Reservoir Dogs (1992) – After a simple jewellery heist goes terribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.
This post was originally written for a blogathon run by Chris (Terry Malloy’s Pigeon Coop) & Mark (Three Rows Back) and was designed to showcase the debuts of famous directors. Hence this review is mainly gibberish and me poorly describing why Tarantino’s debut is amazing, and how good he and the film is. Please try and enjoy it anyway!
What can I say about Reservoir Dogs that hasn’t already been said a million times, by people much more respectable than me? Not a lot, but I’ll throw some stuff out here anyway. For those that don’t know, the plot goes a little something like this: a diamond heist goes bad and the thieves are left to pick up the pieces back at their warehouse headquarters, all the while suspecting that a traitor in their midst sabotaged the operation.
Tarantino’s style can be seen immediately in the opening scene, and it showcases what most people associate Tarantino with; dialogue. The conversations his characters have in all his movies, I mean, you can tell a Tarantino film just by tuning in to a conversation. The smallest, most subtle things take on so much meaning, and for me no one writes like this man. I didn’t see the film on its release (as I was 10 years old) but I can imagine people watching it, wondering who the hell this Quentin Tarantino guy was, writing, directing and acting in his debut movie. Then the opening scene kicks in and we are listening to some guys talking about random things like tipping and the subtext of Madonna’s Like a Virgin song. It just holds and demands your attention, then the guys leave, the suave crew walking out of the diner in slow motion, set to the George Baker Selection’s super cool Little Green Bag. Wow. You’re just hooked, and here we are over 20 years later, the effect has not diminished at all.
I love how within this opening scene, where the issue of tipping the waitress comes up and Mr Pink’s refusal to tip, sets into action a discussion that not only tells us all we need to know about these characters but even foreshadows the events of the film. Spoilers follow……but shame on you for not already having seen the movie!! Mr Pink won’t tip, showing he mostly cares only about himself (I’ll be honest, his argument is solid and I hate tipping). Mr White believes the waitress works hard and deserves a tip, which shows despite being a criminal he cares for people, which is what leads him to be so blindly trusting with regards to Mr Orange. Mr Blonde offers to shoot Mr Pink for a joke, foreshadowing his sociopathic tendencies. Mr Orange tells Joe that Mr Pink refused to tip, playing the part of a rat, which he is. Joe pressures Mr Pink to tip and he does, showing Mr Pink is ultimately a coward. All that is gleaned from an argument about a tip. That is great writing, and a standard which he has continued throughout his career.
It’s a heist movie where we never actually see the heist. People always assume it’s a horrendously violent film, yet apart from the police torture scene – the camera even cuts away from the ear slicing – it really isn’t that violent. Most of it is set in a warehouse, with a small cast. These would be quibbles and issues I have with plenty of other films, yet with Reservoir Dogs I can’t find a bad thing about it. Everything from the dialogue to the cast to the music is not only perfect, but something which is synonymous with all of Tarantino’s films. He finds random music in Japanese clothing stores. He takes washed up actors and gives them the part of a lifetime. But mostly he just does what the hell he wants, when he wants.
As a fan, the one thing I love more than anything else Tarantino wise is that all the characters from his films are alive and real to him. They all play out in his head, and by doing so he has created an intricate, instantly recognisable movie universe – one which boasts a family tree of miscreants that overlap between movies in weird and wonderful ways. This chart shows the links, and it just emphasises the detail and thought that goes into everything he writes.
These connections – however subtle they may be – bear little effect on the plots of Tarantino’s movies. Instead, they’re like easter eggs that reward observant onlookers: in-jokes that might mean nothing to us, but mean the world to their creator. Even in his early work, Tarantino was building his own giant playground, in which not only his individual movies co-exist, but their characters’ paths cross and intersect behind the scenes.
I could go on and on about it, but I’m merely scratching the surface. Ultimately Reservoir Dogs is a work of genius by a debut director, and a film which although he has bettered in my opinion with Pulp Fiction, will easily stand the test of time. I’m hungry, let’s get a taco.
