Grindhouse Presents, Death Proof - Extended and Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Quentin Tarantino
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Rose McGowanDirector: Quentin Tarantino
Brand: UNI DIST CORP (MUSIC)
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 113 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-09-18
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Movie Reviews of Grindhouse Presents, Death Proof - Extended and Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Movie Review: Though I'd Prefer Not, Even Seperated, "Grindhouse" is Still a Truly Thrilling and Unique Experience.
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes it sucks they are releasing Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's films separately. And yes it sucks most of us will more than likely end up shelling out more dough for either the theatrical version of "Grindhouse," or some form of special edition package that, even if doesn't recombine the films the way they were in their glorious theatrical release, combines these two movies in some fashion - and gives us back the faux trailers, which were just as much a reason to see "Grindhouse" as either of the films themselves.
"Grindhouse" was an experience. That was the whole point of the project. Bigger than just seeing a double feature, the creators wanted their audience to experience the exploitation pictures of the 70s, many of which inspired them to become the directors they are today, in all their over-the-top glory.
Because the film was too long, too violent and released on Easter weekend, people just didn't get it, didn't want to see a couple of grainy, odd 70's exploitation style flicks (they weren't hits then either, and that's the whole point), it was rated `R' and largely off-limits to its target audience, or because the promos for the film so heavily focused on something as admittedly strange as a stripper with a machine gun leg - there are several theories - "Grindhouse" disappointed in theatres.
It is perhaps because of that we are now getting the films released separately and the experience has been, for the most part, broken up and abandoned. Gone are those terrific trailers, though they admittedly would have seemed out of place as individual special features on just one the films; and gone is the thrill of what was a three-plus-hour, down and dirty, drive in spectacular. Who knows if this decision was meant to recoup lost funds in order to release more versions down the road, or if the two films were always planned to live on their own after theaters, like any film that was part of a double feature during its theatrical release.
As I said, this is not the way I would prefer to relive "Grindhouse," and I sympathize with those who would bash these two DVDs because releasing them separately not only distorts and truncates the experience, but this decision feels like it will ultimately prove to be a cash-grab by the studio when, six months down the line, they decide to release another version. But the fact is, the "Grindhouse" films are still great and work well on their own. Just because they are no longer a double feature doesn't mean each doesn't accomplish what it sets out to do expertly well. And realistically, this type of separate release makes sense in that these really are two separate films, not one long one. But I loved "Grindhouse" in its entirety so much that I was looking forward to reliving the experience over and over, and I envisioned it becoming one of those staple movies the next generation watches behind their parents backs during sleep-overs and such.
Well, shoulda, woulda, coulda. That's not the way, at least for now, the films will be released. And my own hopes for the film's legacy are not what I am supposed to be reviewing.
Nearly as much as debating this releasing format, people have been debating which half of "Grindhouse" is the best - Tarantino's or Rodriguez's. I will admit right off that I found much more to savor, as I always do, in Tarantino's film, "Death Proof". Some have dismissed it as too talky or too boring or not the "slasher" film it was presented to be (though I don't recall being promised anything specific from the movie before its release). It is first and foremost a hot rod thriller ala "Vanishing Point". Cars, stunts, menacing characters - both evil and anti-heroes - and thrilling chases are the point of this vehicle. As usual Tarantino doesn't just mimic the films and filmmakers he idolizes, but he raises the bar and does all the old stuff in a new, interesting and many times in a shockingly audacious way. And the stunts in this flick are not only spectacular, but they are real; and I'll take that over CGI and camera trickery any day.
Which brings us to "Planet Terror."
