Welcome to the Grindhouse

Rating: 10/10 (12 July 2008)

This review will be separated into two halves. The first of witc h is a review of Robert Rodcrigueses Planet Terror.
Planet Terror.
Upon first inspection Planet Terror seems like one of those movies destined to join the pile marked "so bad its good" but even with that looming over it Planet Terror doesn't lose its cool. It's a Grindhouse flick so it's generally in poor quality but as a film it's utterly fantastic. A tasteless orgy of guns, girls and gore. What more can you ask for?
Married doctors William and Dakota Block - Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) and Marley Shelton ( Sin City) - find their graveyard shift inundated with townspeople ravaged by gangrenous sores and a suspiciously vacant look in their eyes. Among the wounded is Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan) a go-go dancer whose leg was ripped off during a roadside attack, and El Wray (Freddy Rodriguez), a mysterious drifter with a past. Cherry may be down on her luck but she hasn't danced her last number yet.
As the virus turns the invalids into enraged aggressors, Cherry and El Wray lead a team of accidental warriors into the night hurtling towards a destiny that will leave millions infected, countless dead and luck few heading for the last safe corner of Planet Terror.
Wacky as it may be, Planet Terror leaks with authenticity and humour. There no doubt its one of the most quotable films of the last year. And while Rodriquez is not quite as brilliant as Tarentino he does and admirable Job at making this film in his vision.
Actors Rose McGowan, Marley Shelton and Josh Brolin are those who sine mostly and while Freddy Rodriguez is commonly referred to as the hero its McGowan who saves the day. Brolin is hilariously terrifying and Shelton clearly isn't afraid to get herself slapped around. The cast altogether look like their having a blast.
So are undoubtedly the audience, this is the kind of film that the critics hate to admit they loved. Aside from me of course what with me looking forward to Grindhouse since the beginning of last year. Shame the n that us English audiences get both films split because it sunk at the American box office.
Hopefully then the two masterful films will be reunited on their DVD release.
Its soundtrack from director Robert Rodriquez who also happened to be the composer on Kill bill Volume 2 composes the main theme for this and to be perfect ally honest it's infectious. And while Planet Terror isn't quite up to the high standards of Quentin Tarentino Death Proof it still provides enough competition for Mr. Tarentino to get scared.
Death Proof.
It's a crying shame UK audiences didn't get the full Grindhouse experience. And all because of the Americans intolerance towards it. Fair enough if you're not into this kind of stuff it's hard to sit through a film devoted to talking and car crashes but look under the bonnet and you'll find a world of possibilities.
The Characters of these 8 seemingly unlinked women brought together by one diabolical man played by the absolutely terrifying Kurt Russell. But even he can't provide as much character as these two groups of four women. The first the lesser interesting of them who are fortunately given less screen time than the other four. Though Sydney Tamiia Poitier provides much entertainment as a feisty girl looking for a good time. It's the second group is far more entertaining including an oddly good performance from Uma Thurman's stunt double of Kill Bill Zoe Bell cast ironically as playing herself in the movie. Rosario Dawson's subtle turn from concerned "play it safe chick" to badass who in the end has the final laugh.
As for Russell not much can be said about his massively entertaining performance only that he will most likely be haunting your dreams for long after what with him being absolutely bloody terrifying. As for plot there isn't much to it. A simple guy kill girl film reminiscent of the 70's Grindhouse flicks. But in no way does its film underestimate women what with Massive role reversal 17 minutes before the end in which there is one of the most dazzling car chases in history. In witch our heroines get their chance at revenge upon the psycho killer with deadly consequence.
Director Quentin Tarentino doesn't skip on the foreplay with most of the film being clogged with female chit chat and one interestingly choreographed lap dance.
Another thing director Tarentino didn't skip on it the authenticity. This could honestly be shown at a Grindhouse what with the humours title change at the beginning. The title "Thunderbolt" flashes on screen only to be replaced by a grey added on reel correcting it. Or the jumpy tracking in with the voices sometimes doesn't go with the actors mouths. Truth be told this is a brilliant exploitation flick.
Though one thing that dulls down "Death Proofs" appeal is the horrible Tarentino cameo that is utterly cringe worthy. Not nearly half as cringe worthy as when he appeared in the second half of Grindhouse Robert Rodriguez "Planet Terror" when he appeared as the comical "Rapist 1" there is nothing comical about his acting abilities however. Or the fact that even when he transformed into that horrible beasty his performance was still vile.