From Dusk Till Dawn Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Two outlaw brothers take a family hostage to flee to Mexico where they inadvertently end up at a bar full of vampires.

Review: I think this is one of those movies where you either love it or hate it. For one, it does a genre switch about halfway through which may turn some viewers off; it begins as a fugitive theme and then transitions into a horror/action film. The thing I love so much about this movie is the dialogue and how witty and clever it is. There are so many great quotes that you really get a feel for the characters. You definitely sense that Tarantino vibe to everything regarding the characters in what they say and their mannerisms in saying the lines; it's not easy to explain, but when you see enough of his films you'll understand. Speaking of which, Tarantino himself does a great job acting as does George Clooney as the main characters, the Gecko brothers, but unfortunately I can't say the same for the rest of the cast. I also enjoyed all the subtle little nuances such as Cheech Marin playing three different characters, the fact that the bar is revealed to be built on some ancient pyramid, random things like "Sex Machine's" dick gun, and so many tiny details you notice in repeat viewings. The approach to the vampires themselves was unique in a way as this film invents its own lure which I applaud. Although the vampires are vulnerable to their typical weaknesses, they are more like pack hunters as they are easily disposed of, and the look of the vampires mirrors different interpretations over the years. The weapons the characters end up using to fight the vampires is also really entertaining to see such as a holy water gun. As much as I have fun watching this film, it's not perfect by any means: there are a lot of shoddy effects, many cheesy lines and scenarios, quite a few over the top moments, and the ending feels a little empty with little resolution. There was a lot of room left to continue where this film left off, but the sequels are pitiful followups and only worth a laugh at best. Definitely give this one a view if you like Tarantino's style, vampires, or just a solid B movie. Or just watch it to see Salma Hayek at her peak!

Notable Moment: Without a doubt, the snake dance by the sultry Salma Hayek. This could quite possibly be the sexiest scene in film history!

Final Rating: 8/10

My, my, my...