Planet Terror
DIR/WRI: Robert Rodriguez • PROD: Elizabeth Avellan, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Erica Steinberg • DOP: Robert Rodriguez • ED: Ethan Maniquis, Robert Rodriguez • DES: Steve Joyner • CAST: Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodríguez, Josh Brolin, Marley Shelton, Jeff Fahey, Michael Biehn,  Rebel Rodriguez, Bruce Willis, Naveen Andrews, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Stacy Ferguson, Nicky Katt, Hung Nguyen

Planet Terror was originally billed as one half of the Rodriguez/Tarantino ode to the violent exploitation skin flicks of yesteryear, Grindhouse. However, box office failings stateside proved damning for the double-bill and Planet Terror, like Death Proof had no other option than to go it alone. Can Planet Terror go it solo? Of course it can, and it does, quite spectacularly…

Planet Terror is an exercise in almightily gory, glorious hyper-hysteria that will have you hoot with laughter at scenes of dismemberment while simultaneously turning your head 180° in disgust. In the opening credits, we are introduced to the lithe, sulky Cherry Darling, go-go dancer/unemployed go-go dancer/amputee/buxom machine-gun-from-a-stump wielding angel of deliverance. While on her way home, a military presence forces her off the road, which sends her off to the nearest barbecue shack, which, coincidentally, causes her to bump into her pissed-off ex-boyfriend El Wray (Freddy Rodríguez). Cherry took his jacket and the reason he is not best pleased with this becomes clear later, the scene precipating the ubiquitous missing reel.
 
Meanwhile at a military base a scientist is unhappy to discover that two of his specimens have gone AWOL and, having a penchant for collecting testicles, sanctions the removal of those belonging to the poor sod whose watch it was. Lt. Muldoon (Bruce Willis) and a contingent of his men arrive, in search of the canisters (they of the toxic variety) and, for reasons that stem only from spite, the scientist shoots one of the drums, spraying gas – which quickly leads to infection.
 
At the same time in the local hospital Dr Block (Josh Brolin) and his put-upon wife Dr Dakota Block (Marley Shelton) are finding themselves up to their ears in gangrenous soon-to-be zombies. This does not bode well for Dakota who has arranged a getaway with her sapphic lover. When a crash lands El Wray and Cherry in hospital and El Wray in trouble with local sheriff (Michael Biehn), it isn't much longer before the few survivors find themselves under a full-scale attack by leprous, pus-spurting ghouls.  
 
Planet Terror is almost as much fun as The Return of the Living Dead, a cult classic directed by Dan O' Bannon in the ’80s but Planet Terror's soundtrack hardly compares. There is purposely bad editing, garish technicolor, static slashes across a wobbly screen and of course, the missing reel. Keep an eye out for Michael Parks, who shows up as the character he played in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and one of the From Dusk Till Dawn sequels.
 
Robert Rodriguez has surpassed Tarantino's Death Proof. Planet Terror has more meat on its bones and is as exhilarating as a ride on a wall of death. Possibly the best horror film I've seen all year. Definitely one for the DVD collection...

Alan Kelly
(Read biog here)

Rated 16 (see IFCO website for details)
Planet Terror is released on 9th November 2007
Planet Terror – Official website