Big Picture Big Sound

The Film

I know there are many who feel that Robert Rodriguez's half of the Grindhouse double feature is the stronger of the two, but I am definitely in the opposite camp. Having had to sit through more than my fair share of zombie films in recent months, I cannot describe Planet Terror as anything more than a completely unoriginal take on the genre that unapologetically adopts all of the earmarks of low budget B-movies right down to the missing reels and scratchy film.

Of course, the entire purpose of Grindhouse and Planet Terror was for Rodriguez and Tarantino to have fun while playing with the genres they grew up enjoying. For Rodriguez, cheap horror films where plot takes a big backseat to the action is the thing. Borrowing equally from George A. Romero and John Carpenter, Rodriguez's Planet Terror involves the usual sort of horror themes. A government experiment gone awry turns humans into flesh-eating mutants that transfer their condition when they bite others. The infected need an experimental gas to keep them from transforming.

The film is at its most entertaining and delightful when the blood is flowing and the action is frenetic. Rose McGowan as Cherry, the one-legged stripper with the machine gun leg dishing out justice to monsters, is the film's highlight. It's possibly her best role since leaving her long-running role as Paige Matthews on the defunct television series Charmed. This Blu-ray release offers an even more fun way to watch the film with an optional Audience Reaction Track that just adds to the energy and highlights the film's more humorous aspects. Still, Planet Terror offers up nothing compelling and won't find favor amongst anyone but the most ardent B-movie fanatics.

For an alternate take on the film see our theatrical review of Grindhouse.

The Picture

The Blu-ray release of Planet Terror offers up two high definition versions of the film. Alongside the original, "aged" version of the film is a new "scratch free" version from what is claimed to be a newly discovered negative. For the first time, viewers can watch Planet Terror unsullied by the purposeful aging effects employed by director Robert Rodriguez.

There's no arguing that the clean version of the film makes it much easier to judge the merits of the transfer itself, offering good clean imagery, solid and deep blacks, sharp detail and perfect contrast free from blooming, but the film lacks character without the effects. The original "aged" version of the film is a different beast entirely with fluctuating flesh tones, blacks that sometimes crush and are sometimes washed out, soft details, etc. Those are all a result of the production and effects, however, not of the relatively high bitrate AVC/MPEG-4 1080p/24 transfer. Whether you view the film as originally intended or in the new, pristine transfer, you will be seeing it the best it has ever looked for certain.

The Sound

Rather ironically and in direct contrast to the aesthetics of the film, Planet Terror comes with a high quality lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundmix that rarely allows the sound system to rest. Making aggressive use of all six channels, there are extended low frequencies that rattle the floorboards with every explosion, a myriad of bullets whizzing around the room and roaring engines of trucks and SUVs. Dialogue is clean and full, never displaying any distortions and never getting lost in the action. Planet Terror may not be the stronger of the two Grindhouse films, but its BD release definitely has the better soundtrack and, if you count the "scratch free" version of the film, the better transfer as well.

There are also English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 options available.

The Extras

Planet Terror's extras are spread across its two discs, probably due to the first disc housing two full versions of the film in high definition.  Disc 1's extras are limited to an audio commentary from writer/director Robert Rodriguez which is a typical commentary wherein Rodriguez point out the many of the details of the production offering up anecdotes along the way and an Audience Reaction track (English Dolby Digital 5.1 only). Believe it or not, watching the film with the Reaction Track actually makes it more enjoyable. Disc 1 is also BD-Live enabled, but the feature was not yet functioning at the time of this review.

The extras available on Disc 2 are:

• 10-Minute Film School (1.85:1/high definition) -- Rodriguez explains the process of adding special effects to the film on the their tight budget, particularly Rose McGowan's machinegun leg and the aging effects that were added to the film.
• The Badass Babes of Planet Terror (1.78:1/standard definition) -- The actresses and the director discuss their characters and the inspiration behind the roles.
• Casting Rebel (1.78:1/standard definition) -- The director discusses casting his own 7-year-old son, Rebel Rodriguez, in the film.
• Sickos, Bullets, and Explosions: The Stunts of Planet Terror (1.78:1/standard definition) -- Stunt coordinator Jeff Dashnaw and director Robert Rodriguez discusses the practical special effects of Planet Terror.
• The Friend, The Doctor, and The Real Estate Agent (1.78:1/standard definition) -- Robert Rodriguez cast his real-life friends and acquaintances, all non-actors, to fill three roles in Planet Terror.
• Planet Terror International Trailer (1.78:1/standard definition)
• An International Poster Gallery
  

Where to Buy

• Planet Terror on Blu-ray Disc (Amazon.com)

Final Thoughts

Planet Terror is easily a go to weekend popcorn flick; a bit of mindlessly energetic entertainment, or what some might refer to as a "guilty pleasure". It may not hold up to too many repeat viewings, but it has its moments of comedic amusements pure gore that those week in the stomach may find a bit too shocking. This Blu-ray Disc release certainly offers the best possible version of the film, with an absolutely rollicking TrueHD mix and quality transfers of two full-length high definition versions of the film.

Product Details

• Actors: Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodríguez, Josh Brolin, Marley Shelton, Jeff Fahey
• Director: Robert Rodriguez
• Writer: Robert Rodriguez
• Producers: Bill Scott, Bob Weinstein, Elizabeth Avellan, Erica Steinberg, Harvey Weinstein
• Audio/Languages: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Region: ABC (All Regions)
• Rating: Not Rated
• Studio: Weinstein Company
• Blu-ray Disc Release Date: December 16, 2008
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• List price: $34.95
• Extras:
  • Disc 1:
    • Feature Commentary by writer/director Robert Rodriguez
    • Audience Reaction Track
    • Additional "Scratch Free" Version included from Newly Discovered Negative
    • BD-Live
  • Disc 2:
    • 10-minute Film School
    • The Badass Babes of Planet Terror
    • The Guys of Planet Terror
    • Casting Rebel
    • Sickos, Bullets, and Explosions: The Stunts of Planet Terror
    • The Friend, The Doctor, and The Real Estate Agent
    • Planet Terror International Trailer
    • An International Poster Gallery