Dimension Films (The Weinstein Company)Two of America’s most esteemed directors, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, have come together to create a movie that gives praise to ’70s double features that once ruled crummy theaters. Both films, “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof,” offer up a bit of nostalgia for old-timers, and they give the present generation a taste of how things used to be.
“Grindhouse” begins with crackling and choppy film reels that bring in the text “Our Feature Presentation” with some partially drowned elevator music. Then we are thrown right into “Planet Terror,” which begins with a sensational Rose McGowan pole-dancing and giving her own reflection a kiss. As Quentin Tarantino said before he and Rodriguez began shooting the movie: “There should always be a lesbian kiss just around the corner.possibly.” Not to be perverted, but to stay true to the genre and times they are depicting.
“Planet Terror” is a horror lover’s dream come true. Bruce Willis stars as Muldoon, a corrupt Army leader, whose chemical experiments have gone awry and are wreaking havoc across the planet. The substance turns anybody in its path into a bloodsucking, appendage-stealing zombie.
To save the day, or maybe just themselves, comes Sheriff Hague (Michael Biehn), Wray (Freddy Rodriguez), Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan), Dr. Dakota Block (Marley Shelton), Deputy Tolo (Tom Savini) and a couple other no name misfits who try their best to keep life and limb out of the hands of the living dead.
The movie revels in over-the-top action, B-rate humor and a grossness that could only come with this type of film. Michael Biehn’s off-color, over-dramatic humor was better than paying to see a stand-up comedian, and Rose McGowan’s performance was outstanding. She plays a dancer, wannabe stand-up comedian, whose leg is ripped off and replaced with a machine-gun/ grenade launcher. Her performance is perfect for the role, being as pseudo-serious and funny as she can be.
“Planet Terror” is a great start to a wonderful double feature.
