Planet Terror (2007)

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writer:

Robert Rodriguez (written by)

Release Date:

21 June 2007 (Israel)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Fully Loaded

Plot:

After an experimental bio-weapon is released, turning thousands into zombie-like creatures, it's up to a rag-tag group of survivors to stop the infected and those behind its release.

Plot Keywords:

Fire | Merciless | Shot In The Chest | Jacket | Stabbed In The Back

Cast

Rose McGowan	...	Cherry
Freddy Rodríguez	...	Wray (as Freddy Rodriguez)
Josh Brolin	...	Block
Marley Shelton	...	Dakota
Jeff Fahey	...	J.T.
Michael Biehn	...	Sheriff Hague
Rebel Rodriguez	...	Tony
Bruce Willis	...	Muldoon
Naveen Andrews	...	Abby
Julio Oscar Mechoso	...	Romy
Stacy Ferguson	...	Tammy
Nicky Katt	...	Joe
Hung Nguyen	...	Dr. Crane
Cecilia Conti	...	Paramedic #1
Tommy Nix	...	Paramedic #2

Also Known As:

Grindhouse Presents: Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror (USA) (DVD title)
Project Terror (USA) (working title)
Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

95 min (original release) | 105 min (international version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Sweden:15 | Netherlands:16 | Japan:R-15 | UK:18 | New Zealand:R16 | Philippines:R-13 | Finland:K-18 | Germany:18 (cut) (DVD version) | Germany:18 (JK/SPIO) (special edition DVD) | Portugal:M/16 | Spain:18 | South Korea:18 | USA:Not Rated | Brazil:18 | Singapore:R21 | Ireland:16 | Italy:VM14 | Canada:16+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

Robert Rodriguez specifically wrote the part of Dakota for Marley Shelton after working with her on Sin City (2005).

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: As ‘Planet Terror’ is an homage to the old, low budget Grindhouse films of the 70's and 80's, there are many deliberate errors by the filmmaker to give an authentic Grindhouse feel.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Skip: Real pretty tonight, Holly. Goddammit, girls - if you're gonna do that shit, do it onstage! Smokin' hot. Whew!

Movie Connections:

References Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Soundtrack:

Two Against the World

Better than Tarantino's half...

Rodriguez's half of the original 'grindhouse' double bill , which consisted of his TERROR PLANET with Tarantino's DEATH PROOF. Likely audience reactions led to the two titles being separated and issued apart. As a homage to the drive-in tradition and genres beloved by Tarantino et al, the two films are resolutely exploitative, but PLANET is the most overtly tongue in cheek, and the most enjoyable, being a good old shoot 'em up Zombie flic. Unlike SIN CITY which was inspired by good source work which led to it being rather self consciously 'cool', PLANET tries hard to mimic bad work that, by definition of its admirers is *unconsciously* cool. This reviewer at least found the results less pretentious, the trash origins not being made more of than they ever were - the sexist treatment of women for instance less insidious.

The illusion of viewing much watched, much loved bad 70's junk cinema is extended even to the point of deliberately introducing blemishes to the film, also plot holes, as well as a whole 'missing reel' which interrupts the continuity, with suitable management apologies, half way through the action. Interestingly these artifacts on screen have a vivid presence, counterpointing key words and moments with an abstract, but deliberate commentary of colours, flares, clicks and splices that practically qualifies them as a 'character' in their own right. One especially relishes the colour balance slide to red as Tarantino (in a self-directed sequence playing a rapist) works his menace, or the apt film flare or burn outs during the erotic moments. Some great lines (e.g. Bruce Willis' opening words "Where's the sh*t?") and over the top gore add to a fun mix.

Perhaps the only miscalulation is the length of the film; most cheap exploitation flicks struggled to reach the 80 min mark, which meant their weaknesses did not always outstay their welcome. Clocking in at almost 2 hours, PLANET TERROR forgets eventually that more of the 'bad' to the Nth degree is not always to the best, revealing the self indulgence common to some of the later works of the Rodriguez-Tarantino school, but this is a minor quibble and fans won't mind. Whether or not those unfamiliar with the original inspiration will get the joke for that long is a different matter, although an audio track which includes live audience reaction makes things easier. The DVD comes complete with a splendid fake trailer for MACHETE, a supposed Mexploitation revenge drama - which incidentally IMDb seems to think is actually slated for production next year!