Yes Robert Rodriguez's "Planet Terror" is the flashier, showier, more action-packed entry here, and just because I'm in the "Death Proof" camp doesn't mean I didn't love what Rodriguz did with this zombie throwback. As both spectacle and parody, "Planet Terror" is big, loud and fun. It has a great cast, some surprising cameos, and tons of great lines. I think the problem I had with "Planet Terror" is that it was a zombie movie. Not because it is a zombie movie (I love zombie movies), but because there have been so many lately and a lot of them have already been presented in a hip, self-winking manor as if they were already sending up old-school, schlocky 70's zombie movies. Because of that, I always felt like I knew where "Planet Terror" was going and I was never that thrilled or gripped with suspense. The movie managed to have some big surprises here and there and plenty of individual great scenes and moments. I would never call it dull, or bad, uninteresting or anything other than expertly done - as I said, I liked this film too, it's just that by comparison, I think Tarantino offered up the more interesting film.
But, to each his own. The criticisms for films like this - and with the goals these guys have in mind, which is really to deliver a piece of hopped-up nostalgia - are relative and negligible. Too criticize "Planet Terror" for some of the things I did one could argue is missing the point. The whole reason for these movies is to honor and revisit the over-the-top junk that these films were. It that regard - and in terms pure entertainment and bang for the buck - these films both out do themselves. But, as they say, I likes what I likes and "Death Proof" was more my style. More ambitious and less obvious in its thrills, the movie builds a sense of dread and it gets that feeling of 70s cinema just right, from the opening shot and title cards, to its gasp-educing, thrillingly abrupt conclusion. Kurt Russel is flat-out fantastic and real-life Tarantino stunt-woman Zoe Bell is a discovery and revelation. As always with QT, this movie is dialog-heavy. I savor his stuff. If you don't, I can see why the movie may play like less than the sum of its parts for you. But I love juicy dialog as much as I love the blood and goo that spills and flies out of bodies in movies like "Planet Terror."
And that is the genius here.
By giving us both sides of the coin - two major types and examples of 70s exploitation cinema - "Grindhouse" delivered on both a promise and a concept. No two directors were more suited for the task, and it likely would have failed with any others at the helm. Now that QT and RR have laid the blueprint, I look forward to seeing what other genre-dabbling directors could do with similar material (like all the guys who contributed those terrific afore-motioned fake trailers - I would definitely pay to see full-film versions of "Machete," "Thanksgiving," and "Nazi Werewolves of the S.S."). Sadly, because the films are now split, some of you may not feel the same excitement (and if you didn't see it theatres, for now at least, you won't see any of these trailers).
But rest assured, even separated, if you pick up either "Death Proof" or "Planet Terror" - preferably both (and assuming you know what you are getting into and what these two visionary directors are trying to do) you are in for one hell of ride. For true film fans or just those in search of something daring, original, and way too entertaining, to miss these two films, or in the case of the fans boycotting their separation: to avoid buying these two films, is to miss out on a great film experience. Sure the real experience was better, but buying these separate is hardly a rip-off. First, both come in jam-packed, two-disc sets with all kinds of bells and whistles, including deleted scenes. And speaking of deleted scenes, since about a half an hour of each film had to be cut for the theatrical release, had they just released "Grindhouse" as we knew it, we would not be seeing the films in their intended entirety.
I don't know if that makes up for separating the two, but it is reason enough for fans of these films to rejoice. Face it. Had they released "Grindhouse" as we knew and loved it, we would still want to see the individual movies in their entirety, so most likely we would have wound up buying two products somewhere along the line anyway. I'm actually hoping somewhere down the line I do indeed get that chance. No I don't want to see three or four more DVD releases of the individual films, but I'll spend some money on these as they are, for what they are, and the entire "Grindhouse" someday.
Here's to hoping we get that chance.
More Grindhouse Presents, Death Proof - Extended and Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition) reviews:
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Summary of Grindhouse Presents, Death Proof - Extended and Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition)
A deranged stuntman stalks his victims from the safety of his killer car but when he picks on the wrong group of badass babes all bets are off in an adrenaline-pumping high speed white-knuckle automotive duel of epic proportions where anything can happen. Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 09/16/2008 Starring: Kurt Russell Rose Mcgowan Run time: 117 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Quentin TarantinoSimilar DVD Movies
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