie that does not deserve so harsh judgments. At least average but not so unforgivably bad. Mailer's approach as a director made something quite watchable. O'Neil is good. Rossellini professional as always. Hauser very good. Tierney is great. Fisher believable. Bedford Lloyd caught the oddity of the Wardley character with bravado. I must admit that Stipe/Sandlund (besides great looks) did not give her forte, but maybe that is the point, maybe she is real Patty Lareine.

No doubt, this movie is very bad, much worse than predecessor, even worse than the worst comic-book episode. Plot is naïve with lot of illogical points. One has to invest a lot of suspension of disbelief if wants to endure it. But... If you do not take it seriously, you can relax and enjoy it. So bad that it is good, great guilty pleasure, genuine camp. By the way, reconstruction of 1960s is nice, with great accessories and, of course, Italian cars and Italian cities (with my favorite Trieste).

Ms. Bellucci's acting was so bad that I think she was self-ironical and intentionally making fun of the movie. I prefer Mr. Marinelli from the first movie as Diabolik. Better actor with charisma and better looks for main character. Mr. Gianniotti luckily does not have a lot of screen time what is kind of ironic too. Ms. Leone is gorgeous as always.