Review of Grindhouse (2007) by Alex R — 21 Mar 2011

Grindhouse aka: Planet Terror and Death Proof are a collaboration between Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, two of Hollywoods most maverick directors. In Grindhouse they pay tribute to the Grindhouse genres of the 1970's. Both films look sleazy and poorly made (in a good way) just like those films would look. Grindhouse is an awesome anthology and is another thrill ride and tour de force from both directors. Robert Rodriguez serves up an action horror zombie film with Planet Terror and Quentin Tarantino serves an action horror film about a maniacal stunt driver bent on killing young women in Death Proof.

Planet Terror Review: Planet terror is a terrific film with a dark, gritty look. The film looks unsettling, and it looks cheap, which adds a certain creative element to the film. The film is action packed, it's comical, it's bloody and gory and it's one great zombie film to watch. It's one of the most creative zombie films I've seen in a long time, and is possibly one of the most original ones since 28 Days Later. Planet Terror has a solid cast and is action packed with awesome horror elements thrown in to make this a thrilling, horrifying action packed ride.

Death Proof Review: Death Proof is an awesome film in the style of Steven Spielberg's Duel and the most recent Joy Ride. The story surrounds a stunt driver named Stunt man Mike and he's bent on killing young women with his Death Proofed stunt car. Death Proof, much like Planet Terror has a damaged, cheep feel to it, just to add to the films "Grindhouse" look. Tarantino offers something different from his Pulp Fiction days as he cooks up this action packed horror film with a road rage attitude. With awesome car chases, Kurt Russell acting like a psychopath and lots of gore, Death Proof is an awesome ride.

Grindhouse overall is not for everyone. The films may seem boring to some, but these two films are very good when you actually sit down and watch them. They're well made, and thrilling. Not to mention it's a fitting homage to the Grindhouse films of the 70's, I know nothing about the genre, but I've seen a few Grindhouse films, in the past, and these two films are awesome and capture the essence perfectly well. But some people will tend to dismiss it as just two big budget movies trying to look cheap, if you just think that, then skip it, People like that are so picky. Overall a solid anthology that blends action, horror and thrills into two gritty, raw and well acted, well made films, Grindhouse delivers the thrills, the scares and the wicked action you so crave from Masters such as Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.