Slow for a while, but then it's non-stop action and thrills to the end.

Rating: Null/10 (9 August 2001)

** 1/2 out of ****
Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn might surprise those who are watching it without any prior knowledge to the plot. It begins much like a crime/road drama, with two criminal brothers, Seth and Richard Gecko (George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino), getting into a shootout in a convenience store. They end up losing a few hostages. Their plan is to get to Mexico and meet with an associate. Thus, they are forced to take a former preacher, Jacob (Harvey Keitel), and his two kids (Juliette Lewis and Ernest Liu) by gunpoint. Using their RV with Jacob at the wheel, they get past the border, stop at a seedy strip bar out in the middle of nowhere, and are in for a big and unpleasant surprise.
After a hectic shootout and some funny, quirky dialogue in the opening, the movie does develop quite slowly and is buoyed only by the occasional interesting bit of dialogue (which is trademark Tarantino). A few of the characters we've been introducted to do up to this point are fairly interesting, but are a little underused or are simply excessive in whatever they do. I was finding myself rather bored by the proceedings. But once they reach the bar, all hell breaks loose, as our "heroes" unpleasantly discover that the bar is owned by vampires, and for the last 45 minutes From Dusk Till Dawn is a non-stop ride of action, thrills, and campy dark humor.

The action is the film's main showcase and it's fast-paced, violent, and exciting. It makes John Carpenter's attempt at high-energy in Vampires look lethargic in comparison. The film offers some creative ways to kill vampires, and it's all so hectic there's not a chance you'll be bored. I haven't seen Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi, but if he shows the same kinetic style here it'll be another wild ride. All the action here is set in the bar (it's a rather large one, too), making it an obvious poke at Night of the Living Dead because of that film's own confined setting. Of course, instead of zombies we've got the undead of the blooksucking variety.

There's gore all over the place here, which must have made the R-rating a close call. There are decaptitations, throat-rippings, stakes through the heart, limbs ripped off, and exploding bodies. The make-up effects are good (and sometimes noticable campy) but the CGI-rendered effects are weak, even for a movie that isn't meant to be taken very seriously. Thankfully, there aren't as many of those here as the traditional make-up effects (vice-versa was the case for Blade, which was terrible).
To satisfy the male crowd, a fair share of nudity is inserted, though none of it is particularly titillating. Most people I know, though, have found Salma Hayek's dance sequence to be a highlight. I'll admit, it's a little sexy in a seedy manner, and she plays the scene perfectly. Hayek isn't in the film all that much, but her attractive presence is a plus, it certainly adds to the experience. When it comes to vampire seductresses, she's not as memorable as Mathilda May was in Lifeforce, but she's still eerie and sexy here.
As much as it is an action/horror film, From Dusk Till Dawn is also a comedy, and a very dark one at that. For the first hour, it's mostly the same style of humor seen in Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Once the vampires appear, the laughs come from some sharp jabs at horror cliches (the sharp dialogue is till there). Despite the humor, there's still some genuine tension, particularly a scene where one of the massacre's survivors turns into a vampire and attacks the others, as well as Keitel's slow walk to the back room as he tries to hold off dozens of vampires with a shotgun.

The film is also boosted from some fun performances. Nobody's aiming for an Oscar here, but George Clooney is quite effective as the anti-hero who wields his guns in near desperado-style, and Quentin Tarantino is a riot as his insane brother. Harvey Keitel is his typically solid self, and plays the part of a preacher who has lost his faith well, bringing some dignity into the movie. Juliette Lewis and Ernest Liu are adequate for a movie like this. Cheech Marin's got three roles and chews the scenery big time.
The film's most interesting character belongs to make-up man Tom Savini. Fred Williamson tries to be as odd and quirky, but Savini's biker character Sex Machine is hilarious and memorable. Horror fans may know him mostly for his great make-up effects, but this performance is a scene-stealer. This isn't exactly a great performance (nor is he aiming for that), but it's a remarkably enthusiastic one.
By the end, you'll realize that From Dusk Till Dawn is hardly a great film. But it accomplishes its intent, delivering thrills and action in spades, as well as some good laughs. Two sequels have been made, and I keep hearing the second one is terrible while the third is pretty good. Vampire films have never been my cup of tea, but damned if this one didn't have me entertained.