Good but not Great

Rating: 7/10 (2 January 2013)

It's hard to find oneself a little torn about a movie from one of your favorite directors and came with high expectations. I'd like to say that I loved this new film, but I honestly didn't. Where should I begin?
1) The LENGTH of the movie included unnecessary scenes that jeopardized the DEPTH & QUALITY of the story. Sure I appreciate the inclusion of classic Tarantino humour and unexpected scenes... but it's starting to get old... Unlike Basterds, every scene was mind blowing, tense, and tied together... but this one had way too much excess fat that just highlighted the director's need to "meet his own criteria" and be ha-ha-ha at the expense of the storyline.
2) Nonsense strategy that involved Django & Dr. Schultz playing an elaborate unnecessary role to face Monsieur Candie... when am sure if the director had gone a different route, it would have been more intelligent. I can't put my finger on it, but the whole thing was quite.... bombastic.
3) I truly feel for Leonardo DiCaprio... this was supposed to be his year to FINALLY go home with an Oscar and with the hype that was attached to his acting in this movie... and THEN he shares 90% of his screen time with a perfect Samuel L Jackson who totally overshadows him. I was expecting him to stand out and leave a haunting impression just like Javier Bardem in No Country... but no... Leo was totally overshadowed by a brilliant Mr. Jackson. Don't get me wrong, Leo was good in this movie... but we've seen him in better roles... seriously.... Mr. DiCaprio don't ever take on another Tarantino movie ever again unless he gives you the LEADING role... you deserve it.
4) The over dramatization of blood and gore is starting to be tiring and too expected.
5) Tarantino cameos are becoming all to painful to sit through.
The GOOD:
1) Taking on a touchy, controversial topic, Tarantino is at his best with with some pretty funny moments! (ie. Big Daddy Mr. Don Johnson & Jonah Hill scene)
2) The SOUNDTRACK
3) Jamie Foxx & Samuel L. Jackson. Head on. Flawless acting.... and of course Mr. Cristoph Waltz is always a treat.
Overall, it has that shock entertainment value and comedic substance that always comes with a Tarantino movie. All my friends who I watched with liked it, so am pretty much a minority.
For it to compete with some of his best... I'm afraid it just doesn't live up to that.