Planet Terror was made by writer-director Robert Rodriguez as one half of Grindhouse. Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof occupied the other slot on the double bill but where that car thriller was a pastiche of 1970s exploitation, Planet Terror is an ode to 1980s splatter movies.
The silliness of this horror schlockfest is summed up by actress Rose McGowan sporting a machine gun where her leg should be. It doesn’t make a lick of sense but I’m thinking, if I was stuck in this movie, I might want such an appendage.
McGowan plays Cherry, a go-go dancer at a personal crossroads, who runs into her mysterious tough guy ex, El Ray, played by Freddy Rodriguez. But the road to rekindled romance proves rocky when the local population become cannibalistic zombies, courtesy of some weirdo gas released by the military.
Cherry, El Ray and a rag-tag group of survivors have to blast, slash and punch their way to freedom, first at a horror hospital, then at a bloody BBQ joint and finally at a sinister army base.
With heads a-poppin and guts a-spurtin’ to say this isn’t for everyone is a massive understatement. There are actually a couple of genuine shocks but mainly Planet Terror is a monstrously entertaining parody that brings to mind Peter Jackson’s early movies.
The actors – including Naveen Andrews, Josh Brolin and Bruce Willis – all look like they’re having as much fun as we are.
Fans of horror comedy are going to love this. It’s definitely one to watch with friends who can chortle, ooh and aaah with you as the film carves up its cast. And pop star Fergie getting her cannibalistic comeuppance for inflicting 'My Humps' on the world; this alone is worth the price of rental.
As a good-natured splat-fest, Planet Terror rates 3 and ½ stars and is on DVD Now.
