" Truthfully, I don't think it offers anything exceptional regardless. "

      Title: Jackie Brown by Buena Vista Home Video

      Format: Pulp DVD

      Reviewing Monkey: Mojo Jojo

      The Hype: Following up on his hit "Pulp Fiction", Quentin Tarantino produced this edgy, rush of a film in his classic style.

      What This Monkey Thought...

      Story and Acting: The style of Jackie Brown (though not really the content) is remeniscant of some of the old 60's blaxsplotation and is told in that semi-abstract motif that only Tarantino can do. It follows the run of 6 people persuing a half a million dollars worth of illegal black marketed money and the ways their paths intersect. It all centers around a character named Ordell (aptly played by Samuel L Jackson) who is a gun runner smuggling the money across the border. Complicating the play are the two distinct sides who are after the money. First are Ordell's companions (played by Robert De Niro and Bridget Fonda) who are technically on his side but, as you might expect, out for their own gains. Also in for the haul is the shifty federal agent (Michael Keaton) who wants to see Ordell put away and the title character, Jackie Brown (played by Pam Grier) who has managed to convince both sides that she's trustworthy.
          Truthfully, while neither a bad story nor a poor showing by the cast, Jackie Brown lacks the inspiration of much of Tarantino's other work (including the afore mentioned Pulp Fiction) and is interesting but not particularly memorable. It all seemed a bit contrived to me and lacked anything new or fresh for the genre. Really, it ended up being more interesting seeing a bunch of A-list actors take roles different from a lot of what they usually play. 3 out of 5

      Action: The story may border on drama but the action is all pulp…and that may not be such a good thing. Without the motivated story to back it up the rather intense moments of violence tend to come and go while you were blinking and leave more than a bit to be desired as far as substance goes. 3 out of 5

      Visuals and Directing: As I said before, the look and feel of Jackie Brown reminds me strongly of some of the late 60's pulp movies that are floating around late night tv- and that may not be the best thing to base a "new" (at least to DVD) motion picture on. It's got an interesting cross between edgy camp and modern chop but, really, didn't do much to keep me interested visually. And, while I know it's not fair to compare this to Pulp Fiction, it's hard- if not impossible, not to and certainly doesn't offer anything near that level. Truthfully, I don't think it offers anything exceptional regardless. 3 out of 5

      Sound Track: Hip is a word that's been used far to often with Tarantino but I'm at a loss to come up with a better one. Light, smooth, and…well, hip. The soundtrack sets the mood the movie aspires to (though, unfortunately, doesn't quite reach). 4 out of 5

      DVD Extras: Damned. I mean- wow. Want some extras? I hope so…because you're getting a whole 'nother disk of 'em. Radio spots, documentaries, interviews, videos, deleted scenes, reviews…This set has 'em all. It even has a French language track if you're interested in using the film as bait to lure frogs into your house and perform hideous cosmetic experiements on them. 5 out of 5

      Value vs. Price: Can't beat the value for the money. 2 disks, lots of extras, and a nifty collector's box for just under thirty bucks. Outstanding however you look at it. 5 out of 5

      The Verdict:

All in all, I was entertained but certainly not impressed with Jackie Brown. It's fun and it's got its moments- but truthfully it lacks the mood or originality to make it anything classic.

      The Good: Lots for your money- including a lot of big stars.

      The Bad: Unfortunately the movie itself is forgettable.

      The Overall Ugly: Any Tarantino fan owes this a rental but it's probably passable for anyone else.

      What it's Worth: Rental