Imperfect but potent debut for QT

Rating: Null/10 (29 July 1999)

I love it when people put this film down. There's something about the passion people have for Tarantino's work that just drives them nutty, and in (rather immaturely) belittling this film (or "Pulp Fiction," or "Jackie Brown,") they also have to take a swipe at the film's fans, too. Why? Why is it necessary to attach their malicious attitude to the audiences who admire the work? Do they think that no film this popular could ever have an honest, true fan base? What gives?
Oh, well. Regardless, "Reservoir Dogs" is a very good film, and an excellent debut for any director, Tarantino or otherwise. It's bold, stylish, confident, lovingly cinematic, simultaneously paying homage to great films past and coming up with some new techniques, all with a scarce amount of money. On a technical level, for its budget, it's pretty close to perfect. The acting could have been a bit better -- Eddie Bunker (who doesn't look a day older than "Straight Time") is downright awful, and Steve Buscemi has a few really bad lines to chew through -- but otherwise "...Dogs" is highly recommended.