Death Proof (2007): a Movie Review

Death Proof is a crime drama starring Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike. Stuntman Mike is a psychotic serial killer who stalks young girls and kills them with his "death proof" stunt car. Warning: my movie review contains plot spoilers.

Death Proof is divided into two acts. The first act Stuntman Mike stalks four girls in Austin, Texas. After watching the girls' party all night at a bar, Mike viciously murders them by hitting their car head on. The second act fourteen months later in Tennessee Stuntman Mike finds another trio of girls to stalk but Mike finally gets his just desserts when the girls turn the tables and viciously kill him out of revenge.

I absolutely loved Death Proof. I remember the movie getting a lot of bad publicity when it came out so I never saw it at the theater. Oh well because I really enjoyed it after finally renting Death Proof a year later after release. I can see why some men don't like the movie because Death Proof showcases "the girls" talking more then the action scenes. But when the action scenes do finally come around, they are sure worth the wait. The first death scene (not counting Pam's) was extremely disturbing but entertaining none the less. And my favorite death scene is when the second set of girls kick Stuntman Mikes ass. I particular enjoyed the final kick by Rosario Dawson.

Rosario Dawson was definitely a stand out actress in Death Proof. Rosario played Abernathy, the tag along friend with two stuntwoman buddies who are practicing moves on a borrowed car. At first she just tags along because she doesn't want to be left out but she eventually takes the lead in the desire to get back at Stuntman Mike. The make-up artist turns into a kick-a@@ woman who gets her revenge against psycho men.

Zoë Bell is a stuntwoman turned actress who plays herself in the movie. My second favorite scene is when she gets thrown of the hood into a ditch and her two friends are crying, assuming she is dead. She pops up cheerily "I'm o.k." It was so funny; of course the stuntwoman is ok. If anyone can survive being flung of a car hood, it is definitely Zoë Bell.

I have read that Death Proof is Quentin Tarantino's homage to action movies from the 1970's but I really think it is his homage to woman. The movie is all about "the girls."

Death Proof is now added to my list of favorite movies. My only gripe is I wish there would have been one more scene of the girls returning the banged up car to the backwoods owner. I am sure their explanation would have been hilarious. I give the movie 5 out of 5 stars.