May have set the bar too high for future films

Rating: 10/10 (7 April 2007)

I've been anticipating this movie since the day it was announced so I very easily could have over-hyped it for myself and been let down. Needless to say, I was not. I could sift through and pick out a few flaws. I could say that "Planet Terror" is pretty mindless and relies too much on testicular sight gags. I could say that "Death Proof" drags a little in the middle. But then I look at the big picture and these flaws are not even worth mentioning. This movie had so much in it's favor; more than just about any film out there can offer. Even besides packing in two very good films, you get some hilarious fake trailers (one now being made for straight to video) as well as other odd vintage film clips including an ad for a taco joint and an inexplicably long animated intro letting us know that "Death Proof" has a restricted rating.
"Planet Terror" doesn't take itself seriously for a single (scratched and damaged) frame. It may have been a disaster if it did. Instead, Rodriguez just awards us with countless scenes of over-the-top zombie violence. The acting is intentionally terrible and that's a good thing. His score clearly mimics that of John Carpenter's early films and works very well at setting the silly tone. It also acts as a constant reminder that you really shouldn't be thinking too hard. Normally I might cringe at something like this but Rodriguez has proved over the years that he can always come up with creative and entertaining action scenes, even if his characters and story run a little flat. This movie plays to his strengths.
"Death Proof" gave a more real feeling of tension and is probably the better movie even if it's not constantly hitting you in the face with exploding heads. It's chock full of everything you've come to expect from a Tarantino movie. Lengthy pop culture discussions, multiple shots of women's bare feet, 70's music and cool cars. Some will be turned off no doubt by the odd structure and the lengthy girl-chat discussions. The result, though, is probably the most enjoyable and exciting action sequences in recent years. After sitting through all the build up the pay off delivers on all levels because you become part of the group of characters on screen.
When I walked out of the theater I saw a big display for "Live Free or Die Hard". As I looked at it I said "I just can't care about Die Hard right now." I'm a huge fan of the first 3 but Grindhouse was such an event to take part in that the usual summer flare Hollywood offers us just doesn't seem that appealing anymore. Maybe this is the slap in the wrist that studios need to break apart their nest of remakes and comic book adaptations, a trend that doesn't seem to want to end anytime soon. I'm sure legions of movie goers will flock to go see Spiderman swing around CGI New York for a third time but I'd much rather spend my time at the Grindhouse.