A Quentin Tarantino film, praised as ‘incredible’ by enthusiasts, continues to spark debate among movie lovers about whether it remains the best introduction to the filmmaker’s work.
Tarantino, now 62, launched his directing career 33 years ago with a now-celebrated heist thriller known for its frequent use of profanity, depictions of violent crime, and non-linear narrative style.
Featuring Chris Penn, Tim Roth, and Harvey Keitel, with additional performances by Randy Brooks, Steven Wright, and Kirk Baltz, this cult favorite was named the ‘Greatest Independent Film of All Time’ by Empire Magazine in 2008. It continues to receive positive reviews online.
A recent viewer on Rotten Tomatoes exclaimed, “Incredible movie! It’s impossible this was Tarantino’s first movie!”
Another commented: “What a great mystery and masterpiece from Tarantino. This was a great first film of his and very basic with its premise and plot, yet so awesome. The performances are stellar and so is the writing. This was merely the beginning too! What great casting choices!!”
The film in question is, of course, Reservoir Dogs.
One fan noted that while Reservoir Dogs’ storytelling may not match Pulp Fiction, its ‘simplicity’ and ‘non-traditional narrative’ make a strong impact.
Another fan described it as “the greatest crime drama since The Godfather,” adding, “It was Quentin’s best movie and Michael Madsen stole the picture.”
“RIP he was a fine addition to the cast and Harvey [Keitel] and Lawrence Tierney were great as well. This is how to write dialogue. What a movie. I miss old Hollywood, it is gone now,” they continued.
Beyond the glowing reviews and an impressive 94 percent Tomatometer score, Tarantino’s 1992 film has earned a 4.1-star average rating on Letterboxd and is among actor Bruce Willis’s favorite projects.
In a 2007 interview, Willis mentioned watching Reservoir Dogs ‘three to five times a year’ at one point, alongside Dr. Strangelove, Raging Bull, and Spartacus.
Since Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino has added numerous films to his repertoire, including 2007’s Death Proof, 2009’s Inglourious Basterds, and 2015’s The Hateful Eight.
So, if you’re delving into Tarantino’s works for the first time, where should you start?
As Reservoir Dogs marks Tarantino’s first directorial effort, many film aficionados consider it the ideal starting point.
However, opinions vary – some Reddit users suggest new fans of the Tennessee native might skip a chronological approach and begin with Pulp Fiction or even Kill Bill.
“Pulp Fiction was his explosion into the mainstream, so I’d say that. It’s the most loved film he’s made,” one social media user argued.
Another shared: “Django Unchained was my introduction, and that jump started my Tarantino adventure. Inglourious Basterds might also be a good jumping-off point. His work naturally gets more refined as his career progresses, which I feel makes the rawness of his early work all the more interesting.”
While some people may not ‘rate’ Tarantino as highly as others, they would still recommend starting with Pulp Fiction as it is arguably his ‘most appreciated and well-known’ work.
Meanwhile, others suggest focusing on films he wrote, such as 1993’s True Romance, 1996’s From Dusk till Dawn, and the upcoming Adventures of Cliff Booth.
If you’re still unsure, perhaps insights from the filmmaker himself might help.
Earlier this summer, the American director shared his thoughts on the film he believes only he ‘could’ve made’, as well as which project is his ‘favorite’.
Speaking on The Church of Tarantino podcast, the Jackie Brown creator said: “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is my favorite, Inglourious Basterds is my best.”
Explaining why he considers Kill Bill the ‘ultimate Quentin movie’, he said: “Like nobody else could’ve made it.”
“Every aspect about it is so particularly ripped, like with tentacles and bloody tissue, from my imagination and my id and my loves and my passion and my obsession.”
“So I think Kill Bill is the movie I was born to make, I think Inglourious Basterds is my masterpiece, but Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is my favorite.”
So, for those new to Tarantino, the question remains: where do you want to begin? Bruce Willis’s repeat watch Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino’s ‘favorite’, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, or Pulp Fiction? Feel free to share your thoughts.