Planet Terror

How do you rate the picture quality of a movie that's been intentionally designed to look like a ratty theatrical print? Although actually shot on digital video, 'Planet Terror' is smothered from start to finish in simulated film scratches, splices, dirt, grain, warping, and even color bleed. The colors themselves are usually either oversaturated or completely faded depending on the scene, with a few instances where the image goes pink like the print is turning to vinegar. This is all obviously deliberate and not the sort of thing you can criticize the disc for.

For what it is, the Blu-ray's 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer is at least a modest step up from the DVD edition. In addition to everything else, the picture also looks like it's been softened a bit, so the overall sense of detail is only fair. I'm sure many viewers will argue that Blu-ray isn't necessary for this particular movie, but in comparison to the DVD there is certainly an improvement. Those nicks and scratches are crisper than ever in High Definition. While the DVD looks like a bad 16mm dub print, the Blu-ray at least looks like a battered 35mm print. Realistically, the movie can be enjoyed either way.

Both the DVD and Blu-ray are sourced from the same digital master, which has been opened up to screen-filling 16:9 from the original 2.35:1 theatrical ratio that it played at as part of 'Grindhouse'. This was done at the instruction of Robert Rodriguez, who previously requested the same for home video editions of 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico'. The photography is composed loosely enough that it looks fine either way. I doubt that anyone who didn't know about the change beforehand would ever think that anything is wrong with the Blu-ray's framing.

In the supplement package on the disc is a "scratch-free" version of the movie (more on this below) with a separate 1080p/VC-1 encode. The digital video origins are much clearer in this version, which is sparkling clean for the most part and has perfect, vivid colors. Detail is also decidedly sharper. From an eye candy standpoint, the scratch-free version has merit, but in terms of artistic intent and entertainment value, the theatrical version is still preferred.

All of the bonus features from the DVD have carried over to the Blu-ray.

• Audio Commentary – Robert Rodriguez's commentaries are always engaging and insightful. Among the many topics of discussion in this one are the history of the 'Grindhouse' project, script development, the differences between the two versions of the movie, and working on a tight budget. Rodriguez also makes repeated references to how much character the film scratches and dirt give a movie, which is an odd sentiment from a director so gung-ho about shooting his movies (including this one) digitally.
• Audience Reaction Track – In the grindhouse spirit, you can choose to watch the movie with obnoxious hoots and hollering from a theater audience. It's kind of funny for about a minute, and then starts to wear thin.
• 10-Minute Film School (HD, 12 min.) – This segment of Rodriguez's long-running featurette series actually runs 12 minutes. The piece gives a concise overview of how the machine gun leg and other VFX were accomplished, along with some gore and the film degradation appearance. Rodriguez closes by mentioning a planned DVD release with more bonus features and the theatrical cut of 'Grindhouse', which may or may not actually come to pass.
• The Badass Babes of Planet Terror (SD, 12 min.) – Straight from the movie's Electronic Press Kit is this look at the female leads.
• The Guys of Planet Terror (SD, 17 min.) – Similar to the above is this piece about the male characters.
• Casting Rebel (SD, 6 min.) – Rodriguez discusses the decision to cast his own young son in the movie, and filming an alternate ending so that the boy wouldn't know his character's fate.
• Sickos, Bullets and Explosions: The Stunts of Planet Terror (SD, 13 min.) – Explanations of how some of the movie's signature stunts were achieved.
• The Friend, The Doctor and the Real Estate Agent (SD, 7 min.) – Rodriguez reveals that he filled several of the movie's supporting roles with non-actors from his real life.
• Planet Terror International Trailer (SD, 2 min.) – A vintage-looking exploitation trailer with no mention of 'Death Proof' or 'Grindhouse'.
• International Poster Gallery – Exactly what it sounds like.

HD Bonus Content: Any Exclusive Goodies in There?

Although the disc is BD-Live enabled, at the time of this writing there is no online content available for 'Planet Terror'. The Blu-ray does have one exclusive feature, however.

• "Scratch-Free" Version – Claiming to be sourced "from a newly discovered original negative" is a second High Definition encode of the movie without most of the scratches and aging effects. Other than the lack of the 'Machete' trailer at the beginning, the movie is otherwise exactly the same as the primary theatrical version. Some of the film damage effects are still present when narratively important. Jump cuts remain in place and the "missing reel" is still missing, because that's how the movie was edited for its final cut. The transitions from crisp and clean digital video to ratty film print and back again are very jarring and make for a schizophrenic viewing experience. All things considered, the theatrical version is preferred, though this does make for an interesting curiosity. Only Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is available while watching this version of the movie.

The Cutting Room Floor: What Didn't Make the Blu-ray?

Obviously, the most important thing missing from this Blu-ray release is the rest of 'Grindhouse', including Quentin Tarantino's co-feature 'Death Proof' (available separately) and three of the mock trailers: 'Werewolf Women of the S.S.' by Rob Zombie, 'Don't' by Edgar Wright, and 'Thanksgiving' by Eli Roth. The full 'Grindhouse' experience is currently available only in a 6-disc Region 2 DVD box set in Japan.