Wildly entertaining western masterpiece by Quentin Tarantino

Rating: 9/10 (14 June 2015)

It's not hard to say Quentin Tarantino has been one of Hollywood's most respected directors in Hollywood since his first outing in 1992 with 'Reservoir Dogs', the violent crime-drama that placed this filmmaker in the cinematic spotlight prior to his magnum opus 'Pulp Fiction'. His signature use of innovative storytelling, sharp dialogue, and inventive parodying of classic Hollywood subgenres have driven him to being one of the most unique filmmakers working today. He's took an idiosyncratic twist on World War II on the German front in 2009's revenge fantasy 'Inglourious Basterds' as well as a stylish spin on the martial arts genre in 'Kill Bill' and it's sequel. Tarantino takes on the western genre in Django Unchained, a revisionist western film set in the Deep South that explores an audacious, yet darkly funny spin on the harrowing period of slavery during the Pre-Civil War era. Set in the 1850s, Jamie Foxx plays Django Freeman, an African American prisoner who is freed from slavery by a German bounty hunter and former dentist, Dr. King Schultz (played by Christoph Waltz). The two embark on a journey across the South to Mississippi to save Django's wife Broomhilda (played by Kerry Washington), who is being held in slavery by sadistic plantation owner Calvin Candie (played by Leonardo Dicaprio) who has the loyalties from his trustful slave Stephen (played by Samuel L. Jackson).
Not surprisingly, Quentin Tarantino doesn't go for the typical somber tone that often suites the atmosphere of dark historical fiction, particularly the entries dealing with slavery. Instead, he flourishes the story in the tongue-in-cheek fashion that sees the plot balancing between darkly funny and political inaccuracy. Most of this comes down to a plot following Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz, both of whom exhibit some sincere performances, on a solidly pace trek through the racism-ridden south that unsurprisingly for the Tarantino fare, turns into an overblown bloodbath. Aside from this, Tarantino grants his characters with sharp dialogue and gleefully dark humor that while has the capacity to provoke chuckles, often borders on the line between smart and exploitative. The same can easily to said about his use of graphic violence that erupts towards the film's final act. At the same time, Tarantino has the hefty hand to make it entertaining, if unapologetically insolent. The star that steals the biggest spotlight is the ever-popular Leonardo Dicaprio who deprives against his usual good guy image to portray a ruthless slave owner who gets trigger happy with dropping with N-word, forces slaves to engage in a gruesome wrestling match that makes the fist fights in 'Fight Club' look tame by comparison, and and pervades with an all-out racist attitude. His portrayal is bit edgy even for the darkly comedic territory, but it marks a definite high point for him in a trophy case of Oscar-caliber performances. Frequent Tarantino collaborator Samuel L. Jackson also shines in his irreverently fuuny role as Dicaprio's loyal servant, though largely unrecognizable with his heavy make-up used to give in an appearance of an old man making him only distinguishable by his signature voice.
Django Unchained is a masterpiece! It shows a clear example that Quentin Tarantino is fantastic on taking on the western genre. However, this is quite bold and relentless on its political incorrectness making not for a solid choice for the faint of heart. Like most films about Tarantino, there is plenty of graphic violence and profanity, but if you're a big Tarantino, it should come to no surprise.