Trendsetting artist Quentin Tarantino came out of nowhere in 1992 with his independent phenomenon “Reservoir Dogs.” Filmed on a paltry budget and including a nonlinear storyline, gratuitous violence, foul language, and high body count, it would serve as a blueprint for Tarantino’s personal filming style in the decades to come.
The majority of the film takes place in a single locale; an abandoned warehouse serving as a rendezvous point for six criminals in the aftermath of an armed heist gone wrong. One of the thugs is suspected of being an undercover cop. This facet adds gripping tension and suspense as the story plays out. Despite being dialogue heavy, “Reservoir Dogs” is written so well it will keep you captivated throughout its entirety. Only sparse flashbacks depicting the actual crime are mixed in. It’s a (slightly) more realistic story than many of Tarantino’s later films would prove to be.
The casting makes for truly memorable characters, with specific scenes and lines staying with you long after you finish watching. The actors portray a brilliant breadth of talent; from the calm and always cool Harvey Keitel to the frantic and high strung Steve Buscemi. Tim Roth does a phenomenal job portraying a character with a gruesome gunshot injury with his anguish coming alive. And everyone who watches “Reservoir Dogs” will be blown away by the frigid and frightening demeanor of Michael Madsen portraying one of the more notable psychopaths in cinema history. Lawrence Tierney and Chris Penn serve as the orchestrators of the crime. It’s a group of robbers and killers that make being bad look so incredibly cool.
Though taking place in the present day, the soundtrack for the entire movie consists of classic gems. One hit wonders from the 70’s come courtesy of the radio station blaring over the speakers in the warehouse. The tunes fit with each scene and put the viewer right in the middle of the chaotic melee. The songs from the radio also comprise the only score in the movie.
Quentin Tarantino displays his prowess as a filmmaker with amazing shots and a style that gives a noir vibe to the production. The 99 minute run time doesn’t waste a single frame. Despite the big names on screen, you get the true grit of an indie film right from the open. Tarantino’s script relies heavily on dialogue and pop culture references that would be a precursor for his later work. The opening scene consist of the gang at breakfast tossing typical banter before devolving into a discussion about the merits of tipping. It’s natural and captivating in a way that many other films and television shows would mimic from that point forward.
While later titles “Pulp Fiction,” “Kill Bill,” and “Django Unchained” received heavy promotion, “Reservoir Dogs” dropped with little in the way of publicity. It remains Tarantino’s best film and one of the greats of all time. Whether watching for the first time or the millionth, it’s a solid way to usher in the summer.