William Miller
/ October 3, 2013As you know, Tyson, this is one of my all-time favorites. I saw it when it first came out, then some months later bought the VHS tape (yes, VHS tape) and brought it over to the house of a friend of mine. I immediately made him sit down and watch it. He was as blown away by it as I was. To some first-time viewers today, I might seem like a style that is now common, but it was pretty new stuff back then. Tarantino redefined cool, and it hasn’t changed much over the past 20 years.
Also love the connections between various characters throughout his films.
Nice review,
Bill
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013VHS you say? What are they? 😉
I have seen and heard lots of people say he redefined cool, and whilst I didnt see it until a bit later in the 90’s, I was blown away by the style. As you say, his work is still top drawer, and his films whilst all being cool are all so different. The man is a genius, and I always try and make people watch Reservoir Dogs just to show how far ahead of his time QT was.
Thanks Bill 🙂
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Mark Walker
/ October 3, 2013As you know, I’ve read this already but top work nonetheless, man.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Yep, I know, just felt it should be in its rightful place here too, already classed up Mark & Chris’ sites 😉
Thanks Mark 🙂
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theipc
/ October 3, 2013Very nice, Hustler. This use to be one of my favorite movies but, over time, it’s diminished and now I kind of find it irritating. Excellent work though!!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013I dont understand how it can have diminished?! Irritating? You should (if you havent already) review it and explain, because I’m seconds away from calling the people to lock you up in a padded cell 😉
But thank you!!! 🙂
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Zoë
/ October 3, 2013Ah, loved this one!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Everyone should!!! 🙂
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le0pard13
/ October 3, 2013Still one of the most fresh and ferocious film debuts ever. Great look at it, Tyson. Well done.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Definitely, was so pleased to have got the chance to write about it for the boys’ blogathon. The best debut in my eyes. Thanks Michael 🙂
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Terry Malloy's Pigeon Coop
/ October 3, 2013I’ve already said this, but top work on this mate and thanks for getting involved with the blogathon.
Oh and I hate tipping too 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Thanks Chris. Thought I’d leave it a while before I posted it here, don’t want to repeat myself too much but felt it deserved to go on my site as it’s not often I give out 9/10’s!
Tipping, must be a British thing that we hate it. Just not our culture luckily. Thats the worst bit about travelling in my eyes. People so forceful now, asking how much you want to tip, if you want change for a $20 meal from a $50 (of fucking course I do!!) 🙂
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Al
/ October 3, 2013I brought the gas can edition of this on DVD.
I’ve seen 6 of those if you include CSI
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013I have the Blu Ray version of that. Paid a fortune too, now its about £5…….still, looks great!!! 🙂
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Al
/ October 3, 2013Yeah I got mine before I brought the blu-ray. I’ve not got round to buying that one yet.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013I also have the Mr Blonde DVD version. I’m a sucker for special editions!!
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Al
/ October 3, 2013Nah I on;y have the gas-can. I was persuaded to get it by a girl I was sweet on at the time. Didn’t work out though. I was just out of a 13 year marriage and she was still in a marriage.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Women are sent to try us and complicate things. Sounds like she had good taste in films at least!
