by Deanna Mitchell
As the lights came on and the credits rolled up the screen, a familiar expression came to my mind: “By George, he’s done it again.” Quentin Tarantino has delivered another unique cinema with a script that still holds his signature style, but resembles old spaghetti westerns that made Clint Eastwood famous. With a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Diane Kruger and Eli Roth, it would be impossible for “Inglourious Basterds” to be a bust.
The film is set in Nazi-occupied France where two parallel parties plot to assassinate the head honchos of the Nazi party. As simple as the plot may seem, Tarantino refused to let the story unfold so easily. He is known to focus on intricate details, and does this tastefully throughout the film to build anticipation and suspense in each chapter, leaving the audience eager to see what else is going to happen.
Unfortunately, this technique drags out the slower scenes, and can cause the audience to become antsy and impatient in their seats. He compensates, though, by taking his time to develop his characters, making the audience feel a certain way towards each one, thus passing the time a little faster.
Initially, one would be under the impression that it’s Brad Pitt who makes the movie. On the contrary, it is actually Christoph Waltz who delivers an outstanding job as playing the antagonist. Pitt’s character is meant to mirror the stereotypical American, and is therefore not as difficult to portray. Waltz, on the other hand, had to impersonate a very complex character, and succeeds beautifully. There are times I felt he went a little over the top with it, but he makes you hate him, which is what a “good” bad guy is supposed to do.
One may also notice some characteristics in this film that have been seen in Tarantino’s previous works, such as Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 and Pulp Fiction, but he is careful not to completely mimic his previous works by adding twist and turns that make any resemblance original.
Tarantino has never held back when it comes to violence, and the graphic nature of it, and he depicted the explicitness that is appropriate for the time period. It’s not overdone, but the ruthlessness behind the violence can make you a bit uncomfortable. In fact, Tarantino keeps his film historically and culturally correct (for the most part). The only issue with this is that the actors switch languages in the film, and the audience’s attention is more on the subtitles than on what is going on in the scene. It takes away from the movie, and the actors can not be appreciated.
Tarantino has made this movie an artistic masterpiece that is entertaining for those who can appreciate his work from a more aesthetic point of view. This movie is great for people who appreciate westerns, or even Quentin’s work, but it is too long and complicated for those looking for simple entertainment.
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