MovieChat Forums > Death Proof (2007) Discussion > Didn't understand Stunt Man Mike's react...

Didn't understand Stunt Man Mike's reaction in the 2nd half (Spoiler)

posted 8 years ago by steve1049
9 replies | jump to latest

I couldn't understand why Stunt Man Mike getting shot in the arm towards the end totally changed his persona. I mean the guy had no issues driving head on into the girls' car from the first half of the film. And unless he was lying to the girls at the bar in the first half of the movie, it sounds like he's taken a lot of hits and injuries, like the scar on his face Then he gets shot and all of a sudden he's acting so freaked out and acts like he is royally screwed even after temporarily getting away from the girls in the White Challenger. It just seemed weird to see him overreacting so much. I mean I'm sure it hurt like a mo-fo. It just seemed out of character.

Is it because the car is Death Proof and it was such a shock for him to get hurt by the gun shot? As if he feels invincible in the car, but in actuality, he's a really weak person without it? He was a cool devious character up until the gun shot wound part. It's kind of a shame Tarantino ruined his character at the end.

I gotta admit too. I would've rather have seen Stunt Man Mike win against the girls in the White Challenger. They were really arrogant and annoying. Probably more so than the girls in the first half.

[–] illnagas (457) 6 years ago

Just my two cents...

I kinda agree and I just thought they were really going over the top and indulging in the retribution. All of a sudden the big mean guy picking on innocent girls is really just a big baby deep down and the girls rub his face in it.

I guess I usually expect the good guys to win but they kinda killed it with death proof. There was no suspense at all for the last 10 minutes or so. I knew mike would lose and it took them way too long to get to it

[–] mikethemartian (6714) 6 years ago

I assume it was because he was really a chicken pretending to be tough. Similar to how bullies act when they are part of a group but you get them alone and suddenly they aren’t so tough.

[–] Ace_Spade (9544) 6 years ago

100% this.

Stuntman Mike was cocky when he had all the power, but any shift in dynamics and he turned into a wimp. He's like every jerk would-be comedian you've ever met who will rip on people all day, but starts crying because they can't take a joke.

[–] Shibez (910) 5 years ago

I think you pretty much answered your own question..I would also like to add that I think Kurt played that scene Perfectly. He acted like he had just been shot...which I'm told is pretty painful.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21460) 5 years ago

Many serial killers kill as some form of sexual release and Stuntman Mike is no different. During the crash at the end of the first half of the movie he climaxes as he collides head on with the girls. The crash is almost like a rape of these women, they are killed in the process, Mike achieves orgasm and any broken bones or damage inflicted on him are sustained at his peak high.

The second set of ladies out fox him and he believes he has killed Zoe Bell’s character as she is hurled off the hood and crashing out into the field. He achieved his orgasm during this act and even told the two remaining girls, who he knew he could not out drive, thanks for the good time or something to that effect. He is shot through the arm and flees. As in many gun shot wounds the pain is not immediate but sets in during the chase, which he knows he cannot win, and he is no longer on a peak high that is how he usually sustains injuries.

We see the real Mike. A psycho who preys on innocent women who can only take pain at the height of orgasm.

This is my take anyway.

[–] atomicx (235) 4 years ago

Height of orgasm?

It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but I must have totally missed the orgasm part.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21460) 4 years ago

Well, it’s just a theory. It doesn’t actually show him beating off at the point of impact. 😆

[–] Martoto (5024) 4 years ago

It's pretty obvious.

Mike thought it was all one way with no comebacks. Preying on women because he perceives them as weaker/dumber than him. Classic bully.

As soon as anyone pushes back he screams like he's the victim.

[–] contreras (470) 3 years ago

There's a huge difference between a stunt injury where you're surrounded by friends and colleagues who come rushing to help you and nurse you back to health and a combat situation where the enemy is going to keep coming and take advantage of your injury despite the pain and damage. Not to mention Mike seemed to had never been through something like that.

I think the reaction was pretty realistic, a nice change from movie heroes and tough guys that keep their cool at all times.