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Al
/ October 3, 2013Yes. Her taste in men changed. So much so that she is getting divorced and moving her girlfriend in lol
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Wow!! At least I don’t get the chance to say thats the effect you have on women, turning them off men altogether! 😉
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Al
/ October 3, 2013Maybe it was me hehe. I don’t have a lot of luck when it comes to the female of the species
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Haha, I’m sure you do fine! I got lucky, if mine left me now I’d probably live alone forever. With my cat 😉
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Al
/ October 3, 2013The only reason I don’t live alone is because i got custody of the kids haha
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Lol I just envisage Alan Partridge delivering that line 🙂
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Al
/ October 3, 2013Hahaha
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013Aha you mean 😉
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Al
/ October 4, 2013You are only saying that because you are knowing you, knowing me.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013Don’t…….I will literally do this all day in retaliation. I do love Mr Partridge and annoy my wife daily quoting him 🙂
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Al
/ October 4, 2013Haha. A couple of years ago, for the 12 days of Christmas, iTunes gave away Knowing Me, Knowing Yule.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013I still watch them all every year, starting with the chatshows, then the seasons, then his new web stuff. Got his book…..just need to see the film next 🙂
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Al
/ October 4, 2013Knowing Me Knowing Yule is the only one I have ever seen
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013You owe it to yourself to see the rest. Unless you hated what you’ve seen then it’s maybe not for you 🙂
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Al
/ October 4, 2013It did give me one of those cringing smiles, so I do plan to see at least a couple of them
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Tyson Carter
/ October 5, 2013Cringe is the best way to describe the whole show!
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Al
/ October 5, 2013Haha 🙂
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garryarmstrong
/ October 3, 2013Love the stylish, funny review. The charts are ever so educational. Where’s my sniffin’ glue??
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Thank you Garry! I take no credit for making the chart, but I’m happy to ‘borrow’ it and share it with you all. 🙂
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Thomas Priday
/ October 3, 2013Great review for a bad film. I’m disappointed in you, Tyson 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Always nice to see you stop by Thomas, but we both know you are a) wrong b) a fool for not liking this movie! But thanks anyway 🙂
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Thomas Priday
/ October 3, 2013Haha, I don’t think so. How are things?
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Agree to disagree. But you’re wrong. What’s not to love here?! 🙂
Anyway I’m good thanks, baby due in 6 weeks so just counting down now. How’s things with you?
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Thomas Priday
/ October 3, 2013Eh, it’s just a pretty bland film when it all boils down :p
That’s great. Congrats again. Things are good here; I got to uni about 2 weeks ago — loving it!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Haha, bland, you joker 😉
And thanks, can’t wait!! Glad you’re enjoying uni, I imagine your too busy partying to watch films?!
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vinnieh
/ October 3, 2013Excellent work as usual.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Thank you Vinnieh 🙂
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marcwinger.com
/ October 3, 2013It’s lovely!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Glad you like it!! 🙂
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marcwinger.com
/ October 3, 2013Never seen it before so, you see, recycling is a good thing.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Worked out well then! Plus it deserves pride of place on my site a-z 🙂
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Parlor of Horror
/ October 3, 2013Love the breakdown in the ‘tip’ conversation you give here – its the things that people don’t see in Tarantino’s films that make them great!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Thanks buddy. Always does things in the minute details does QT! Such a pleasure to watch his work, and they always hold up to multiple viewings.
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ckckred
/ October 3, 2013Nice review. Reservoir Dogs is a personal favorite of mine and gave “Stuck in the Middle With You” a new meaning. Tarantino’s best after Pulp Fiction.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Thanks mate. Yeah I should really have said more about the soundtrack but it is excellent. I still listen to the album.
And yeah, Pulp Fiction is his best work for me too, that’s a definite 10/10 🙂
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Three Rows Back
/ October 3, 2013Once again, fantastic work Tyson. I really enjoyed your review and it’s just as good second time around.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013Thanks mate. I was going to duplicate images like you did but decided not to 😉
Thanks for giving me a reason to rewatch and write about it.
