I don’t read many reviews; in fact I tend to stay away from reviews that are larger than a postcard size write up. Everyone sees something different. Some people could care less about lighting, sound and dialogue. For me what makes a movie special, what makes it art, is its effect on me. If in this review and others to come I come off as arrogant, please excuse me. It’s just that I have expectations when I see a film; I like it to be worth something. I will try and keep reviews short, sweet and spoiler free while trying to reach out to those who still love going to the movies. Not to be first in line or to eat; but to escape. Lights, camera, review!
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Screenwriter: Quentin Tarantino
Rated: R – For strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality.
Runtime: 2H 33M
IMDB TRAILER
Synopsis: Inglourious Basterds begins in German-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution. Known to their enemy as “The Basterds,” Raine’s squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich.
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice.
Please welcome to the stage, Quentin Tarantino. After having worked on the script for almost a decade, QT’s 6th film will arguably be called his masterpiece. Delayed and delayed again, this film seemed like it was never going to happen, like that Batman vs. Superman movie we have heard about for years (and all we got so far was a teaser in that crappy I Am Legend). Difference now being, this movie just happened. It was everything he said it was going to be and more.
It’s no surprise that this World War II movie is violent. I have no sympathy for the people in the theater who left because of this (there were a few) – and also those who left during scenes that seemed to “be boring” as one exiting movie connoisseur said under her breath. Welcome to cinema. Word of advice to people going to movies opening weekend; know what you’re seeing.
Each of the five chapters in the film brings on a style of its own; some building up so much it had me literally on the edge of my seat. Brad Pitt will most likely be the only star you could point out (others you can hear), but watch out for Christoph Waltz come awards season. That performance was nothing short of mesmerizing and will be remembered for many years to come. Eli Roth, what can I say; I still dislike him. He just gives off this douche sense of entitlement, much like Brett Ratner.
There are obvious nods to his old films; something that I wished he would stop doing, but he just won’t take my calls anymore. But seriously, I can’t argue with it, the man has earned the right to do pretty much anything he wants with celluloid. I will end the review by acknowledging a scene in the film, the 23 minute basement bar scene is something I’m going to think about for a long time. It could stand alone as another film entirely and will certainly take its place among the great QT moments, you know what some of them are – Reservoir Dogs’ slice and dance number, Pulp Fiction’s heart stopper sequence, Kill Bill Vol.2’ six feet under escape, and Death Proof’s buckle up or die to name a few.
The basterd has done it again; and it’s glorious.
4 BMF Wallets out of 4
Tags: inglorious basterds, quentin tarantino, review, Reviews
