I saw Grindhouse on Friday night.
CAVEAT: This is two feature-length films in a row. That is, this movie is 3 hours and 20 minutes long. Yes, that's a damn long time for a movie. No, that doesn't adversely affect my opinion or recommendation.
This is really two movies - "Planet Terror" directed by Robert Rodriguez and "Deathproof" directed by Quentin Tarantino, reviewed separately below. Both directors 'aged' the films, adding scratches, dirt, and dust, to simulate the feel of the real Grindhouse films. Note that there were some hilarious fake movie previews interspersed here, including one directed by Rob Zombie (fake trailer segment "Werewolf Women of the S.S."). Whoah - "Apart from US theaters, the two segments started as individual movies and had different release dates in cinemas all around the world."
"Planet Terror
In "Planet Terror", a deadly pathogen is released on an army base and turns the townspeople into zombie-esque carnivores. Of course, they're lucky enough to have Rose McGowan and Freddy RodrÃguez around to battle the flesh-eating monsters, though McGowan uses a gun for a leg, as you've seen in the trailers (undoubtedly).
"Planet Terror" opened with McGowan giving a go-go dance. I can only begin to express how good an opening this is. It's probably 3 steps from softcore porn. I actually contemplated the beginning of this review at that time, ready to note that the movie went downhill from there.. only it didn't. "Planet Terror" is a beatem-up zombie action flick with plenty of blood, guts and zombies. (I would add in T&A except both movies had plenty of that.) Thankfully, the action never stops - it just keeps going. I really enjoyed this one.
"Deathproof"
"Deathproof" stars Kurt Russell as a psychotic driver who enjoys killing women.. up until he meets his match. This one is *slightly* less action-oriented, sporting some of that quintessential Tarantino dialogue. However, it also features a 30-minute long car chase scene that is simply intense. A great movie with a killer plot (pun!) and a fun time.
REACTION:
Good lord is this a good one. GO SEE THIS MOVIE, NOW! It's that good. Rodriguez and Tarantino successfully assemble a fantastic atmosphere that grabs you from the start and never lets go. It's also incredibly irreverent (mostly by not taking itself too seriously) and damn funny. Everyone in the theater was laughing and enjoying the ride. For that's what this truly is - a ride. You become a passenger through the twisted talents of two fantastic directors and a host of wonderful actors and actresses. They nailed it dead on. Just sit back and experience it. It may be long but you'll love every minute of it. I can say with no reserve that this one is about as perfect as you get for the goal (B-movie-esque "Grindhouse" flicks). I can't recommend it enough. Go see it.