Planet Terror (2 Discs)

Perhaps all films should be like Planet Terror. A homage to the great low budget Carpenter films and straight to video Italian rip offs like Bronx Warriors and Atlantis Interceptors; with their hand drawn covers to entice young kids to rent them, only to be disapointed at the badly dubbed actors and lacklustre set-pieces, another lot of carwashing money down the drain. Yet Planet Terror IS the movie you so wanted those Italian post-apocalyptic movies to be. Action-packed, gorgeous girls, disgustingly funny, twisted gore, killer lines and outrageous fire power. Thank the lord. Thank Robert Rodriguez. Wait for Machete.

For those who weren't aware of the whole Grindhouse scenario let me fill you in Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino (The directors of the sensation that would have been the Grindhouse double bill - but unfortunately now shown separately as Planet terror and Death Proof ) are both director buddies and one day when they met up at Robs house to watch a movie Quentin saw that Rob had the same poster on his wall as he did (An old Grindhouse flick) they thought, as I do, that this form of cinema was a very influential and individual therefore something that was worth their making a tribute to. This would also allow today's generation to be exposed to what would otherwise be a lost cinematic genre. It is akin to the recent revival of making big budget musicals. In Grindhouse the idea was also to give cinema goers two movies for the price of one, like you would have at old drive in cinemas (which in the case of both directors was an influential experience of their childhoods.) These aren't films you are meant to go to and watch just the surface of the movie. They must be seen in the context of what they are paying homage to and how skillfully this is pulled off in both films. They are bloody, they are gruesome, they are exploitative but -THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE PAYING HOMAGE TO. If it was a French director paying homage to an old style of French film, they'd be nominated for an Oscar! The fact the two films had to be split due to it being an initial box-office bomb shows the lack of true movie appreciation of movie-goers today. They can hack sitting through three and a bit hours of 'how many times does this film have to end before it actually ends' Lord of the Rings Return of the King (I do actually like the first two movies) but not manage to view two films of an hour and a half back to back with some quirky specially shot adverts in between by big upcoming film makers and some horror legends. This does not bode well for how able we are to appreciate an original and thoughtful revival of a classic form of American cinema when nothing similar exists today.

Given the afore mentioned split forces me to review the films separately I shall do so also, so as to further correct the inaccurate and/or uninformed reviews I have read previously. I'll start with Death Proof. The split of Grindhouse has, though has damaged the cinema experience that could have been had, doesn't damage the great content within the two films. Death Proof is a truly original bit of film making. Though paying a clear tribute to films of the past, Tarantino has also truly put his individual stamp on this film.
Kurt Russell (SNAKE PLISKIN RULES!) is incredible in this film playing Stuntman Mike. Words cannot summarize just how fantastically he has brought such a character to life. This film also has some truly tough heroines, something still not really seen in cinema. I don't like to play favorites with two such great movies but I will admit Death Proof is my favorite of the two Grindhouse movies. Now for Planet Terror (directed by Robert Rodriguez), I think the split has perhaps effected this film slightly due to it forcing Rodriguez to add scenes to the film he had taken out to make the film longer. However it doesn't stop the film from being a worthy addition to the showcase of films that demonstrate the talent of some modern day filmmakers. Rodriguez I believe is an exceptional director; I don't think I'd be exaggerating to even say one of the best, as is Tarantino. It is also a well acted and exciting film boasting an exceptional cast; it is a showcase of legendary B-movie actors as well as some upcoming stars.

Yes this is the first half of the grindhouse double bill that was meant to be, and its the one that doesnt suffer from the split.

Planet terror is a homage to sleazy, made for a 100 bucks movies made in the 70's and its the one of the best movies in years with great entertainment, where else could you see a beautiful rose mcgowan use a gun for a leg, pure genius.

Its action packed with explosive stunts, its humourous and ever so grusome, its got missing reels of film so just when you think you about to see something exciting it misses a tiny chunk out and picks up a scene later.

Its fun and exciting its like nothing you've ever seen before and will have you laughing or puking or both all the way through, excellent movie with a great cast and director.

Definitely the better of the two Grindhouse movies, this is gory, violent, and awesome. All the characters have stepped straight out of a horror B movie and the lead from Freddy Rodriguez as El Wray is great - badass tattoos, wields butterfly knives, criminal history, unknown past, he is the epitome of cool. This film is worth a watch and in my opinion is a good addition to the collection.

This film is funny, gorey, intersting, complex....and cheesy :) I love how it's done to look like an old film, I love how it cuts out a huge, important part of the film due to missing film, and I even love the trailer for 'Machete' before the film. The gore is amazingly realistic and Rose McGowan plays a great, tough ass chick. 'Humaity's last hope rests on a high power machine gun' Briliant!