The lower profile part of Grindhouse, Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror, finally gets its UK cinematic bow.
But how does it shape up?
So thats what it isnt what is it?
At its heart is supposedly the release of a bio-weapon, turning thousands into zombie-like creatures.
Quite strangely, though, the film skips most of the conventional narrative of zombies taking over.
Or what exactly the zombies do.
Or where they are, or why.
Past this point, though, the film could cut the vast majority of the characters.
And thats the problem withPlanet Terror, as was already discovered withGrindhouseas a whole its absurdly self-indulgent.
Sure, that often amounts to little more than squelchy imagination and a fair few kick-ass action sequences.
But what more were you expecting?
Planet Terrormay not return Rodriguez to hisFrom Dusk Til Dawnheights, and it doesnt redeemGrindhouseas a whole.
But it is also has far fewer cliches and in-jokes than should have been expected.
Take it as the action-and-cheap-laugh flick it is, and its an entertaining enough diversion.
Rating:
3 out of 5
