This was the first film in a double-feature homage to exploitation films of the seventies called Grindhouse. The second was Death Proof by Tarantino. Planet Terror was a much superior film in every aspect for me. It's jam-packed with well-done action and pyrotechnics. It's really fun and funny. It has great memorable characters. Yes it's a b-movie but it's one made with love and respect. Gross-out moments abound but beyond being disgusting and gory (which they are very much), they're usually quite amusing. It's an interesting paradox.
There are several small ingenious touches that make you feel as if you're really watching an old cheaply made movie in a cheap theater such as the scratchy and/or distorted pictures, the fake trailers and the public service announcements. There are a few uncredited cameos from famous people playing roles that will delight you. The acting overall is just in the right tone and spirit. The music, and especially the main theme, are perfect. Planet Terror despite its grandiose title is not a sci-fi flick, it's a zombie horror film taking place in a small southern us region. It's both inventive and a throw-back. It's likely you'll have a great time watching it provided you're not squeamish. Bravo for this successful experiment, at least for director Rodriguez's part.
Rating: 8 out of 10
There are several small ingenious touches that make you feel as if you're really watching an old cheaply made movie in a cheap theater such as the scratchy and/or distorted pictures, the fake trailers and the public service announcements. There are a few uncredited cameos from famous people playing roles that will delight you. The acting overall is just in the right tone and spirit. The music, and especially the main theme, are perfect. Planet Terror despite its grandiose title is not a sci-fi flick, it's a zombie horror film taking place in a small southern us region. It's both inventive and a throw-back. It's likely you'll have a great time watching it provided you're not squeamish. Bravo for this successful experiment, at least for director Rodriguez's part.
Rating: 8 out of 10