Planet Terror (DVD, 2007, 2-Disc Set, Extended Director's Cut)

'PLANET TERROR' (UNRATED): When flesh-eating, puss-oozing, blood-splattering Zombies are nipping at your heels, among other extremities, who better to save you than a one-legged sexy-hot stripper; standing tall atop a Machine Gun Prosthesis?
That's the exuberantly trashy conceit of 'Planet Terror' (2007) which is flat-out "AWESOME" in every detail. Robert Rodriguez's tongue-in-cheek tribute to those 'Grindhouse Splatterfests' that he & buddy Quentin Tarantino revere. Originally paired with Tarantino's 'Death Proof' in the "Grindhouse" double-bill, Rodriguez's sci-fi/horror flick is wild, gory fun for exploitation film connoisseurs, who will revel in every deliberately blurred image, desaturated frame and missing reel painting flawlessly into 'Planet Terror'.
No Cinematic Excess is too wretched for Rodriguez, whose "Down and Dirty" filmmaking aesthetic is on full display in 'Planet Terror', starring Rose McGowan (whom Rodriguez left his wife for in real life now). She plays Cherry, a stripper in a Texas backwater town, whose pole-dancing days come to a sudden, bloody end, after the release of a Biochemical Weapon begins turning people into Zombies.
Saved by Ex-Boyfriend Wray (Freddie Rodriguez), a tattooed killing machine with a shadowy past, Cherry tables her dreams to mow down those rampaging Zombies. Along with a handful of survivors, including lissome Anesthesiologist Dakota Block (Marley Shelton), Sheriff Hague (Michael Biehn) and Barbecue Joint Owner JT (Jeff Fahey), Cherry and Wray try to blast their way to safety, only to run up against the Infected Soldiers led by Muldoon (Bruce Willis).
In his commentary track, Rodriguez shares that he approached 'Planet Terror' as if he were a first-time Director, cranking out a 'Drive-In Flick' in record time for schlock maven Roger Corman. He also wanted to recreate the 'Grindhouse' experience for viewers as faithfully as possible.
Hence, the smudged, grainy images, truncated editing and burn marks in 'Planet Terror' and Rodriguez's trailer for the "Mexploitation" flick 'Machete', starring Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin. All these retro cinematic flourishes and narrative hiccups will be embraced by ardent film fans who came of age watching those grade-Z films in the 1970s and 1980s.
Yet even those viewers who share Rodriguez's affection for 'Grindhouse Cinema' may experience "Schlock Fatigue" watching 'Planet Terror'; as from the beginning it's brutality is exhilirating !! The constant barrage of Gore and Gunplay ultimately proving exhilaration throughout 'Planet Terror'.
Straight-Up; Rodriguez's latest Hyper-Kinetic Action/Horror Hybrid is a Blood-Splatterring Hoot !!
Guaranteed New Iconic Classic !!
5-Star "Grindhouse Splatterfest" - MUST SEE !!

First off, I thought when I started to write this review it was for both Planet Terror & Death Proof, as they came in a bundled package. So this review is for both. A quick summary, Death Proof = SHOCK/Realistic. Planet Terror = Horror/fantasy.

Let's start with Death Proof. You might not realize it untill the end but this is a "girl power" flick. I originally saw this movie on cable demand and immediately had to have a copy. Kurt Russell in an un-expected roll. Great car battling. First vintage chevy Nova vs Honda. Second half Mopar challenger vs charger. Kids would probably want to see this, though I know my parents wouldn't have let me. These days we're more conditioned for this type of movie but still, I don't know if I would let the kids see this unless they are fully in understanding of special effects and that what is happening is not real cause at times, it really looked it. Limbs get ripped off in both Death Proof & Planet Terror so be prepared. Death Proof takes a while to get going but halfway you get it. At times you think your watching an old movie but it was intentional. When you see Kurt Russell and know how old he is, and the age of the the first car full of girls(I think a honda civic?), (Jungle Julie's) you realize it's a new movie. The first part of the movie is shocking so when you get to the end you are expecting an even greater shock but it's a surprise ending that I don't want to spoil so I'll say if you were afraid, by the end you will feel a bit relieved. The second half was more enjoyable than the first half so if you can make it through the first crash, and you feel badly, you will feel better at the ending. Let's just say, pay-back time. (this is what I would call girl power, having a daughter I was relieved)

