MOVIE GEEK: 4 buckets
FILM FREAK'S REVIEW:
As a Quentin Tarantino fan, I was anxious to see "Inglorious Basterds," even though I wasn't sure what the movie was about.
Yes, the trailer gives you the basic idea of everything that goes on in the film, but you never really know what to expect from a Tarantino film.
In German-occupied France, Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema.
Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine 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 on a mission to take down the leaders of the Third Reich.
Fates converge under a cinema marquee where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own.
Other than being a Tarantino film, the obvious draw here is Brad Pitt, who's actually pretty funny and plays his part (Lt. Aldo Raine) extremely well.
The standout for me, however, was Christoph Waltz (Col. Hans Landa), who brilliantly plays the Nazi colonel responsible for tracking down Jews hiding in France. He is truly menacing throughout the film.
Even toward the end of the movie when Landa and Raine meet, both actors play off each other so well it's a joy to watch the scenes unfold.
Tarantino does not disappoint. His writing and direction are, again, top notch.
I would have liked a bit more action, but anyone who knows Tarantino also knows that's not really his style. Every scene is provocative and meaningful, and Tarantino doesn't waste one second of screen time.
The movie is two-and-a-half hours long, and I can't think of a way to cut anything out of it. I didn't find the length to be a problem because I enjoyed the movie so much.
One last thing: If you do see "Inglourious Basterds," make sure you have a strong stomach. There are some scenes that made me a little uneasy, and I'm usually down for gore. There's not a lot of it, but what it lacks in quantity, Tarantino definitely makes up for in quality.
4 buckets.
MOVIE GEEK'S REVIEW:
I love every second of this film, and coming in just under "Up," it's my favorite film so far this year.
"Inglourious Basterds" wasn't at all what I expected, but it totally exceeded all of my expectations.
Beware. This is not the movie the trailers promise. If you're going into this film expecting two hours of pure mayhem involving Nazis getting killed in every way possible, you're going to be disappointed.
This is not an action film. This is a Tarantino film. And just like all of his previous works, "Inglourious Basterds" is a dialogue-driven movie.
This is a strong film with an energy and pulse that keep building as the narrative moves forward. It's thrilling to watch and wait for the impending climax. The viewer hopes it's going to happen, but Tarantino strings all the plot points together in such a way that we worry about the rug being pulled out from under us.
I love how he keeps us guessing.
Like I said, every second of this film is fantastic.
The cast is top notch. Brad Pitt is great in the role of Lt. Aldo Raine. But this movie belongs to Christoph Waltz and his portrayal of the ultimate Nazi villain, Col. Hans Landa. I'm betting Waltz gets an Oscar nomination for this role.
Not since Hannibal Lecter has there been a more vile creature thrown up on the movie screen. He's perfect in the role.
If the film has a fault, it lies in its length -- 150 minutes. But it was so good, I still wanted more. I would have been happy to sit in the theater for another hour or so.
The film only feels like a small slice of a much grander story. Between the quest of the Basterds, the journey of Shosanna and the mental progression of Hans Landa, there are a lot of areas that could have been explored even deeper.
I have to warn you. If you're not one for dialogue-heavy films, do yourself a favor and take a pass on this.
I've always said that Quentin Tarantino movies are like sushi -- both are acquired tastes. That statement still holds true with "Inglourious Basterds."
While those who love it absolutely adore it, others would much rather enjoy a cheeseburger.
4 buckets.
