Why Grindhouse Will One Day Get The Classic Status It Deserves
When I first saw the trailer for Grindhouse, I remember thinking of a quote from a film critic at the time, “just the trailer is more entertaining than most feature films out right now.” That pretty much sums up how I feel about the movie. And ironic that the beginning and middle had fake Grindhouse throwback trailers from other noted horror directors such as Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving with the famous tag line “white meat, dark meat, all will be served” and Robert Rodriguez’s Machete “they just fucked with the wrong Mexican” which he eventually turned into a real full-length feature starring Danny Trejo, and it’s incredibly awesome. I mean, any movie with Cheech Marin as a shotgun-wielding priest is alright in my book.
Grindhouse was the brainchild of filmmakers and collaborative buddies Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who first started working together on From Dusk Till Dawn. They swap ideas, help with plot details, and even act in each other's projects. It was their love letter to the B low-budget exploitation horror movies of the 70s they both grew up on that played in Grindhouse theaters typically of the stanky AF nature where they would slash ticket prices and have round the clock showings to whoever and whatever was there at the time. It was dirty, real dirty. A pre Disneyfication era, I sadly missed out on but not so sadly missed all the STDs that came along with it.
I couldn't believe how fun Grindhouse looked. I thought damn I am the target demographic for this film; they made it just for me! Well, not only for me for my buddy and the two other people that were in the theatre when we saw it. I couldn't believe it; I was so sad there wasn't a loud rollicking crowd cheering during this late-night drive in style blast of a movie. It hit with a thud; the opening weekend was crickets despite excellent reviews. I couldn't believe it! I seriously don’t remember having more of a blast at the theatre. We were laughing, cheering, and completely blown away that two of our favorite directors made this movie!
Unfortunately, we were mostly alone in that sentiment. Grindhouse was a complete and unexpected dud. Still unbelievable when you think about not only the talent involved but also just how damn entertaining the movie was. WTF?! I honestly kind of took it personally. After all these years, it still baffles me. But the fact that Big Trouble In Little China wasn't a hit still baffles me as well. But I digress.
The fake opening trailers and 70s cinema advertisements in true Grindhouse fashion set the tone for how fun this roller coaster is going to be. The first feature is Rodriguez’s Planet Terror, which is arguably the better of the two - an action zombie throwback that’s equal parts Dawn Of The Dead and Escape From New York. The latter being a massive influence on the score which Rodriguez did himself along with the Cinematography. What doesn't that guy do? Following a gogo dancer named Cherry Darling and her ex-boyfriend El Ray, those names are worth the price of admission, by the way. They end up on an action-filled adventure fending off rotting zombies, biochemical scientists, and mutant soldiers. Packed with enough action, thrills, gross-outs, explosions, and humor to last a few movies and not to mention Rose McGowan has a leg that turns into a freakin machine gun that blows zombies away. If that’s not enough to win you over, I don’t know what is.
After a brief intermission of more insane fake trailers comes Tarantino’s Death Proof. A girl power badass car chase movie with Kurt Russell as the villain, once again, what else do you need people? After the first group of girls we meet and spend lots of build-up time with and classic long-winded QT Dialogue have their unfortunate run-in with the charming yet psychotic murderer stuntman Mike McKay, we meet another group of lovely young gals led by the badass real-life stunt woman played by Zoe Bell. She was Uma Thurman's real stunt double in Kill Bill. Have to love QT that he said listen I know you’re a stuntwoman, but I want you to Star in this film. She kills it. No pun intended.
Things go from bad to worse when Mike catches the new group of girls alone on the road for one of the most exciting non-CGI car chases in recent memory. Not only is the driving amazing, but Zoe Bell is playing a stuntwoman doing her stunts, well duh. The kick ass ending of revenge and payback on Stuntman Mike is such a celebration of girl power, coupled with another incredible soundtrack from Tarantino. I remember thinking girls are going to go nuts for this. They didn't.
Now I get that Grindhouse was for a specific audience, and one they completely overestimated would show up to support this movie, but I still feel it didn't get it's just due. It could have been timing, and there are also rumors that Harvey Weinstein slashed the marketing budget because he didn't want Rose McGowan in it who famously came out against him years later and started the Me Too movement. But I guess we’ll never know precisely why it flopped.
Tarantino is open about letting it die as his one baby that didn't make it past birth and turned is focus on making Inglorious Bastards next. Rodriguez double downed and made Machete, which ironically did well at the box office. God bless his soul.
One day I will have my Grindhouse revenge, and people will realize how great this masterpiece is. Even if I have to hold screenings myself, I will do it—Mark my words.