Flawless cinema, and Mr. Blonde rules.

Rating: 10/10 (10 July 2003)

This is rhe one that put Tarantino on the map, and rightly so. A brilliant ensemble work is flawlessly brought to the screen with a group of terrific actors.
The plot consists of a group of men brought together to pull of a jewelry heist. Things go awry when an alarm is pulled and the cops respond quicker than they should. The group then rendevous back at an abandoned warehouse and try to decide whether there is a rat in their midst who is tipping off the cops.
The acting, as I have said, is flawless. Harvey Keitel is perfect as the leader, Mr. White. Tim Roth playes Mr. Orange to perfection, and he spends a good portion of the movie laying on the floor (You'll find out). Steve Buscemi IS Mr. Pink. I know that Tarantino wrote the role for himself, but he made the right decision by putting Buscemi in the role instead. Chris Penn is also great fun as the continually P*ssed off Nice Guy Eddie and he is perfect in the role. And this is the first film I've seen Lawrence Tierney in a film and he couldn't be better cast. No one, Not even Robert DeNiro could play Joe Cabot better than Tierney did. Also of note are Eddie Bunker, who is great with what little screen time he has as Mr. Blue, and Tarantino himself is great and funny as Mr. Brown. Who can forget his "Like a Virgin Monologue. And I have to point out Kirk Baltz, who makes you feel his pain in the "Ear torture sequence". He is great. And Randy Brooks is great and entertaining in his supporting role.

But I have to give special notice to The chilling Michael Madsen. For those who have only seen him in "Free Willy" or "Thelma and Louise" Prepare to be terrified and blown away. Madsen is better than perfect as the showstopper Mr. Blonde. His look, his acting, everything about his performance is flawless and I have to admit, (Though you probably guessed by my I.D.) That Madsen's Mr. Blonde was my favorite character in the piece. He has unforgettable lines "Are you Gonna Bark all day, Little Doggy, or are you Gonna Bite"? And he has the best and most chilling scene in the movie, the "Ear Torture Sequence". Wait untill you see him dance to "Stuck in the Middle with You." you will be revolted and want to turn away, but you won't be able to. Alternatingly cool and alternatingly terrifying, Madsen's performance, at least in my opinion, is the best in the film. Because even though he's terrifying, the audience has to admit that he's cool.

This is definitely not a film to have the kids watch with you, but any adult who likes crime drama will enjoy it. As to the violence, It is very violent. But it's not half as bad as the recently released "Gangs of New York". The first five minutes of that movie are gorier that the whole of "Reservoir Dogs". We don't see blood spurting from anyone in this film. In "Gangs...", we are treated to blood spurting out of the side of Liam Neeson's character. I won't lie to you and say that people don't get bloody, but it's definitely not as graphic. So if "Gangs..." didn't bother you, don't even worry about being revolted by this one.
Overall, loved the film, loved the actors, especially Madsen, and I hasve the film on vhs and dvd (the Mr. Blonde special edition). I definitely reccomend this one.

*****/***** 10 out of 10