Grindhouse – Movie Review
Fun! That is all I really need to say to describe the experience of seeing Grindhouse. A film that definitely must be seen in a theater with a large crowd. This was the first time in a long time that the crowd I was with was hollering and cheering at the screen throughout the entire movie, and this one is over 3hrs. long. For those not in the know, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino made Grindhouse as an homage to the exploitation films they grew up watching. And they succeeded in replicating the style of those films in every detail. They even included "missing reel" segments, one in each film and both of them getting (and deserving) the loudest boos of the film.
In a nutshell the movie starts with the faux trailer Machete. Then starts Rodriguez's zombie flick Planet Terror. This film has quite possibly the best opening to a movie ever (Rose Mcgowen displaying her assets to the Planet Terror theme). The plot of the film is about a toxic gas that has been released in a small Texas town and it slowly turns the locals into mutated, puss filled zombies. This one feels like it came right out of the 70's, complete with a Carpenter-esque score and over the top gore. So over the top in fact that it almost becomes a comedy. I saw no attempt to make any part of this film scary at all.
There is no official intermission between the two movies. Instead there are 3 more phony trailers, so if you gotta take care of business, I suggest you do it then. If you do need a break, all you will miss is Werewolf Women of the S.S., Don't, and Thanksgiving. Of the four fake trailers, I thought Thanksgiving was the best because it was so freaking ridiculous.
The second feature is Tarantino's Death Proof and is about a psychopath named Stuntman Mike stalking and killing young girls with his car. And I call Stuntman Mike crazy not because he likes to kill young girls (honestly who doesn't), but that he has no problem ruining badass cars in order to do it. I have a feeling gearheads will love and hate this film at the same time. And this movie delivers on the promise of a great car chase scene, which is the last act of the film. Overall I enjoyed both films, but I liked Planet Terror a bit more and I think most people will too because of the slow pace of (not that it is a bad thing) Death Proof.
Needless to say, if violence, gore, drugs, and nudity isn't your cup of tea, then stay far away from this film. On the other hand, If you do enjoy seeing all of those things in excess, then run to your local theaters and see Grindhouse.
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