Deadly thrills at high speed; Death Proof cert 18, 109 mins, Momentum Pictures Home Entertainment, Action/Thriller, also available to buy DVD pounds 17.99 Starring: Kurt Russell, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Jordan Ladd, Vanessa Ferlito, Rose Byrne, Rosario Dawson, Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Zoe Bell

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Jan 11, 2008

JULIA (Poitier) and gal pals Shanna (Ladd) and Arlene (Ferlito) enjoy a boozy night at the Texas Chili Parlor where the foxy trio catches the eye of stuntman Mike (Russell).

The loner offers a lift to Pam (Byrne) in his black Dodge Charger, emblazoned with white skull and flashes of lightning. "Is it safe?" she asks. "It's death proof!" grins Mike.

The demonic driver screeches into heap of trouble when he chooses his next victims: bernathy (Dawson), Kim (Thoms), Lee (Winstead) and Zoe (Bell), who know a thing or two about driving with intent to kill.

Quentin Tarantino's affectionate tribute to 70s-era exploitation films puts the pedal to the metal during its bravura action sequences, orchestrating a gruesome car crash and a white-knuckle chase sequence.

This climactic demolition derby is a sight to behold, with stuntwoman Bell perched on the bonnet of a 1970 Dodge Challenger as it tries to outrun Mike's steed.

The vehicles screech at dizzying speed, houses and trees a blur as Bell straddles the lead car, absorbing each collision and sideswipe.

It's a tour-de-force sequence, accomplished without any digital trickery, ensuring Death Proof ends on an adrenaline high.

Performances in the first segment are lack lustre but improve greatly in the second half, building to that incredible finale.

DVD Extras: Hot Rods Of Death Proof featurette; Stunts On Wheels: The

Legendary Drivers Of Death Proof featurette; Introducing Zoe Bell featurette, Kurt Russell As Stuntman Mike featurette; Finding Quentin's Gals featurette; uncut version of Baby It's You performed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead; The Guys Of Death Proof featurette; Quentin's Creative Collaborator: Editor Sally Menke featurette; Double Dare trailer; poster gallery, theatrical trailers.

CAPTION(S):

ACTION it's turbo-charged