Gearing Down in Quentin
Taratino's Death Proof
Rating: 2 and 1 Half Stars
See FFR's Four Star Rating Scheme
Over this last year's Easter weekend, a double feature titled Grindhouse was released to poor box-office and mixed critical reception.  The project was the brainchild of filmmakers Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, and was intended as a fun homage to the drive-in exploitation and b-movies of yesteryear.  Two full-length movies were included: Rodriquez’s Planet Terror and Tarantino’s Death Proof.  The two films were packaged with fake coming attractions for non-existent horror and action movies.  They were tampered with to make them look like sixth generation prints – complete with “missing reels,” bad jump cut editing, and overall wear and tear.  After the disappointing theatrical success of the package as a whole, the powers that be decided to release the films separately on video.  The first one out was the recently released Death Proof.

Tarantino’s take on outrageous car chase films is peppered with props to serial killer flicks as well.  Kurt Russell plays ‘Stuntman Mike’, an aging stuntman/ stand-in that spends his time stalking young women in his ‘death-proof’ automobile.  Much of the movie is mostly a showcase for Tarantino's infamous dialogue.  Exchanges between two groups of sexy girls constitute almost the entire film’s running time, which presented here as a stand-alone feature is extended to nearly two hours.  The bad acting and cornball conversation is only half intentional, and the movie threatens to stall out completely a few times between the two good bits that make it worth watching.

Kurt Russell is clearly the star here and does a great job during his somewhat limited time onscreen as the suave yet demented villain.  The rest of the cast is a mixed bag, but there are a few standouts - including real-life stuntwoman Zoë Bell (who doubled Uma Thurman in QT’s Kill Bill), and the beautiful Vanessa Ferlito as 'Butterfly.'  The bottom line depends on your stomach for such a joy ride, and for the geeked-out self-indulgence of Tarantino and company.  But this is definitely one twisted and funny film – especially on the second and third viewing.  Fans of the director's quirky and cool signature style will love it.
Walt is Senior Writer for www.featurefilmreview.com. Email comments to walter (at) featurefilmreview (dot) com.