Simply an Epic!

Rating: 10/10 (15 September 2014)

Tarantino has directed some very iconic and entertaining films over the years, but, in my opinion, Django Unchained really takes the cake. It really is arguably his best piece of work! After directing a film based in the WW2 setting, Tarantino decided to move into the western genre, to great effect (even though it's actually set in the antebellum south, but still). The movie demonstrates that Tarantino can turn to gold whatever he puts his hand on.
In terms of directing, Tarantino did a super job. The scenes are paced to absolute perfection, with the created atmosphere and tension in certain scenes keeping the viewer on a knife-edge. I found myself on the edge of my seat so much when watching the movie, but don't worry, even with all of the build-up, there are still plenty of action scenes. In fact, I really could say that the way in which the action is balanced out with the tension is just perfect. It puzzles me why some people said the directing was messy and the scenes were untidy, because this really isn't the case. I guess you could say that some of the comedic violence is a bit messy, but that really just added to the epic nature of the film. I mean, how can you have a Tarantino film without some of the ol' over-the-top scenes, it only add to the quality.
The plot was just epic as well. It, just like the directing, is perfectly paced and the way in which it develops and unfolds. The plot is very much complex and yet easy-to-follow. The character development of the film is also pure gold, and it is really backed up by the acting.
Jamie Foxx played Django incredibly well. The way in which the character develops is simply amazing, from the humble slave to the man on a mission, and again it's interesting to see the contrast from his stand-up comedy to the more serious role as the main protagonist in this film. Waltz was pure gold in his portrayal as Schultz, and Tarantino again toys with the audience by putting Waltz in a completely opposite role than what he was in Inglourious Basterds, and yet, Waltz is still able to portray this role with the exact same sophistication as his previous character had in Inglourious Basterds, even though the roles are reversed.
But the most outstanding acting performance must go to Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio was just pure gold in this film, and the antagonist of Calvin Candie has to be added to the list of iconic film villains in cinema history, as the pure arrogance, greed and soulless nature of the character just really makes him memorable. It's so strange to see the once innocent DiCaprio from Titanic make his transition into the far more darker roles that he is portraying now, again another way Tarantino plays with the audience. I also have to give credit to Samuel Jackson, who you could tell really had fun portraying a humble but menacing role rather than his common loud and tough roles he played in most of his movies such as Jules in Pulp Fiction.
Overall this film is an absolute epic! I'd call it one of the most entertaining and iconic films of the 21st Century so far, and I really put it at least on par with Pulp Fiction. In fact, in my opinion this one really is Tarantino's best work. Absolutely a 10/10 from me.