Rollerbabies Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Rollerbabies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 20, 2022

1976’s “Rollerbabies” is presented as a parody of 1975’s “Rollerball,” but director Carter Stevens is really doing his own thing with the endeavor. The film eventually gets around to roller skating, but the ride there is a strange one, filled with puns, vaudeville-inspired comedy, an act of telepathic oral sex, and a most bizarre use of ice cream to jazz up a bedroom encounter. One doesn’t expect hospital corners when it comes to storytelling efforts in an adult movie, but “Rollerbabies” is all over the place at times, and while it’s entertaining, the feature isn’t quite as fun as it initially promises to be.

In the future, sex is outlawed, with corporate masters looking to contain overpopulation and individualism through a chemical sex suppressant. Only professional performers are permitted to copulate on television for masturbation purposes, with executive Frobish (Alan Marlow) in charge of assembling the popular show. However, his bright future is dimmed by his superiors, who favor the development of a new program, putting him in a panic to make money, turning to the creation of sex androids to give the public what they want.

“Rollerbabies” opens with an exposition dump from Fuller Shyte, a senior character meant to provide some sense of time and place with this futureworld of sex-less misery. However, the story belongs to Frobish and his schemes to make a few bucks in this dystopian realm. Stevens turns to comedy to support the viewing experience, encouraging corny jokes and broad performances, and the players even break the fourth wall. Wackiness is the goal with “Rollerbabies,” making carnal activity somewhat limited, and when it does arrive, it’s tainted by fetishistic touches, including the aforementioned ice cream lubricant and an unfortunate turn into sexual assault, with Stevens aiming to please the raincoat crowd.

Rollerbabies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from its original negative. Some damage is present, with spotting on a few of the "reels." Mild specking and scratches are present as well. Detail is excellent, exploring full body textures and fine hairs, and facial surfaces are exact. Costuming is fibrous, and interior decoration is pleasingly defined. Colors are lively, working with the "futuristic" look of the feature, favoring bright primaries. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like.

Rollerbabies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix on "Rollerbabies" supplies clean dialogue exchanges, dealing with the various skill levels and enunciation efforts of the cast. Music supports with authority, handling classical pieces and funkier period sounds.

Rollerbabies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (3:51, HD) is included.

Rollerbabies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Rollerbabies" gets distracted with subplots involving the CIA (Carnal Intelligence Agency) and weird science with Frobish's employee, Professor Rochsov, but the feature periodically finds its way to a clear understanding of humor and sexuality. And there's some roller skating gamesmanship, but only in the final 10 minutes of the feature, finally giving viewers the oddity of watching couples have intercourse while rolling around a banquet hall, hitting a sweet spot of absurdity that's missing from the rest of the endeavor.