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Three Rows Back
/ October 4, 2013Ha ha. You’re welcome buddy. I’ll get the New York, New York to see just as soon as I’ve had chance to watch the movie. It’s almost three hours which I didn’t realise!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013Time will fly!!!! 🙂
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Abbi
/ October 3, 2013Great review and I love all the little connections. Back when I used to write fiction my characters were forever playing bit parts in each other’s stories. So much fun!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 3, 2013That’s cool you can do that, must of been fun!! I’d be useless….. 🙂
Thanks Abbi
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cindybruchman
/ October 4, 2013Loved your write up. Haven’t seen it in a decade, so glad for the reminders why I loved it in the first place. I can’t believe I haven’t seen ‘Out of Sight’ ! What a great, twisted mind Mr. T has! I only wish he’d stay out of his own films. He can’t act for shit.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013Thank you Cindy. It deserves a re-watch 🙂
I quite like his acting, in this he’s not in too much, but Dusk Till Dawn I thought he was good! 🙂
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cindybruchman
/ October 4, 2013I loved it in ‘Django Unchained’ when Mr. T. blew himself up. Brilliant. 😉
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013Still havent seen Django which Im very ashamed of. Thanks for spoiling it LOL 😉
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Tom
/ October 4, 2013…..I haven’t seen this film…………….
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013You should of picked this for our Blogathon to correct your mistakes!! 🙂
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CMrok93
/ October 4, 2013This movie is just awesome. Plain and simple. Good review Tyson.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 4, 2013Exactly. I can’t believe a couple of people here have admitted either not seeing it or they didnt like it. Fools 🙂
Thanks Dan
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Movie Review World
/ October 7, 2013Great review for a great film.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 8, 2013Thanks Al
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Todd Benefiel
/ October 9, 2013Hey Tyson! I never knew about all those characters connecting and overlapping in Tarantino films! The same sort of thing happens in Elmore Leonard novels, which I love and have read several times over; a main character in one novel is mentioned by someone else in a later novel, or a minor character (or his relatives) have minor parts over several novels. Very fun, and like you said, cool Easter eggs for those of us who appreciate such things!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 10, 2013Always nice to teach you something Todd. That’s all I aim for these days 😉
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Todd Benefiel
/ October 11, 2013And it is by your teachings I gain wisdom, Master Po.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 11, 2013Good to hear! 🙂
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sanclementejedi
/ October 10, 2013I don’t know if I could trust a man who did not like Reservoir Dogs.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 10, 2013Me neither. I’ve unfollowed those strange ones here who don’t like it 🙂
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alexraphael
/ October 10, 2013Still my favourite Tarantino and one of my all time faves. Such energy, verve and flair.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 10, 2013Doesnt quite beat Pulp Fiction for me, but still with you as one of my all time faves. Cheers Alex 🙂
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alexraphael
/ October 11, 2013Pulp Fiction is an outrageously superb work of cinema but what William Miller said had it nailed on for me. I can still remember seeing it for the first time and thinking I had never seen anything like it before. When you have a space, I’d really like to do a Desert Island article choice soon.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 11, 2013I appreciate what your saying. I was slightly late to it, then Pulp Fiction followed straight after I watched it basically and that pipped it. Just. Both incredible though, obviously 🙂
I’d love to feature your desert island choices! Just drop me an email – tysoncarter@hotmail.co.uk
Add any images you want and Ill get it posted up. Cheers 🙂
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Smash
/ October 15, 2013The dialogue is center stage in all of Tarantino’s movies, no doubt. I loved this movie the first time I saw it and I still love it just as much today. I credit Reservoir Dogs as the origin for my unexplainable crush on Michael Madsen.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 16, 2013He was a good looking man back in the day. Age and alcohol havent been too kind but he still carries himself well 🙂
Although seeing him on UK Big Brother broke my heart a little…….
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Smash
/ October 16, 2013Hahaha, yeah I should have specified that my crush is specific to the Michael Madsen of 20 years ago. And I had no idea he was on Big Brother UK!! Oh, that is just so sad.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 16, 2013I cried a little when they said his name and out he walked. Couldn’t believe it. To be fair, he came across quite well on it and finished 4th or 5th I believe. Still, deserves better!
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Monkeyboy
/ October 29, 2013Nice review Tyson. The paragraph about the tipping scene was eye opening. I’m gonna use that on people so I look super intelligent. Or something. 😀
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Tyson Carter
/ October 30, 2013Thanks buddy. I remember Tarantino saying something about it, and the table scene spelling it out, so I paid lots of attention and always think about it that way. Just think of me when you use it 😉
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