Just brilliant!!

Rating: 9/10 (24 January 2010)

Now, I am a Tarantino fan. But no matter what you think of his films there is no denying the man is a cinematic genius. This is one of the best films I have seen in a decade and may be Tarantino's finest work.
Inglorious basterds has that awkward intensity that is the hallmark of any Tarantino flick. Forget the violence (which perhaps isn't for the squirmish) What you will remember from this film is the awkward silences, those moments when Tarantino has run a dialogue scene so perfectly to its climax, that whatever happens next is purely secondary.
The film is a fictitious story about World War 2, and 8 Jewish American soldiers (the Basterds) leading an Apache resistance against the Germans. Now, the plot itself, whilst satisfactory is not the highlight. In fact, the Basterds themselves are not even the highlight. Surely the highlight of this film is cunning SS Colonel Hans Landa, the feared Jew Hunter of the Nazi Party played by Christoph Waltz. Tarantino has create immortal characters before but this is surely his finest yet. Like all killers that fascinate us, Landa is as charming as he is deadly. He chooses whether you live or die.
Then there is the beautiful Melanie Laurent as Shoshanna, the film central protaginist, a a Jewish girl living in disguise as a theatre owner in Nazi occupied France. When it comes to be that the Nazi war hero Frederick Zoller falls for the lovely Shoshanna, the latest propaganda film starring Zoller is to premiere at her cinema, the stage is set for a final battle between the Basterds and the Nazis.
As I've said the Basterds are only a player in this film. Pitt is amsuing as the conspicuous leader Lt Aldo Raine. The rest of the Basterds are mostly background. They drive the plot are not entirely the focus.
Diane Kruger is also excellent in her role as the closet Allied German film star. The two final chapters in this film are magic. The bar scene will used as platform for young filmmakers for years to come. The violence is graphic but not unnecessary. The dialogue in this film (predominatly in German and French) is sharp, witty and engaing. The characters are brilliant. A special mention to German actor August Diehl as the suspicious Gestapo Major, who, next to Landa, delivering a menacing cameo performance that gets better with repeat viewing.
The three house flew by in my opinion. Some may say it dragged on, but with characters this good, it could've gone on for longer and I've wouldn't have minded.
A gem.