Tarantino delivers and how !! Best of 2012 !

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2013)

I rarely write reviews but must admit this one compelled me to take up the task as the movie left an impressionable print on my mind. This is not only Tarantino's greatest work, but I'd rate it is as the best of 2012 and I'd be very surprised if this movie does not make it to Oscar nominations due out on Jan 10, 2013.
Let me begin with the performances. Christopher Waltz's performance is such that it is difficult to distinguish between his character and his real persona - he looks the role more than any actor has managed to look in recent memory. I wonder if Tarantino even had to direct Waltz much at all during the shooting since Waltz's craft appears to be supreme as he progresses from scene to scene with rare aplomb and with a highly charismatic screen presence. Leonardo DiCaprio as a Southerner delivers another solid performance that we have come to expect out of him. There is no doubt that DiCaprio will establish his name amongst Hollywood's greats and Django Unchained will be spoken about richly in any discussion of his legacy. Finally, Jamie Fox. Not the one to trail behind either Waltz or DiCaprio in terms of performance, Fox grows in his role and delivers the punch towards the end as Django and totally owns the climax. Since the movie revolves around his character, he has ample opportunity to showcase his talent and surely does not disappoint.
However all the aforementioned fine performances are rooted in a strong screenplay and direction. Tarantino's treatment in his movies is famous and familiar which has got him millions of fans around the world, but Django Unchained is his finest writing yet and he will attract additional fans due to the superb script of the movie. It is a monumental task to keep one glued to the proceedings for 2 hours and 45 minutes, but the screenplay is so tight that you're kept on the edge of your seats throughout and there is no realization of the lengthiness of the movie at any time during watching the movie. The locations of the movie, especially of the southern plantations are superb, and keep the feel of the movie fresh and very engaging. The dialogues are very witty and do justice to the time depicted by the movie. Many viewers feel that there is excessive use of the N word in the movie, however I found complete originality in the use of the word however frequent it was and ensured that the flavor of the time is impressed upon the viewer. Of course, we have no place for such a word in our society today but Tarantino does not shy away from using it often in the movie because of the period the movie is set in.
I did not go into the movie with any expectations from it other than being thoroughly entertained. Although the movie totally lived up to my expectation and much more, it taught me a few things about the dark era of slavery. I feel historically enriched and better understand the plight of the slaves, and feel so proud that the nation chose to face a civil war than continue such barbaric practices.
To Mr. Tarantino: you already are the Oscar winner for this movie in my eyes. For Best Film. For Best Direction. And for the Best Original Screenplay. I don't think anything else comes close yet in 2012. And even if you get none of the awards because our scholarly friends at the Academy chose Lincoln or some another work, be rest assured that we fans are glad we had Django to closeout 2012 with a bang and on a very high note ! Thank you and look forward to seeing more of you more often.