Planet Terror on the other hand was an all out ZOMBIE crazed movie unlike any other I've seen. Various sub-plots made it somewhat interesting. If your a fan of the barbecue, you will get a kick out of the sauce. The special effects are top notch in both movies, but again, if you don't like blood, lots of blood, bodies torn apart and violence, don't buy. If you are into Zombies, it's the best I've seen by far and is an instant classic for sure. A must have. Bruce Willis stars in this flick but plays a small role which is somewhat key to the story but his role is tame compared to what else goes on. At first your on the edge of your seat when you see such beautiful girls "get it".... but after awhile you get used to it. It has a bit of humor to it as well so it takes the hard edge off.

I liked both these movies, very unusual, and entertaining, but again, only if you like these type of shock/horror/zombie blood/gore gallore type movies. Both movies will stay in your mind for a long time so it would probably be best to make your kids wait until they can handle it. Great drive-in flicks.

In closing, Planet Terror was actually more gory, but was more expected throughout for the type of movie it was. Death Proof is a movie that could actually be REAL or happen in real life so it's much more shocking. Death Proof can leave a lasting impression of what can happen in a car accident so is scarier. I guess, in a way it could be good for your kids to see this movie, they will think twice before doing drugs or alcohol before driving as they will see very visually the danger/consequences.

NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART.

It has that feel to it, what you'd expect from Quentin.
Takes zombie movies to a whole new place while looking like it had done so about thirty years ago!
You can't help but feel like you're in the seat in the old theater again, watching some B reel Saturday afternoon horror flick.
The only thing reminding you that you aren't are the faces.
Jeff Fahey, Michael Biehn, Josh Brolin, Rose McGowan and Freddy Rodriguez along with another couple of names keep you wondering what year it is!
The entire production will tease your sense of dating with obvious film problems, frame breaks and even a seeming film break! Director Robert Rodriguez shines!
This extended and unrated version is obviously the best choice, as it has two discs packed with goodies and extras.
The audience reaction track is awesome to play during the movie! Great idea!
Quentin, you did it again!
Like the box says, "An instant classic!"

By now, ten years after Pulp Fiction, five years after Kill Bill, and several years after Sin City....well, you should, at the very least, have some notion of what this movie would be like. If that's percisley why you're interested....let me say you will not be disappointed.

This part of Grind House is an absolute blast. The action is great, the story even better. Also, Rodriguez makes very good use of camera effects to create a style that is true to the 70's cinema - even throwing in some film hiccups here and there. There are also classic 70's characters and scene set-up / dialouges. There are some things that go unexplained in this movie, but I find the fact that it's not explained much more interesting than some contrived reason or backstory. (ie: who is El Wray and why does everyone seem to know him?)

This movie is an absolute blast from beginning to end with many unexpected laughs. Parents should know it has no problem earning every bit of its "R" rating.

As I said, by now you should know what you're getting into with this movie..and if that's percisely the reason you're interested in it you'll not be disappointed!

Every so often a movie comes around that just strikes a chord in you. GRINDHOUSE's PLANET TERROR was one of those for me. This is a movie that just "goes there" and makes no apologies for it. This movie is sexy, funny and gory all at once. A lot of people didn't get it (or rather, didn't see it) with it's aged look with all the scratches and dings and such, but is was an homage to older movies that had been "grinded" out over and over at different movie houses. This is Rose McGowans best role, and a star making turn for Josh Brolin. Being such a huge fan I had to get the steelbook edition of this DVD. The extended version was cool, just a lot of character moments mostly but there's still enough blood and guts to go around. I mean, I liked DEATH PROOF the other half of Grindhouse (especially the extended version) but PLANET TERROR was the one for me. Now if we can get a proper version of GRINDHOUSE out there....