“Fuckin Legendary Mate”

With the release of Inglorious Basterds this past friday I wanted to take the time to talk about a Tarantino I feel is criminally underrated. A film that is often called “boring”, “pointless”, and “annoying”. I’m talking about Death Proof, Tarantinos contribution to Grindhouse. Rather then tackle all the critiscms people throw at this badass film, I’m going to simply praise it, since I think it needs as much as it can get.

Simply put this film combines some of the things I love very most in this world and just throws it all together. First off, American muscle cars. I’m a huge car nut, and my favorite cars being American vehicles. This film is chock full of some of the best muscle America has to offer. Stuntman Mikes 1972 Chevy Nove and his monster 1971 Charger. The beautiful 1972 Mustang Mach 1 and of course the “legendary” 440 HEMI Dodge Challenger, a throw back to the classic Vanishing Point (which I’ll touch on more in a second). It’s amazing watching these cars roar down the highway as they bash into each other.

Second, the women. First of all, all these women are fine as hell. Second of all they (the second group) drive beast muscle cars. Third they watch movies like Vanishing Point. If there is one thing I love in a film it’s a kick ass female. Roasario Dawson is the foxiest of the bunch and I love her performance. Zoe Bell, is also cool, and crazy as hell. Watching her dangle from the hood of the white Challenger, holding on for dear life is always a thrill no matter how many times you’ve watched the movie.

Third is the films location. It takes place in the middle of nowhere. Whether it’s a small town, or a barren old highway, this film is pure country. I love that, I love the country. I love all the old winding highways of the old days and the charm of a small town. I just can’t express enough how much I love the atmosphere and setting. And finally the soundtrack. Every song in this film is the style of old music I listen to frenquently. THe old rock n roll or blues of the 60s. Nothing else is better.

Most of all though, this film is just an incredible tribute to the old road films of the 60s and 70s. Greats like Vanishing Point, Dirty Mary Crazy Larry, Two Lane Black Top, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Bullit and many more. They just don’t make them like that anymore. At least I thought they didn’t, until Tarantino made Death Proof. Besides the characters mentioning the films, every now and then Tarantino brings along a shot just like one from the classic days. I wish we could see a revival in the road film, and perhaps we could if this film had been successful.  Yeah the dialouge is objective, but I don’t see how anyone can not love this movie. Everytime it ends and the credits roll I can’t help but think “Now thats a movie!”.