The latest violent masterpiece from critically acclaimed auteur, Quentin Tarantino, this
modernized American western was released nationwide on Christmas day, quickly recouping its $100
million dollar budget.
This decidely R-rated picture is already in IMDB's top-50 highest rated user-rated films
of all time, and for good reason: besides "The Avengers", I can't think of a 2012 movie
I had more fun watching.
Featuring the story of a freed slave turned bounty-hunter who schemes to save his wife
from a nasty rich white man, this movie is fittingly scored by an anachronistic soundtrack,
wonderfully shot, brilliantly acted, and littered with dozens of swears and bloody deaths.
Following his breakout, Oscar winning performance in Tarantino's last picture, "Inglorious Basterds",
which I scored a NINE here on Movie Night, Christoph Waltz is back in a huge way: the
German actor is positively endearing and hilariously fun to watch as old-west dentist turned ruthless
bounty hunter.
His nomination for the role was unquestionably deserved, even if the Academy curiously demoted
him to a "supporting role", despite him having more lines of dialogue than anyone else.
As the title character, Jamie Foxx is a lovable hero hell-bent on justice, remarking on his
sudden profession as a bounty hunter, "Kill white people and get paid for it?
What's not to like?"
Upon hearing he is a free man, and can wear whatever he wants, the smash-cut to him riding
a horse in a bright blue fancy French suit makes for one of many scenes in this picture
that is impossible not to smile at.
Leonardo DiCapri doesn't appear until over 90-minutes into this adventure, but his performance
as the deplorable, slave-torturing and cunning plantation owner is remarkable...
it's an honest shame this immensely talented actor was once again overlooked
by
The Academy.
Continuing his decades-long relationship with the director, Samuel L. Jackson stars as a
decripit old house-slave who is impartial to the atrocities of his own people all around
him.
And while his character doesn't add much to the overall story, nothing beats seeing the
iconic star blurt out F-bombs while hobbling on a cane.
The deliberately long, and individual fleshed-out scenes are each as brilliant and entertaining
as the last, from the opening sequence where Waltz frees Django from his slave traders,
to a hilarious scene where a Ku Klux Klan rally argues over wearing poorly made bags
on their heads, unable to see through the tiny eye-holes.
While this film's middle act, especially a lengthy portion set at DiCaprio's "Candyland"
slave plantation, is bursting with tension and brilliant dialogue...
the movie's urgency is all but removed...
only to coming exploding back in the final 30 minutes with a ridiculously gratuitous
blood-bath, true to Tarantino's gory style.
As sharp and gratifying as this film's violent revenge plot is however, at two hours and
forty-five minutes, it definitely could have been shorter, especially a cameo scene by
Quentin himself, which felt particularly shoe-horned very late in the film.
Relying a bit too heavily on tired, "slaves are good, the white man is bad" subtext, even
a performance by has-been Miami Vice actor Don Johnson is entertaining and memorable.
As fun as this movie is though, it rarely surprised or impressed me, but perhaps that's
a testament to the incredibly consistent quality of all those involved.
Django Unchained, "Classic Tarantino, extremely satisfying adventure".
Now lets check out the YouTube comemnts to read your reviews.
Django Unchained... a TEN and a NINE.
Unanimous praise was given to nearly every aspect of this film: with the standout highlights
being the uncompromising violence, and the incredible acting from the entire cast, you
thought it was AMAZING.
It's difficult for me to dish out the highest rating so soon after seeing a movie, time
will tell if this picture is as memorable as I think it can be.
For now though, it just misses the mark, due to some unfortunate pacing issues, a one-dimensional
villains.
But no-doubt, this is a strong AWESOME from me, one of 2012's best.