Review: Death Proof

May 25th 2007, 12:00am

DEATH
PROOF
Directed by:
Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Kurt Russell,
Rosario Dawson, Rose McGowan

PLOT:
A film about a Jungle Julia, a black DJ from Austin, who sets
out on a wild girls night out while attracting the attention of
handsome but dangerous Stuntman Mike. The film was originally
released with Robert Rodriguez PLANET TERROR in the

US

as the double feature called GRIND HOUSE. Tarantino extended and
independently released his half as DEATH PROOF in

Cannes

with added guilty pleasures.

CRITIQUE: By now we all know that visionary director Tarantino
has a special affinity for displaying violence in his films. DEATH
PROOF will be another one of his pulp culture classics to add to his
list with PULP FICTION on top. The
film displays long-winded yet witty dialogue, which I found
particularly amusing. It also allows us to build a better
understanding of the relationships between the characters while
getting to know them on a more intimate level. As expected, there is
a killer soundtrack to accompany every scene thus elevating the
thrill and action ride. Although
I am not big on blood and gore, Tarantino has mastered the art of
entertaining with such nostalgic enthusiasm and exploitative
violence, that it’s almost humorous.
His deep, artistic vision is vibrant and defined, making the
film an enjoyable ride from beginning to end.

The film is perfectly cast with Sydney Tamiia Poitier and
Kurt Russell as the lead in this exciting, ensemble piece. Poitier
is an approachable, grounded actress while Russell wears a different
hat with a passion to kill and fulfill his character’s desires. As
usual, Tarantino also makes a cameo appearance but lingers a little
too long for his own good. There are many other adrenaline driven
race and chase action scenes that are exciting and arousing.
The fight for survival becomes an exhilarating journey till
the end. Although this marks the first real real bad guy role
for Russell, I think he did a remarkable job with his comical and
intriguing disguise. Like all
Tarantino’s other films, DEATH PROOF moves along efficiently.
Despite all the violence throughout the film, I remain a big fan of
Tarantino’s and can’t help but be visually pleased time and time
again with what he has to offer on the big screen.
I enjoyed the film regardless of all the criticisms and
innuendos and look forward to seeing it again.
— 7/10