Instant Classic - The Best Movie of the '90s

Rating: 10/10 (15 March 2013)

Quentin Tarantino's first masterpiece. The highly and critically acclaimed 1994 movie became a quick cult classic with its unconventional structure, immensely witty dialogue and great examples of excellent casting.
While there is no absolute lead actor or main character, John Travolta became the real shining star of the film as he went from an almost forgotten celebrity to a surprise academy award nominee. Opinions of Travolta skyrocketed after his admirable performance in Pulp Fiction, made even more special with Quentin Tarantino by his side, with his script and his vision. Other actors who made Tarantino's casting ability reign significant were Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer and a small Christopher Walken role.
The brilliant casting went on to create brilliant characters. These characters were brought to life by their portrayals, witty dialogue, memorable moments and top notch chemistry; everybody remembers this movie for fantastic philosophical and psychological pieces of long dialogue that never get boring, mostly involving Travolta and Jackson, or to an even greater degree, Travolta and Thurman. It's hard to keep describing the characters, story and memorable scenes because there is just so much and too much to talk about, it's just much easier to say that everybody involved in the process did a great job.
There is something in Pulp Fiction for everyone, for every die-hard movie fan, to every aspiring director or writer, to every casual cinema- goer. There is action, violence significant to the film's shape and style, quintessential Tarantino trademarks, some fine notable qualities on the visual and design side of things and an incredibly memorable soundtrack, the latter of all these qualities perhaps being the most enjoyable generally. I really can't think of a movie that portrays better utilisation of a non-original score than this, with every song used as a device to set the mood, to capture your attention or to fit in nicely with the cinematography in its own sense of aloofness. The soundtrack boasts a fine array of surf rock and funk/soul music.
Of course, what will always be remembered, what will almost make Pulp Fiction innovative is the series of basic stories, made not-so-basic with an intriguing, non-chronological structure. The movie ends with a scene that takes place before the first main story that is presented, that being John Travolta's character Vincent Vega taking his boss's wife Mia Wallace (Thurman) out. But don't worry; you won't need a synopsis written out for you as you watch the movie, because in pure Tarantino style, it is complicated but at the same time consumable. And speaking of, the main accolade here is quite simply the remarkable job done by Quentin Tarantino in his second feature length directing effort. Made slightly frustrating by not being able to direct some of his earlier screenplays, the man knew that he was made to be a success in the movie industry, and after the release of Pulp Fiction, everybody knew it.
Pulp Fiction taught us so many things, not just what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France, but also not to have such a conservative outlook on movies. With a legacy that will always live on, Pulp Fiction is simply put, my favourite movie. I envy anybody who still hasn't watched it, you are really in for a treat. It is one of the all-time greatest films, and if you disagree then I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger. *****