Grindhouse: Planet Terror (2007)

- written January 14th, 2011

Summary: After an experimental bio-nerve gas is accidentally released at a remote U.S. military base in Texas, those exposed to the gas turn into flesh-eating, mutating zombies out to kill. An assortment of various people who include stripper Cherry, her shady mechanic ex-boyfriend Wray, a strong-willed doctor, the local sheriff, and an assortment of various people must join forces to survive the night as the so-called "sickos" threaten to take over the whole town and the world.           Overall: Nothing irritates me as much as films that think they are “cool” and try to be “more cool.” It’s as if every word of dialogue here was meant to be a one-liner the viewer is expected to memorize for quoting later on. The film itself isn’t as much a movie as it’s trying to be “an experience.” Everything about the film is contrived and set-up to do more and be more than it is. It’s a zombie film that wants to be the best zombie film ever. Each character specifically created to appear in their own scenes. Nothing about it is real…or trying to be. It’s a film about film characters dealing with a situation. It’s nothing about realism but all about attitude. And to me, that’s no entertainment. A film worth quoting is a film that is underrated and grows on you and your friends over time. It’s a film that contributes topics that we can relate to some or all of it and makes a difference in our lives. None of that applies here.           And seriously…the whole machine-gun leg thing…That was bad. Not just cheesy, silly, and flat out lame. It’s god-awful filmmaking. Who the hell creates ideas like that and expects the viewer to buy into it. Really???? I can’t suspend my disbelief that much, after already having done so for the previous 80 minutes. You lost me there!           Now…I will give you 2 positive aspects of the film. One is the gore and effects involving the scenes where the cars/trucks are driving off to safety and running over the zombies. Now that was some good effects, some good work there. Secondly, I enjoyed the compilation of actors and their expert acting abilities. They truly pulled off the very annoying characters that they role-played. Otherwise…for those who avoided seeing the film..continue to do so.           Comparison: Dawn of the Dead meets Sin City

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