A New Kind of Western Movie

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2014)

Ever since Quintin Tarantino came out with his movie Inglorious Basterds, he left his fan base wanting more. They wanted a Western adventure movie with two memorable lead characters, and they got exactly what they were asking for with the release of Tarantino's newest movie Django Unchained. Django Unchained is a movie that has redefined what it means to be a modern day Western movie. Nobody, not even Tarantino, could have guessed that this Western-Adventure/Drama would have been such a hit with today's public! With the remarkable plot, intense writing of the script, outstanding acting, and the sprinkles of comedy placed in throughout the movie, Django Unchained is definitely a movie for the record books. The movie starts out in 1858 with the main character of the movie, Django, played by actor Jamie Foxx. Django starts out as a slave that was being moved along by two slavers when the supporting character, Dr. King Shultz, comes in. Dr. King Shultz is a German bounty hunter portrayed by Christopher Waltz (best known for his role in Inglorious Basterds as Col. Hans Landa). Dr. King Shultz finds Django and buys his freedom in exchange for some help with finding three criminals named the Brittle Brothers. Now the stage is set for a duo like no other. They track down the Brittle Brothers, find them, and then kill them. After this Django and the Dr. are discussing what Django is going to do with his new freedom. Django tells him that he plans on finding his wife Broomhilda Von Shaft (played by Kerry Washington). After hearing this, Dr. King Shultz gives Django an option to work with him, collecting bounties through the winter. Soon after the winter is over they find out that Broomhilda was sold to Calvin J. Candie, (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), and was brought to his plantation that is watched over by the "head slave" Stephen (played by Samuel L. Jackson). The rest of the movie is all about how Django and Dr. King Schultz work together, crafting a plot, to get into Candie land and save Broomhilda. The movie itself was phenomenal, and that's not just my opinion. The critics also agree, and in 2013 awarded the movie Django Unchained an Oscar for the Best Writing, Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture. As far as acting is concerned, each individual actor's interpretation of their character is jaw dropping with how real the movie ends up becoming. Some of the actors actually did give their blood, sweat, and tears into this movie. Seen by DiCaprio in the scene at the dinner table when he smashes a wine glass with his hand. The fact that he never broke character with his bloody hand is astounding. As well, the scenery, the composition of the script, and the way each actor/actress delivered their lines, you were instantly transported into the year 1858. The fact that Tarantino was not afraid to insert the "n word" into the movie on multiple (and fitting) occasions really added to the feel of the time period you were in while watching the movie. To make the movie a little better, and just a little less serious, it also has a few dashes of humor in it as well. Some of it is obvious, while further humor is hidden under the characters and scenes. Everything about this movie just screams extraordinary. Seeing this movie was an amazing experience, and I share it with my friends every chance I get. And I can promise you, that if the movie alone won't leave you loving it, the ending of it will leave you more than satisfied.