AllMovie

Expanding his primary-hued fantasy world into an appropriately cotton candy-flavored kaleidoscope, director Mario Bava injects Danger: Diabolik with the perfect amount of humor, hi-tech gadgets, and espionage-tinged action. The scourge of police and the criminal underworld alike, Diabolik's only loyalties lie with his lover Eva and with taking every opportunity to embarrass authorities through a series of elaborate and craftily masterminded heists. Striking a deal with police to capture Diabolik once and for all, underground crime-boss Valmont receives more than he bargained for as Diabolik constantly turns the tables on his would-be captors, always managing to squeak out of a tight spot with his gadgets and disguises. John Phillip Law establishes himself as the definitive Fantomas-esque antihero, and in its style the film is a curious foreshadowing of Tim Burton's Batman films that would follow two decades later. Diabolik also serves as an interesting companion piece to Barbarella, released the same year and co-starring Law as Pygar, the angel who has lost his will to fly.