Death Proof (2007)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Stars: Kurt Russell, Zoë Bell, Rosario Dawson
Runtime: 127 minutes

Synopsis: Two separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Editing: 9/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 10/10
Entertainment Factor: 10/10

Verdict: Considered by many to be Tarantino's worst work, I kept postponing "Death Proof" for years before I finally gave it a shot. I was in the mood for something fun, that doesn't require a lot of brainpower to take in, and I stumbled upon the first half of the Grindhouse double feature and thought to myself that it was about time to check it off my watchlist. So I sat back, pressed the play button, and... was charmed from beginning to end from what I now consider to be the most entertaining Tarantino flick to date. And if you're familiar with the director's body of work, you know that's saying something.

The film carries Tarantino's DNA in it as it features the usual gore, captivating dialogue, badass characters, and of course feet shots. However, what makes it stand out from his other projects is the fact that it was shot to resemble a B movie from the 1980s, making the ride one that fits Tarantino's style perfectly. Its editing and camera work are very self-aware and authentic in what they are attempting to achieve, making the final result a blast from start to finish.

Kurt Russell is great as Stuntman Mike, an antagonist that reminded a lot of Cape Fear's Max Cady. But the stars of the film are easily the very badass women featured in both the first and second acts of the film, played by names such as Rosario Dawson, Sydney Poitier (daughter of Sidney), Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, or Vanessa Ferlito. However, the actress that delivered a beast of a performance is Zoë Bell, a real-life stuntwoman who served as Uma Thurman's body double in the Kill Bill films. She even did her own crazy stunts in the film's exhilarating final 20 to 30 minutes which kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

If I ever had to choose a film to best represent what Tarantino is about, I'd probably pick "Death Proof". It's truly the pinnacle of entertainment and a film I can see myself rewatching many, many more times. It's got a lot of style and I believe that's the reason why it didn't sit well with a lot of people, but to me, that was definitely a touch that enhanced the overall experience.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10