You know how sometimes you say you have seen a film, when in actual fact you think you have seen most of it by catching bits and pieces on the television? I get this quite a lot with films I have never really sat down to watch; like "The Godfather" and "Forest Gump". I have watched what I imagine to be most of these films on separate occasions, but I have never taken the time to really watch them. This is the same for today's reviewed title, "From Dusk Till Dawn". Many a time I have caught this film on TV, but never watch all of it; tonight I changed that, and I am glad I did.Seth ("George Clooney") and Richard ("Quentin Tarantino") Gecko are a brothers on the run from the law after a successful bank robbery. Their plan is to get through the border to Mexico before they are caught by the law. This plan is made easier when they run into the Fuller family while staying in a motel. Seth promises the Fuller's that they will be released if they get the help they need to cross the border.
The border crossing isn't the real issue here though. The Gecko's are meeting their "colleagues" at a strip bar called "The Titty Twister", and have to wait there until they arrive at dawn. Easy enough you would think, but it just so happens that this bar is filled with vampires and their only way to survive the night is to work together.
As with most movies written by "Quentin Tarantino" there is a large amount of dialog; witty dialog at that. The exchanges between the Gecko brothers are particularly amusing. Mostly Seth having to deal with his younger brother Richard's psychopathic tendencies. It is a well written script and despite being a horror film, finds its moments of humor frequently. One of the more prominent examples of this is the argument between Richard and Seth on the topic of subtlety as they hurriedly walk away from an exploding petrol station.
The film also takes some rather dark turns at points; particularly with Richard Gecko and his regular delusions. Although sometimes his delusions aren't as big a problem as his actions. There is a fantastic scene with Seth standing in the doorway of a motel bedroom, staring at the body of a woman murdered by his brother. The tone of the film, all be it only briefly, departs quickly from humorous conversations to something completely different. The score of the film takes a very serious turn to set the mood, coupled with a look of utter horror on Seth's face and single frame snaps to the blood soaked bedroom. This is a brilliantly directed scene.
The true defining article within the movie is really the gore. It is frequent, violent, bloody and in most cases, completely overkill. However, I feel that it is completely justified within the style of the film; certainly, director "Robert Rodriguez" has a history of over the top violence. It makes for an excellently exaggerated piece of action horror.
Beautiful women in films tend to be a dime a dozen, but "From Dusk Till Dawn" certainly has a lead on this one. "Selma Hayek" is not only one of the most attractive women to have been gazed upon by the camera lens, she is playing the part of an exotic dancer! It is certainly worth a watch purely for this....
I really enjoyed myself watching "From Dusk Till Dawn". A lot of horror films have a message or a serious undertone or even a shock factor, but with this you get pure unadulterated entertainment. It's bloody, gross, funny, shocking and action packed all in one and for your money, a brilliant package. I would have to say that this film isn't just for Halloween, which makes it even more of a gem.
Rating 4 out of 5
See it if you liked:
Vampires
Assault on Precinct 13
The Mist
What does IMDB say?
Review by Stephen King
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