Good, but highly overrated.

Rating: 7/10 (17 May 2007)

This movie should be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of production company screw ups. What in god's good name possessed the Weinsteins to first market the movie the way they did and then to release it on Easter weekend. I actually was relieved i could at least sit comfortably in the theater. Lastly this movie should have been held to summer and should have been an outdoor theater thing in the places that have them. On To the review Without a doubt the best thing about the whole movie is the first 3 minutes with Danny trejo in machete. I'm a huge fan of movies like dolemite and i think this would be up there. For the lay man Dolemite is a movie that is so ridiculous it is great. The first movie, Planet Terror, is a straight up hoot. The humor is great, the john carpenter theme works, and lastly the girls. The missing reel was timed impeccably. The flaw for this movie is not really a flaw but they had to show Rose McGowan with the gun for a leg in the trailer. A lot of the Joe Schmos saw this and were like "its not realistic", well no crap its not supposed to be. It is truly a shame that John Carpenter can't ever get a budget for his movies like they had for this one.
The trailers were overblown except for thanksgiving. The rob zombie one i felt was just a crappy rock video until nick cage as foo Manchu. You never know with the junk he's been doing maybe this movie would be a step in the right direction. Then the trailer don't. Its funny but it gets really annoying. And lastly thanksgiving , you find yourself saying did i really just see that. Thats actually a good thing.
Heres where the overrated part comes in. Death proof is a giant let down. I felt this was a critic's horror movie. Critics have been crying for changes in the horror play-book. They got their wish. As usual Tarantino gives us a good soundtrack of some rock gems. Also there is some good characterization by the director which is a Tarantino norm. I just felt the movie was ultimately a let down because the Planet terror has you so pumped up and death proof is just really slow and boring. You will find yourself say "when is something going to happen". The concept is unique and definitely will be appreciated. I felt the best move would have been to run this one first because it is slow, then planet terror would move at the speed of light. When your are sitting in the theater for over three hours the last thing you want is the last ninety minutes to drag.
In all honesty, I felt this movie was very smug. These two guys thought they could make anything and the viewing public would accept it. They thought they were better then the guys who came before them such as John carpenter, Peter Jackson, and Sam raimi. Now before i get crucified, before spider-man and the Lord of the rings, Jackson and Raimi were kings of this type of film. I felt Rodriquez and Tarantino thought they were better then them and it proves names of directors doesn't really mean anything. If its not appealing to the Joe schmoes and Paris Hilton of the world then its not going to be a success. Both movies are good but this really pales in comparison to movies like Army of Darkness or They Live. I loved and respect this concept i just hope they have the balls to make and release to the theater Machete. And Tarantino and Rodriquez if you might see this make Machete a double feature with a revamped remake of Dolemite starring Ving Rhames. Machete and dolemite back to back it wouldn't be stopped.