Tarantino takes on the western in Django Unchained

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2012)

Over the years Quentin Tarantino has delivered some great films each getting better than before, but always stepping into new and different territories. After the smash success of his period film Inglourious Basterds, he once again travels back in time to tackle a period piece with Django Unchained. While there are some moments that pay homage to the original Django film starring Frank Nero, this is in fact an original film by Tarantino, but with its dark subject matter will it be too much for even Tarantino?
Django Unchained follows a former dentist turned bounty hunter and a slave that he trains to become his partner to earn his freedom to help get a hefty bounty, but leads them into a face off against a ruthless plantation owner in hopes to free his slave wife. This is easily Tarantino's best film to date. He has taken a subject that is so dark and depressing and somehow managed to deliver something funny, violent, and intense like only he can. Jamie Foxx steps into this role and gives his all delivering a great performance. At one time it was talked that Will Smith was up for this role, but thankfully Foxx took it on because he has done something special here. Christoph Waltz is as good as always delivering a unique charm and charisma to his performance that really sucks you in. DiCaprio is not only as brilliant as ever, but throws everything he can into a role that is like nothing he has delivered before. The rest of the cast including some surprises all do a great job to bring this wonderful dark west to life. It's amazing how many really funny moments are in this film based on the subject matter. Most of these funny moments are not always intentional comedy, but just the ridiculous nature of how things were during that time. In addition the funny and dark moments, there is some vintage Tarantino with easily one of the most violently bloody western shoot outs to be seen in some time.
While everyone has their Tarantino favorites, it will not be a surprise if this one tops them all as the most ambitiously brilliant piece of cinema. Tarantino wanted to make his own spaghetti western and has done that and so much more. This once again proves the brilliance of Tarantino and sets the bar high for whatever he decides to do next, much like Inglourious Basterds did before it. If you like westerns, blood, Tarantino, or anyone involved in this film you need to get out and check it out. It has a run time of about 2 hours and 45 minutes but moves along and entertains so much you will never notice.