Planet Terror (www.the-usher.com)

"That's great barbecue"

When an experimental bio-weapon is accidentally released, the world starts to go to hell. As thousands turn into flesh-eating monsters, a lone group of survivors battle to stay alive and take the fight to the people who released it. Led by Wray (Rodriguez), a loner fighter determined to kill as many of the creatures as he can, and the beautiful Cherry Darling (McGowan), a stripper turned killing machine, the group have to escape the marauding hordes and the military forces trying to cover everything up.

The 'Grindhouse' experiment may have failed at the US box office but does that mean that Robert Rodriguez's 'Planet Terror' should be missed, definitely not!

When Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino announced that they were bringing back the double feature, the movie world was intrigued but when 'Grindhouse' was released the movie going public wasn't impressed. While some argued that it was because Quentin Tarantino's 'Death Proof' didn't really capture the essence of the 70s exploitation flicks that graced the dingy cinemas that couldn't afford to get the biggest blockbusters of the time, Rodriguez's 'Planet Terror' is a completely different experience however.

As soon as the fake teaser trailer for 'Machete' starts, you know that Robert Rodriguez has completely got the concept of recreating the low budget, exploitation films that graced Grindhouse picture houses in the 70s and 80s.The writer/director/editor/producer/musician throws everything into the movie and delivers an all-out science fiction horror fest that filled to the brim with blood, gore and flying body parts as well as an all-star cast that throws themselves into their parts and the concept.

While the premise of a virus sweeping the planet and turning people into the living dead, crazed for the taste of human flesh is nothing new, after the renaissance of the zombie movie since the beginning of the new millennium, 'Planet Terror' brings something new and old to the reinvigorated genre. Never taking itself seriously too seriously, the film delivers all out action and over blood and gore by the bucket load. It is this over the top approach that makes the movie so enjoyable and reminiscent of the films it is playing homage to.

The cast are excellent and throw themselves into their roles. Freddy Rodríguez proves that anyone can become an action star with his first attempt at taking on all comers. He is excellent as Wray, the car mechanic with a violent past who can take the fight to anyone. Rose McGowan plays stripper turned killing machine Cherry Darling in a role that is bound to become a trademark of her career. While Josh Brolin's Hollywood star is heading towards critical and commercial superstardom, he shows that he can still have fun as the evil Dr. Block. Marley Shelton continues to be a Rodriguez favourite as Dakota, the doctor with heart and is deadly with a needle. Michael Biehn and Jeff Fahey as Sheriff Hague and his brother, barbecue specialist J.T. bring action and humour to the proceedings. Add to this significant cameos from Naveen Andrews, Stacy Ferguson, Tom Savini, Carlos Gallardo, Quentin Tarantino and Bruce Willis and you have a really good cast who throw themselves into their roles.

'Planet Terror' is a blood filled, gore fest that completely captures the 70s/80s exploitation movies that the 'Grindhouse' experiment was trying to play homage to. While the film maybe a little too gruesome for some and over the top for others but fans of B-Movies and Robert Rodriguez fans alike with absolutely revel in this piece of pulp fiction joy.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.

BONUS FEATURES

Disc 1

Commentary by writer/director Robert Rodriguez
The writer/director/producer/cinematographer/editor/musician gives hit usual fascinating insight into the production of his latest movie. Taking you though the evolution of the 'Grindhouse' project, his own approach to the film, where his ideas came from and the 70s approach, this is another excellent commentary from one of the most inventive and creative filmmakers working in the business at the moment.

View the film with audience reaction track
Watch the movie with a track recorded at a screening of the film to an American audience, as they cheer, clap, whistle and laugh through the film. This is a little off putting for a British audience how are used to watching films a little more quietly.

Comic-Con 2006: Featuring the Directors and Cast of Grindhouse (23.24 mins) Directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino are joined by 'Planet Terror' and 'Death Proof' stars Rose McGowan, Marley Shelton, Rosario Dawson, Sydney Poitier, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Zoe Bell for a question and answer session at the event in San Diego in 2006. Funny and filled before 'Death Proof' started production, it is great to see the enthusiasm of the people behind the project.

International Poster Gallery
View the posters that promoted the movie around the world

Trailers
Watch the two trailers that promoted the movie on the Internet and at the cinema

Previews
Watch trailers for 'Death Proof', 'Vexille' and 'The Hunting Party'

Disc 2

10 Minute Film School (11.51 mins)
The now famous Robert Rodriguez featurette sees the director take you through the machine gun leg sequence, the animatics of the film, how the film was aged, the effects and the stunts of 'Planet Terror'.

The Badass Babes of Planet Terror (11.52 mins)
Director Robert Rodriguez and stars Rose McGowan, Marley Shelton, Stacy Ferguson and twins Electra and Elise Avellan talk about their kick ass characters and starring in a movie with positive female roles.

The Guys of Planet Terror (16.30 mins)
Director Robert Rodriguez and stars Freddy Rodríguez, Josh Brolin, Naveen Andrews, Tom Savini, Michael Biehn, Jeff Fahey, Quentin Tarantino, Rose McGowan and Marley Shelton talk about the male roles in 'Planet Terror'.

Casting Rebel (5.35 mins)
Director Robert Rodriguez and stars Marley Shelton and Josh Brolin talk about working with the director's son, Rebel who plays Tommy in 'Planet Terror'.

Sickos, Bullets and Explosions: The Stunts of Planet Terror (13.17 mins)
Director Robert Rodriguez, stunt coordinator Jeff Dashnaw and stars Freddy Rodríguez, Rose McGowan and Marley Shelton talk about the stunts of the movie and how they had to get involved doing their own stunt work.

The Friend, the Doctor and the Real Estate Agent (6.41 mins)
Director Robert Rodriguez reveals how his best friend Tommy, this doctor, Dr Felix Sabates and his Texan Real Estate Agent Skip Reissig all got starring roles in the movie.

OVERALL

The two-disc DVD treatment for 'Planet Terror' is good but not as good as it could have been. While the commentary track is extremely good and the featurettes cover the basic aspects of the film's production but you do have the feeling that there could have been a little more. Maybe this will come in the 'Grindhouse' release, when and if it arrives.

DVD

Death Proof

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2007