Two Half-movies, One Great, the Other Lame and Hackneyed

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2001)

I saw this film in the theatre, after seeing the previous Tarantino films. I'm still a big fan of his work, but this film was a major disappointment.
It opens beautifully, in classic Tarantino style. George Clooney performs masterfully in his role. Although I was disappointed with the film itself, it made me a quick fan of Clooney. The story develops strongly, with some classic lines and scenes delivered by all.
They arrive at the bar, and we get to see nearly all of the volcanic body belonging to Salma Hayek. Then things go horribly wrong. The developments in the first half of the movie are categorically ignored and tossed aside, and the film becomes a pathetic and unoriginal B horror film. The Goonies or Lost Boys, but without the young-people's-movie charm. I remember thinking, "Okay, the momentum's dropped off, but it'll pick up. It has to." It doesn't. So disappointing. The movie finishes predictably, and I was left with the feeling that I got only half a movie for the ticket price.
I would recommend catching the first half of the film on cable or DSS, just for the on-the-money tarantino dialog and action. When things go awry in the bar, you are free (and encouraged) to commence channel surfing.