“Grindhouse” Review
Just got back from seeing Grindhouse, and I’ve come to two conclusions: Robert Rodriguez is just plain great, and Quentin Tarantino is a great story creator and very good director, but completely annoying otherwise.
Let me say up front- if you enjoy either of these guys’ past works, ignore any critics or naysayers who try to dissuade you, and see this movie (these movies) ASAP. You will LOVE it (them).
The main reason to see Grindhouse is Rodriguez’ Planet Terror. He shows us Sin City wasn’t a fluke. He’s really that good. This classic Zombie Movie opens great, it carries you along wonderfully, and if you listen closely to the dialogue you’ll laugh your ass off, over and over. Also, it’s made me a doting fan of Rose McGowan.
If you enjoy Tarantino’s “high- schoolers- trying- to- sound- witty” dialogue, you’ll love Death Proof. Otherwise, you’ll be bored out of your head until the car scenes. The old Chryslers are beautiful. But Kurt Russell inexplicably turns from a ultra-tough, merciless killer with the cool attitude of Dirty Harry into a screaming, whining wuss once a bullet grazes him. And suddenly his Charcoal Gray General Lee Charger, which easliy ran down the girls when he was after them (questionable with them supposedly in a 440 Challenger), runs like a K-car when they are chasing him. It’s as if Tarantino didn’t think the girls could take on the tough guy without his director-deity intervention.
The “Missing Reel” gimmick works perfectly in Planet Terror, but falls flat on its face in Death Proof.
Tarantino makes you nauseous with his attempt at creative camera work during the girls’ diner scene. And he overdoes it with the fake 70’s cuts and hiccups in the reels. He ain’t no Kubrik.
The Tarantino staples are there. Watch for the Red Apple cigarettes, etc. That’s pretty cool.
Final Tally:
Planet Terror (Rodriguez): 9 bananas
Death Proof (Tarantino): 6 bananas