Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds Movie Review
Pulp Fiction Director Quentin Tarantino Creates Another Unique Film
Sep 10, 2009
Inglourious Basterds takes a stab at World War II and turns it completely on its head. Director Quentin Tarantino has created another unique and engaging film.
A Different Look into WW2
The film is set in an alternate history of World War II, shortly after the events of D-Day. The main focus of the film centers on a group known as “The Basterds.” Led by Lt. Aldo Rain (Brad Pitt), the Basterds are given one mission; to instill fear and torture upon Hitler’s Nazi regime. The story not only focuses on the Basterds brutal escapades, but also on a young Jewish refugee, Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent). The film main storyline centers on the Basterds and Dreyfuss. After her life-changing encounter with a German Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), she begins to seek revenge against the Nazi regime. The Basterds soon cross paths with Dreyfus and her scheme against the Nazi regime.
A Story Divided into Acts
The film is divided into different acts, similar to Tarantino’s Kill Bill saga. Each act features long periods of dialogue usually followed by a grand finale of violence and brutality. Each act does a great job of building up suspense through very well-scripted scenes. The dialogue in this movie is top-notch. Tarantino always has a way with words and loves to hear his characters talk their way through the majority of the film. In this case it works on many levels. Each act is full of dramatic conversations that eventually leading to a satisfying conclusion. Although the characters may engage in a 30 minute conversation, the dialogue is engaging and purposeful to the plot. The dialogue in the movie really serves as a way to truly introduce the characters of the film and their personalities .The film does a good job of concluding its acts on a high note with great action sequences.
“Glourious” Characters
The film is very character driven. The two stars of the show are Pitt and Waltz. Pitt excels as the no nonsense red blooded American Lieutenant. Arguably the one who steals the show is the Christoph Waltz as Colonel Hans Landa. Known as the “Jew Hunter,” he is a unique and likable antagonist. He is truly a ruthless man, yet his mannerisms and sense of humor are engaging. The Basterds are never truly given a lot of screen time individually, but collectively, they are a truly unique group of merciless and funny characters. The Basterds really distill a unique personality, mixing the tough and funny guy persona really well.
Wonderfully Violent
The special effects are also executed quite well. His violence never quite reaches to style and ridiculousness of Kill Bill, it is still purposely a little over the top. The gore and violence never becomes too excessive either. The Basterds are meant to torture their victims, so throughout the film there are many cringe worthy scenes but they all fit well into the context of the film. The action scenes are truly violent and wonderfully brutal.
The Concluding Act
Inglourious Basterds is a great way to conclude the summer. It features a simple, yet excellent and unique story. All the actors truly played their respective rolls brilliantly. The dialogue in the film is dramatic and subtly comical. Tarantino’s films usually cater to a certain audience but Inglourious Basterds seems like it can appeal to more than just Tarantino fans. Inglourious Basterds is definitely a must-see movie of the year.
9/10
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