It was an important Movie for society and one of clever originality.

Rating: Null/10 (30 November 2004)

This movie by Quentin was one of excellent originality. Not only did it display the "other half" of the gangster image, it was also successful in its acting, and clever in certain scenes that I only notices when watching the special features of the 2 disc DVD. This movie is important because it, in a very clever way, SIMULTANEOUSLY portrays gangsters as invincible and vulnerable, witless people. Samuel Jackson and John Travolta wield 45 magnums like a toy gun, murder a number of people in the process, as if they are truly above the law.
On the contrary, they are contradictory to the usual gangsters of the past, like the Godfather or Jimmy Hoffa. In these movies, they are seen as godlike and untouchable; idolized in today's society and envied by many inner city citizens. In Pulp Fiction, we are given another look at this "untouchable" image because the two gangsters portrayed here are often sloppy, and occasionally witless. An example is the dismembering of Marvin, the accomplice of Jules and Vincent, which displays Vincent's stupidity. Talking about buying a beer in Paris and hash bars in Amsterdam. Letting Mia Wallace snort 1500 of Choco heroine which, obviously, is not supposed to go into the nose. Not to mention Vincent leaving a silenced on the a counter for Coolidge (Bruce Willis) to find and murder him with. Even Marsellus Wallace (portrayed as an invincible kingpin) is raped by two men.
The "time" factor. Most people, when watching the movie, did not realize that in the beginning, you can picture John Travolta walking to the bathroom behind Honeybunny, or Jules talking in the background about eating his muffin (this all happens while Pumpkin is talking about the benefits of robbing a restaurant). When watching the movie several times, it is clever how Tarantino manages to separate each scene and split them up at different moments in time, leaving us small clues that allows to pick apart his cleverness. I'll bet you were confused when they shot the two people (in nice black and white suits) and retrieved the briefcase (after the Bruce Willis piece) they arrive at the bar in t-shirts and short shorts. If you noticed, the bar does not open until noon (or 10am?), if I remember correctly. They arrive at the apartment just short of 7:30 am when they murdered Flock of Seagulls, Brett and the "seinfeld" guy. Marvin is shot and when they arrive at Jimmy's house, it is about 8:20. They are given less than 40 minutes to clean the car, and dispose of the clothes and the body. When the restaurant is robbed, it is approx. 9:27 as displayed in the kitchen where Pumpkin is seen hollering at Hispanic dishwashers. When you notice this; how it was timed and well planned, it is all the more brilliant.
"Pulp Fiction" also has great irony to it. When they are in the bar, Bruce Willis is done talking to Marsellus Wallace and encounters John travolta. John Travolta Condescends the boxer, referring to him as "palooka" and "punchy". 2/3 through the movie, John Travolta dies at the hands of? Bruce willis by his own weapon. Another irony linked to this is in the apartment when he survives six shots from a 357 magnum! Vincent Vega blows it off while Jules takes it seriously. The same situation occurs in the apartment when Vincent dies and Jules lives because he quits "the life" apparently at the perfect time.
Perhaps the most underrated portion of the movie is its music. From Dick Dale and the Del Tones to Kool and the Gang and Al Green, they blend in with the movie. Tarantino did not choose songs that were popular in 1994, but songs that he personally thought did not get credit they deserve. Thanks to excellent editing by Sally Menke, the songs blend into each scene; they do not overpower the scene and distract you from it, but pull you into it, and often have you singing along with it if the song is familiar. Unknown songs are chose and ignored the first time. But when watching this movie again, I appreciated it more because when i really listened to the songs, i found them to be entertainment. The Misirlou at the beginning, in a way, sets the tone of the whole movie. Al green's "Lets Stay Together" is now his most famous song; mellow and fits the scene in which it is played. It is the trademark of all Tarantino's movies. When you watch his other movies, I'll guarantee that the opening song will set the mood for the movie. Kill Bill, and Reservoir Dogs are good examples. When I first watched this movie, I was nine years old. I did not have the ability to apply critical thinking to this movie, until i recently bought this movie on a 2 disc DVD. The interweaving of the plots and an excellent cast have immortalized this movie and made it one to study and analyze for years to come.