The Plot:

Former video store clerk Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut, RESERVOIR DOGS, is a brutally funny, supercharged introduction to his supremely distinct cinematic vision, which was later to become one of the most mimicked styles of the 1990s. Mastermind Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney) assembles a crew of top-notch criminals to pull off a jewelry store heist. As the film opens it becomes immediately clear that the plan backfired, forcing the survivors, who have gathered at an abandoned warehouse, to figure out if one of them is, in fact, a police informer. The crew--Mr. White (Harvey Keitel), an aged veteran; Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), a wounded newcomer; Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen), a psychopathic parolee; Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi), a bickering weasel; and Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Penn), Joe’s son--begin to unravel as the pressure becomes too much for them to handle. When Joe arrives, the truth becomes clear in a vicious Mexican standoff. (From Yahoo Movies)

My Thoughts: (Reviewed by K-Billy)

Reservoir Dogs is the first film by now legendary writer/director Quentin Tarantino. It details the formulated plot to rob a jewelry store. Bringing together a group of known professional theifs to pull off the job. They are Mr. White (Harvey Keitel), Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen), Mr Pink (Steve Buscemi), Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), Mr. Brown (Quentin Tarantino), and Mr. Blue. The boys are lead by the boss Joe (Laurence Tierney) and his son Eddie (Chris Penn). In the execution of the robbery plan something goes wrong, the cops show up and a few of the robbers end up dead. Throughout the rest of the flim it’s up to the men involved in the heist to figure out which one of them is a snitch.

Ah, Quentin Tarantino, the man can do no wrong. This is his first major breakout film in what has been a short but incredible career so far. Reservoir Dogs is a masterpiece that wonderfully pays tribute to the film noir genre. The story itself isn’t too complicated and that’s what makes it wonderful. This film does more in an hour and half then most films coming out today do in two. The simplicity of the story will never occur to you however because of Tarantino’s unbelievable knack for writing the best dialogue in any movie you are likely to see. The whole opening scene revolves around Mr. Pink refusing to tip the waitress because he doesn’t believe in it. It’s definitely unconventional to start a movie on such a trivial subject, but Tarantino strikes a familiar nerve with his ability to familiarize the audience with the subject. I found myself laughing out loud at this scene and realizing how true to life it was and how refreshing that is to see in a movie. Where these days most stuff out there is unimaginative and designed with a formula to capitalize on money. It’s his ability to make scenes out of nothing, comedy out of day to day life occurences that makes him as great as he is.

Talking about Mr. Pink complaining about tipping naturally brings me to the acting. Steve Buscemi as the always complaining, jittery Mr. Pink is absolutely hilarious. I credit him also with making some of the scenes of this film so funny. Going down the rest of the line the other standouts include Michael Madsen, oh man was he great. Mr. Blonde is an absolute physco and Madsen played him just right. Harvey Keitiel, who basically was the force behind getting this movie made was also good, probably the most sane of all of the characters and the most grounded. And Chris Penn, I really liked his portrayel of Nice Guy Eddie, watch the scene where he asks Mr. Orange if he’s talking about this cop, and you’ll know what I mean. The other performances were very noteworthy also.

One of the best parts about this movie besides the dialogue is something else that’s consistently great in all of Tarantino’s movies and that is the music. This film has a soundtrack that not only has great songs, but fits the movie unbelievably well. The opening credits scene beautifully blends the tempo changes in the music with the cuts to different cast introductions. Whoever edited this movie did an awesome job. And when the insane Mr. Blonde is torturing a cop while dancing to Stealer’s Wheel – Stuck In The Middle With You, it’s impossible not to smile at the brilliance of the soundtrack paired with the film.

All in all this is the most excellent first big film from Tarantino. This is a crime movie that never falls into cliché’s or generic conventions of the genre, and masterfully credits the film noir style of film making. This is the first great film from a great director and should be held in high regard, right up there with Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, and the new instant classic Kill Bill.

 

Starring: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Rated R

 

 

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