After the dismal box office results of Grindhouse (the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez double feature), the two films, Death Proof and Planet of Terror, have been separated like two bratty children who don’t play well together. This is a shame because the idea of packaging two relatively short movies, bracketed by made-up trailers to mimic the drive in experience of the 1970’s, was both fun and innovative.

One of the best things about Tarantino is his exuberance for all things film, whether it’s the high brow of the French New Wave or the low brow of Blaxploitation. Unfortunately for filmgoers, the problem with Grindhouse lies in the actual films, not the format.

Death Proof resembles a Tarantino-wannabe film rather than an original creation from the man who practically redefined a school of cinema after Reservoir Dogs. Unlike Tarantino’s early films which provided unique, fleshed out characters who spewed funny and well-crafted dialogue along with surprising turns of events, Death Proof acts more like a grocery list of good ingredients that don’t belong anywhere near each other.

The limited story showcases a well cast Kurt Russell as a sociopathic stuntman with serial killer tastes – young, sexy girls to be exact. Unfortunately for Russell’s Stuntman Mike, he stumbles on the wrong set of girls.

These women do not accept their fate as prey but rather turn the tables on Stuntman Mike in an 18-minute chase scene – depending on your taste, the idea of a film centering on an 18-minute chase scene could be either a bonus or a hindrance to enjoying Death Proof.

Extras: trailer for Double Dare, Stunts on Wheels: The Legendary Drivers of Death Proof, interviews with stars Zoë Bell and Kurt Russell.

Grade: C-

Death Proof is currently available.