Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's double feature "Grindhouse" rocks and shocks the silver screen with their three-hour homage to the exploitation films of the '60s and '70s. The film is segmented into two B-movies, "Planet Terror" and "Death Proof," shown back-to-back with an intermission of fake trailers. Both Rodriguez and Tarantino's horror stories deliver the awesome cheesiness of the genre with a combination of wildly entertaining action with ridiculous stunts and gore.
"Planet Terror," written and directed by Rodriguez, is a zombie flick that reaches new levels of sensationalism. A group of rogue soldiers release a chemical weapon that transforms the citizens of a town in Texas into a pack of flesh-eating monsters. Cherry (Rose McGowan), a go-go dancer, gets her leg ripped off by zombies shortly after reuniting with her ex-lover Wray (Freddy Rodr?guez). Luckily, he's a vigilante bad-ass with martial arts skills and flawless marksmanship. The two team up with the local sheriff's department, along with various other wacky characters who join the struggle for survival.
In "Death Proof," written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, a homicidal maniac named Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) murders young girls with his black car. The story follows two groups of friends who have strikingly different encounters with the psychopath.
The incredibly over-the-top trailers provide a hilarious interlude in between the two full-length films. Cult directors Eli Roth, Rob Zombie and Edgar Wright each have their own segments entitled "Thanksgiving," "Werewolf Women of the S. S." and "Don't Scream," respectively. Robert Rodriguez's trailer "Machete" is the only movie that is in the works, which stars Danny Trejo as a machete-wielding motorcyclist.
"Grindhouse" never ceases to entertain, thanks to the wonderfully cheesy acting, non-stop action sequences and witty dialogue. The scratched or missing reels in both parts recreate the charming low-budget quality of the exploitation films they mimic.
Rodriguez and Tarantino excel in the art of not taking themselves seriously, preferring instead to fulfill the audience's thirst for sensory pleasure. There's nothing better than watching Cherry pick off an army of zombies with an assault rifle attached to the stump of her leg. The ruthless directors make it clear that anything goes when Fergie's brains are mercilessly scooped out by a pack of hungry monsters. By the end, the random car explosions, buckets of blood, and a shameless body count will leave you unsure as to whether you should cringe or laugh.
Both "Planet Terror" and "Death Proof" have an interesting mix of famous faces and relatively unknown actors. In Rodriguez's part, Rose MacGowan, Freddy Rodr?guez and Josh Brolin all give excellent performances, each adding their own flair that fits right into this nitty-gritty slasher flick. Meanwhile, Kurt Russell shines in Tarantino's half as a stuntman who loses his mind whenever he gets behind the wheel.
Rodriguez, who writes, edits, produces, scores and directs most of his films, is the closest anyone can come to being a one-man movie crew. His deep involvement in nearly every aspect of the filmmaking process gives his work a unique style that rarely disappoints. His mastery of shoot-'em-up sequences and stylized gore puts most other action movies to shame.
Once again, Tarantino demonstrates his writing skills through long scenes of dialogue that build up the story and its characters all the way until the shocking climax. Nonetheless, the car chases take up a significant portion of the film, giving the audience a thrilling ride down the dirt roads of Texas.
The two powerhouse directors have succeeded in making the most original movie experience in years by showing off their rich cinematic culture and knack for old-fashioned entertainment. "Grindhouse" is by far the most bang for your buck at any local movie theater; just make sure you have the patience to sit through hours of wanton violence and absurdity.
