Barbie & Kendra Crash Joe Bob’s Drive-In Jamboree, the fourth installment in the Full Moon franchise, offers the expected blend of offbeat comedy and quirky characters. While Charles Band has directed each film, this is screenwriter Shane Bitterling’s first venture with the iconic bimbos. Will this be a home run or a sign that the franchise is waning?
Barbie (Cody Renee Cameron) and Kendra (Robin Sydney) are sitting on the couch, as always. But unlike usual, they are lamenting that it seems there is nowhere they truly fit in. Barbie dreams of being a trophy wife but has yet to meet anyone who gets her. Fate intervenes in the form of a commercial featuring Joe Bob Briggs (himself) announcing his annual drive-in jamboree. Instantly smitten, Barbie and Kendra jump onto their motorcycle and ride to Las Vegas.
Once at the jamboree, they fawn over some of the talent and practically throw themselves at Joe Bob. By happenstance, the friends uncover a sinister plot by Stu Dio (Felissa Rose) to tear down the drive-in and replace it with a golf course. Their attempts to stop her are intercut with older foreign films poorly dubbed into English to be as goofy as possible.
“…uncover a sinister plot by Stu Dio to tear down the drive-in and replace it with a golf course.”
The only issue with Barbie & Kendra Crash Joe Bob’s Drive-In Jamboree is its 50-minute runtime. There’s not enough time to set up Barbie and Kendra’s life crisis, the jamboree and what it means to the “weirdoes” attending, Stu Dio’s plan, and wrap it all up. As such, something’s got to give; in this case, it is everything involving Stu Dio. Her plan makes little sense; how she introduces herself to the attendees is awkward, and she is defeated far too easily. Due to all this, there are no stakes here, which is something Corona Zombies, Barbie & Kendra Save The Tiger King, and Barbie & Kendra Storm Area 51 all had.
On the flip side, this film is a laugh riot, surpassing all its predecessors in the franchise. There’s never a dull moment, as each scene is packed with amusing or downright hilarious incidents. The inclusion of Turkish Exorcist adds a touch of absurdity that’s nothing short of genius. Joe Bob’s deadpan humor is as razor-sharp as ever, perfectly complementing the absurdity of the titular characters. The meta drive-in film within a drive-in film concept adds to the comedic spectacle. The most hilarious moments are the unexpected appearances of random strangers in the car Barbie and Kendra are watching the film in.
Cameron lets loose and hams it up to 11, so to speak. Sydney is as goofy and charming as ever. Their chemistry is palpable, with Barbie and Kendra always coming across as best friends and, possibly, the only people on the planet who understand one another. Briggs has a history with enjoyable low-budget schlock, obviously, and is personally connected to Full Moon: he was the officiant at the wedding of Charles Band and Robin Sydney. As such, it is not a huge surprise the cinematic host understands the vibe of these films. As usual, he’s charming, amusing, and spirited. Of course, his capable assistant, Darcy (real name Diana Prince), is by his side, and she’s terrific, especially at the end. While her character is underwritten, Rose is clearly having fun as the menacing, over-the-top villain.
Barbie & Kendra Crash Joe Bob’s Drive-In Jamboree, while the funniest of all the films in this franchise, also has its shortcomings. The lack of a compelling plot and the absence of high stakes are noticeable. However, Cameron and Sydney have never been better as these characters and Briggs seamlessly blends into the cast. In conclusion, this film is a delightful journey for those who appreciate the unconventional, bizarre, and original.
"…a laugh riot, surpassing all its predecessors..."
