Starring: Kirk Baltz, Lawrence Bender, Randy Brooks, Edward Bunker, Steve Buscemi Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Special Edition, NTSC Label: Lions Gate Number of Items: 2 Region Code: 1 Release Date: March 18, 2003 Running Time: 99 minutes Theatrical Release Date: October 23, 1992
Amazon.com essential video: Quentin Tarantino came out of nowhere (i.e., a video store in Manhattan Beach, California) and turned Hollywood on its ear in 1992 with his explosive first feature, Reservoir Dogs. Like Tarantino's mainstream breakthrough Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs has an unconventional structure, cleverly shuffling back and forth in time to reveal details about the characters, experienced criminals who know next to nothing about each other. Joe (Lawrence Tierney) has assembled them to pull off a simple heist, and has gruffly assigned them color-coded aliases (Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink, Mr. White) to conceal their identities from being known even to each other. But something has gone wrong, and the plan has blown up in their faces. One by one, the surviving robbers find their way back to their prearranged warehouse hideout. There, they try to piece together the chronology of this bloody fiasco--and to identify the traitor among them who tipped off the police. Pressure mounts, blood flows, accusations and bullets fly. In the combustible atmosphere these men are forced to confront life-and-death questions of trust, loyalty, professionalism, deception, and betrayal. As many critics have observed, it is a movie about "honor among thieves" (just as Pulp Fiction is about redemption, and Jackie Brown is about survival). Along with everything else, the movie provides a showcase for a terrific ensemble of actors: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Christopher Penn, and Tarantino himself, offering a fervent dissection of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" over breakfast. Reservoir Dogs is violent (though the violence is implied rather than explicit), clever, gabby, harrowing, funny, suspenseful, and even--in the end--unexpectedly moving. (Don't forget that "Super Sounds of the Seventies" soundtrack, either.) Reservoir Dogs deserves just as much acclaim and attention as its follow-up, Pulp Fiction, would receive two years later. --Jim Emerson
Amazon.com: Quentin Tarantino came out of nowhere (i.e., a video store in Manhattan Beach, California) and turned Hollywood on its ear in 1992 with his explosive first feature, Reservoir Dogs. Like Tarantino's mainstream breakthrough Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs has an unconventional structure, cleverly shuffling back and forth in time to reveal details about the characters, experienced criminals who know next to nothing about each other. Joe (Lawrence Tierney) has assembled them to pull off a simple heist, and has gruffly assigned them color-coded aliases (Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink, Mr. White) to conceal their identities from being known even to each other. But something has gone wrong, and the plan has blown up in their faces. One by one, the surviving robbers find their way back to their prearranged warehouse hideout. There, they try to piece together the chronology of this bloody fiasco--and to identify the traitor among them who tipped off the police. Pressure mounts, blood flows, accusations and bullets fly. In the combustible atmosphere these men are forced to confront life-and-death questions of trust, loyalty, professionalism, deception, and betrayal. As many critics have observed, it is a movie about "honor among thieves" (just as Pulp Fiction is about redemption, and Jackie Brown is about survival). Along with everything else, the movie provides a showcase for a terrific ensemble of actors: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Christopher Penn, and Tarantino himself, offering a fervent dissection of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" over breakfast. Reservoir Dogs is violent (though the violence is implied rather than explicit), clever, gabby, harrowing, funny, suspenseful, and even--in the end--unexpectedly moving. (Don't forget that "Super Sounds of the Seventies" soundtrack, either.) Reservoir Dogs deserves just as much acclaim and attention as its follow-up, Pulp Fiction, would receive two years later. --Jim Emerson
Classic film - great edition Reservoir Dogs is one of those films that you don't forget. It's an excellent story and is very compelling to watch. It also features some iconic shots that are parodied over and over again. I can't believe it's 15 years old, but it still holds up. This is also a great transfer. Sure, the extras are a little lacking, but it's the film that matters and if you're looking to update your collection, this is a good bet. If you're looking for other great indie films from this era, another good one is El Mariachi (Special Edition).
Great Transfer Amazed by the quality of the bluray...that along with this grand movie makes this this a good purchase.
"I need you Cool. Are You Cool?" *Warning: Minor Spoilers*
It's funny, I ended up not liking this one as much as I did Pulp Fiction, even though I had higher expectations for this than I did Pulp Fiction. Alright ramblers, let's get ramblin.
Reservoir Dogs, like other Tarantino works, borrows quite a bit from other movies before. Heck, the ironic blend of horrible, cruel acts of violence in the ear scene (which isn't that graphic, to qual your nerves) is the same kind of irony that A Clockwork ORange did with it's juxtaposition of rape and Singing In the Rain. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, because, in my opinion, this gleeful mix is not used enough, and more than once movie that features it is a very good thing. I'm pretty sure many movies before have used Mexican Standoffs with fatal consequences.
But, like other Taranino works, are hilarious, fun to watch, features rich dialogue, and, despite many homages (not quite rip-offs) many to actually do some trascending of the source material, or at least make them his own, in a way. Of course, it also helps that Taranito is able to to use his other trademarks, many that indulge in his many influence, or it seems. Reservoir Dogs also includes a very interesting and exciting premise, and as the way as story developing goes, he does a very great job making each premise and motives of each Color code believable.
About the plot. What I mean, is that each color code (as well as Nice Guy Eddie and Joe), each set up themselves in the movie to be a good suspect for the set-up. Each motive and attitude makes legit sense when you think about it, and when it is revealed, even if you got it right, you'll probably get a bit of a sink in your gut. Each of the characters too are pretty funny and have their own personalities. Important too, since you spent a lot of time with them.
As of right now, the price alone makes this one to add to your DVD collection. And like Pulp Fiction, it's entertaining that you will want to watch it more than once, sometimes just to play your favorites scenes at least three times. A gritty, stripped down, non-orchestratic crime film.
B+
Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right... Reservoir Dogs is one of those films that you're either gonna love it, or you're gonna hate it. There is no in-between with this movie. Me...well, I loved it. The non-linear storyline was a very creative element that added a new take on crime films that isn't seen too often. Tarantino told you up front exactly what happened, then he worked backwards to show what led up to it, then it concluded with the famous Mexican Standoff at the end. Some people have said that it uses violence and blood in excess, but I disagree. It just helped to tell the story of what happens when you mix 8 different personalities and a whole lot of money. One thing I must applaud Quentin on is the soundtrack. I don't think the song "Stuck In The Middle With You" will ever sound the same again when I hear it on the radio. The sharp dialogue was also very creative, making this one of those "quotable" movies that are so much fun to watch, over and over again.
Classic Tarantino! Does this movie really need a detailed review? A classic put out on blu ray.
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