Death Proof

Rating: 8/10 (24 December 2014)

It's ladies night and the feeling's right... for Stuntman Mike. After encountering a group of girls at the local tavern, he decides to have his way with them. And not in the way you might think. The second half repeats the event with another group of girls, only this time things go decidedly different.
I loved this film. I didn't see it in the theater, but I saw the extended cut on DVD. So I can't speak for the differences other than that I know the lap dance scene is longer and they added in the toe-licking scene, both of which are great. Many people, including my horror buddy Jason, told me this film was slow and Tarantino had lost his edge. And yeah, it was slow, but I think this worked -- it probably seemed worse in theater because it followed the non-stop bull ride of "Planet Terror".
The dialog is not Tarantino's best, but it's not bad. There's no quotables like the "royale with cheese" or pretty much the entire script of "Reservoir Dogs". But he makes the mundane, everyday conversation seem like something worth watching. And he knows how to write them. Compare this conversation (the one by the first group of girls) to conversations in other films, and you can't tell me that this wasn't more realistic. So, that's a pretty good job.
For those who wanted gore, thinking this was a horror film, you probably were disappointed. Sure, there's some really good blood in the car crash scene (and even a face getting ripped off by a tire) but it happens in under 30 seconds, so you really have to keep your expectations low if you want gore. Me, I didn't mind. The suspense of the story was all I needed to keep me waiting to see what Mike was going to do next. He was a weird guy, both maniacal and calculated.
Tarantino, or whoever did the casting, knew what hey were doing. The first group of girls was just alright, but since we wanted them to die it was okay we didn't find them as attractive. But in the second group, we have Rosario Dawson (whom I don't generally like, but was okay here) and the love of my life, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Actually, the love of my life is Mandy Moore, but Winstead is the best horror has to offer. That cheerleader outfit was divine.
Also, I loved the soundtrack. Tarantino is great at exposing viewers to 1970s music they've long since forgotten or never even heard of. The Coasters "Down in Mexico", April March's "Chick Habit" and the thumping "Hold Tight" are just stellar. Sure ,he could throw in some modern pop or rock songs, get a soundtrack that sells millions. But why? He's mining gold right here. Just as he's done on "Kill Bill" and all films before. He made "Stuck in the Middle With You" a bigger hit than it ever was the first time out.
Some have complained it's too self-referential, with the subtle in-jokes about the other movies, including Texas Ranger McGraw, the Vipers outfit, the "tasty beverage" and more. Screw the critics. Self-referencing, or any referencing at all, makes a solid film. It's that subtlety that pays off for the alert and insightful that really drives a film home. Kevin Smith, who I think has a lot in common with Tarantino, is very self-referential. And you know what? It makes his films gold because you won't catch all the connections your first time.
Let's list off the amazing cast: Kurt Russell (Stuntman Mike), Rosario Dawson, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan (who is much hotter as a brunette and a former love of mine, but I'll take her as a blonde), Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Zoe Bell (Uma Thurman's real-life stunt double, and Quentin Tarantino as Warren the Bartender. Priceless.
If this film bored you in theater, give it another chance. I think the extended edition really adds some missing flavor. Sure ,you're not getting the sex and gore and non-stop thrills, but there's something about this film that really captures the style it was shooting for (the style of "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry") in a Tarantino vein. I think it kicks a llama's butt.