This is my all time favorite movie, and I have yet to write review on it, so instead of rehashing the plot and saying how fabulous it is, as many people before me have done, I'm going to take on some of the criticism, and explain it all to people who just `didn't get it.'
SPOILERS AHEAD
1. What does Reservoir Dogs mean? Quentin Tarantino used to work in a video store, and he saw the French movie Au Revoir Les Enfants and could never pronounce it. Reservoir Dogs evolved from that.
2. People say it's not a movie for girls. I'm a girl. Anyone who says this movie isn't for girls, is broadly generalizing the kinds of movies girls like. Sure, some of my girlfriends hate it, but others of them love it. Personally, it's been my number one ever since I saw it 9 years ago.
3. People say it's too violent. Let's see, who are we dealing with? A bunch of thieves who are robbing a diamond store. What do you expect? Yes, it's violent. Welcome to Tarantinoland.
4. People say there's too much swearing. Get used to it if you want to see a Quentin Tarantino movie. Again, we're dealing with a bunch of thieves. It would be completely unrealistic for them to be speaking proper English.
5. People say there's not enough locations. This movie was made for about a million bucks. Contrast that to Titanic, which was made for about $300 million. Enough said? Furthermore, that's the point of the movie, that it's set in one place. This is an independent film. Therefore, it's dialogue driven, not based on our heros moving around from place to place. Once Tarantino got some backing (i.e. Pulp Fiction), we get to see some more scenery.
6. People say there's too much conversation. If you don't like hearing witty dialogue, I feel very sorry for you. The dialogue in this movie is top notch, and only Kevin Smith can rival Tarantino when it comes to conversations between characters. The opening scene at the diner is one of the best scenes ever.
7. Someone questioned the police tactics in not breaking up the robbery before it was in progress. The law is tricky in this area, depending on what state you're in. If they haven't actually begun the robbery, charging them with robbery isn't likely. Attempted robbery (or conspiracy to commit robbery) are alternatives, but the cops were after Joe. If these guys were charged with attempted robbery, you're talking about a shorter sentence, and one that would make them much less likely to give Joe up. They couldn't have gotten Joe on attempt or conspiracy unless one of the guys talked. They had nothing on him. They had to wait until they started robbing.
8. Someone questioned that they knew there was an informant. No they didn't. They weren't sure. Did you watch the movie? Mr. Pink suspects, but none of them are sure. They've worked with Joe before and thought it crazy that he wouldn't have checked everyone out thoroughly. It's only as the movie progresses that they realize there is an informant. Of course they go to the rendezvous. What else were they supposed to do to get their part of the take?
9. Someone asked what was the point of the commode story. If you watched the movie, it was an amusing anecdote for Mr. Orange to tell his fellow thieves, so they could become better friends. It's all about sharing experiences. Personally, one of my favorite scenes.
10. Someone asked why Mr. Orange didn't shoot Mr. Blonde before he cut off Marvin's ear. He had to stay in his Mr. Orange role. He probably figured, so the guy loses an ear, big deal. At least we nail Joe and these guys to the wall. And he also risked himself getting killed if he displayed what side he was really on. He did not realize that Mr. Blonde was going to kill Marvin, just thought he was going to torture him a little.
11. Someone complained about the disjointedness. If you can't follow it, maybe you need to tune in to standard Hollywood fare. It's much more linear. The disjointedness is what makes the movie.
12. Someone complained about the abrupt ending. It's supposed to be abrupt. The shooting and then to Coconut. Fabulous work by Tarantino. And what's left to tell? Everyone's dead but Mr. Pink. And of course, we will all wonder about Mr. Pink, at least a little bit. At least this movie ends with a bang!
That's all I have to say. Everyone should see this movie. It is one of the best movies ever made.
SPOILERS AHEAD
1. What does Reservoir Dogs mean? Quentin Tarantino used to work in a video store, and he saw the French movie Au Revoir Les Enfants and could never pronounce it. Reservoir Dogs evolved from that.
2. People say it's not a movie for girls. I'm a girl. Anyone who says this movie isn't for girls, is broadly generalizing the kinds of movies girls like. Sure, some of my girlfriends hate it, but others of them love it. Personally, it's been my number one ever since I saw it 9 years ago.
3. People say it's too violent. Let's see, who are we dealing with? A bunch of thieves who are robbing a diamond store. What do you expect? Yes, it's violent. Welcome to Tarantinoland.
4. People say there's too much swearing. Get used to it if you want to see a Quentin Tarantino movie. Again, we're dealing with a bunch of thieves. It would be completely unrealistic for them to be speaking proper English.
5. People say there's not enough locations. This movie was made for about a million bucks. Contrast that to Titanic, which was made for about $300 million. Enough said? Furthermore, that's the point of the movie, that it's set in one place. This is an independent film. Therefore, it's dialogue driven, not based on our heros moving around from place to place. Once Tarantino got some backing (i.e. Pulp Fiction), we get to see some more scenery.
6. People say there's too much conversation. If you don't like hearing witty dialogue, I feel very sorry for you. The dialogue in this movie is top notch, and only Kevin Smith can rival Tarantino when it comes to conversations between characters. The opening scene at the diner is one of the best scenes ever.
7. Someone questioned the police tactics in not breaking up the robbery before it was in progress. The law is tricky in this area, depending on what state you're in. If they haven't actually begun the robbery, charging them with robbery isn't likely. Attempted robbery (or conspiracy to commit robbery) are alternatives, but the cops were after Joe. If these guys were charged with attempted robbery, you're talking about a shorter sentence, and one that would make them much less likely to give Joe up. They couldn't have gotten Joe on attempt or conspiracy unless one of the guys talked. They had nothing on him. They had to wait until they started robbing.
8. Someone questioned that they knew there was an informant. No they didn't. They weren't sure. Did you watch the movie? Mr. Pink suspects, but none of them are sure. They've worked with Joe before and thought it crazy that he wouldn't have checked everyone out thoroughly. It's only as the movie progresses that they realize there is an informant. Of course they go to the rendezvous. What else were they supposed to do to get their part of the take?
9. Someone asked what was the point of the commode story. If you watched the movie, it was an amusing anecdote for Mr. Orange to tell his fellow thieves, so they could become better friends. It's all about sharing experiences. Personally, one of my favorite scenes.
10. Someone asked why Mr. Orange didn't shoot Mr. Blonde before he cut off Marvin's ear. He had to stay in his Mr. Orange role. He probably figured, so the guy loses an ear, big deal. At least we nail Joe and these guys to the wall. And he also risked himself getting killed if he displayed what side he was really on. He did not realize that Mr. Blonde was going to kill Marvin, just thought he was going to torture him a little.
11. Someone complained about the disjointedness. If you can't follow it, maybe you need to tune in to standard Hollywood fare. It's much more linear. The disjointedness is what makes the movie.
12. Someone complained about the abrupt ending. It's supposed to be abrupt. The shooting and then to Coconut. Fabulous work by Tarantino. And what's left to tell? Everyone's dead but Mr. Pink. And of course, we will all wonder about Mr. Pink, at least a little bit. At least this movie ends with a bang!
That's all I have to say. Everyone should see this movie. It is one of the best movies ever made.
Tell Your Friends