Death Proof is Tarantino's Joy Ride

Quentin Tarantino has trademarks in all of his movies. Watching Death Proof is like watching a toned-down version of Pulp Fiction, only it’s horror and suspense instead of crime drama, and there’s women instead of hitmen. Some of it plays like an inside joke, but when you know the inside jokes, it makes it worth it. Without understanding the jokes, you’re going to be bored for awhile before the fun for everyone comes around.

Death Proof follows Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell of Backdraft and Tombstone), a retired stuntman of long-forgotten TV shows now living out a fetish for killing women by means of his “death-proof” 1970 Chevy Nova and 1969 Dodge Charger. The potential victims include a radio personality and her friends, a girl just looking for a safe ride from the bar, and stuntwoman Zoe Bell (stunt double for Uma Thurman in Kill Bill) as herself pulling a wild and crazy stunt. Any further attempts to explain the plot would ruin the movie, as most of it relies on the unexpected for desired results.

I can say the movie is unconventional as Quentin Tarantino is fearless in his imagination and directing. He’s not afraid to turn the movie around 180 halfway through to shake up the audience and send chills. Right when we believe the movie is heading one way, Quentin pulls the rug out and the rest of the movie is watched from the floor. His style shines from the usual Tarantino dialogue, making all the characters more human. Other strong parts are movie references to cars, as well as some of the best stunt-work I’ve seen in a long time. No CGI or special effects here. Even the crashes are as real as they could be made. Just a few minutes of the special features will give you a new appreciation for stuntwork.

The movie faces two problems. First, it is slow-moving. Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, and Kill Bill all start off with killers. Death Proof saves anything on the killing subject for after the movie has found its way. Up until that point, we see why we loved the killers in previous Tarantino films: because they’re what kept it entertaining!

Second, if you aren’t familiar with Tarantino’s movies, you will seriously miss out on parts of the movie. Kill Bill characters and wardrobe, Uma Thurman’s stunt-double, the big kahuna burger, and yet another discussion on how foot massages are not in the same ballpark as sex all find their way into another Tarantino film.

Eventually, Tarantino makes up for these. The second half will have everyone’s undivided attention, and the uneventful beginning was needed to make the later part entertaining. He turns a very simple plot, puts great dialogue and car chases behind it, and makes a film having its viewers gasp, cringe, and laugh louder than they have in any other Tarantino movie. Few directors could put such quality behind their ideas, but Tarantino’s ideas are very little until he puts a camera behind it. If you have watched the previous Tarantino films, the references are worth their time, humorous at some moments, other moments they give you the confidence Tarantino is doing everything for a reason.

The DVD is the extended and unrated version. The extras aren’t important, as I miss the spoof previews provided in theaters with the Grindhouse Double-Feature. A small segment on the stunts reminds us of the level of work required and how the cast and crew went about it, making the chase scene mean more when watched again. A few extra angles of the car chases may spark your interest.

The movie itself, an approximate 23 minutes longer, is the real pleasure of the DVD. Included are segments to develop Rosario Dawson’s character and to make Russell more creepy, showing more perversion in his actions. A real guilty pleasure for the guys is the infamous lap dance scene, not shown in theaters. A smoother transition is provided, making it easier to watch it as one movie instead of what could almost be two short movies.

Is it entertaining? The beginning is slow, but once Kurt Russell gives us an evil grin, the slow parts are worth the wait and you will buckle up for a ride.

Is it for everyone? The Grindhouse and Tarantino references will go over some people’s heads, while giving others the confidence the film will be worth it. A decent stomach and a laid-back sense of humor will help. Unconventional movies don’t always help, and the low theatrical sales showed this. But…

Is it memorable? Death Proof will be brought up in car chase conversations for years to come. The classic Tarantino dialogue of the women, their sex lives (or lack thereof) is as good as conversations about ballparks and royales with cheese. The movie will be remembered like other Tarantino films, and not in a bad light.

My suggestion? If you like the previous Tarantino films, or Grindhouse, Death Proof is
worth its money. Even if you already own the theatrical version of Death Proof, or intend to own the theatrical Grindhouse Double-Feature, the extended and unrated Death Proof is worth renting for its complete form.