Death Proof
Directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Starring Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Rosario Dawson, Sydney Poiter, Vanessa Ferlito, Rose
McGowan, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Quentin Tarentino.
Planet Terror and Death Proof are part of a Rodriguez / Tarantino “Grindhouse” double feature, but unfortunately the films are being released separately here in Australia. Both films are intended to have the feel of those mass-produced cliche 70/80s films churned out “back in the day” where movies focused less on plot and acting, and more on entertainment and a cheap thrill. (No I don't mean pornography.) Poor quality film / audio / reel change effects are deliberately used to add to the film's old cinematic flavour (of course as members you can get the same poor quality 16mm effects at any AUFS screening! Ha!)
This film follows two groups of sassy females enjoying their leisure time until a crazed stalker car stuntman named Mike (Kurt Russell) begins to terrorise them in his “death-proof” skull car of death.
The cast in this film is quite A-grade, with all the female actors giving a solid performance, and particularly with Kurt Russell and stunt actor Zoe Bell stealing the show.
The effects in this film are excellent. Tarantino really gives car accidents the “brutality” they deserve, and the chase scenes have no computer generated graphics, just old school stuntship! As usual Tarentino knows how to carves a film's place into the market! A lot of references to old Tarantino films exist for fans as well.
At some points in this film it seemed as if it is trying too hard to be iconic, or classic, e.g. if Empire Records is a classic film, then this film feels more like Coyote Ugly at times, with a bit too much T&A factor and too much hopefully quotable banter that ends up becoming too dull in the second half of the film.
At the of the day you need to put this film in context as it is supposed to be a bit of a joke and does end in that context.
It's unique, generally enjoyable, and offers a cinematic experience you won't get in typical mainstream cinema. It won't make your top 10 or possibly even your top 20, and Tarantino has easily produced better, but nonetheless — if you see it, you'll probably be glad you have.
7/10
Michael Hill
