The Tarantino-Waltz Show---Welcome

Rating: 9/10 (23 August 2009)

Quentin Tarantino, one of the most iconic film directors of cinematic history, has created one of his best efforts yet in Inglourious Basterds. There's so much brilliance that Tarantino brings to the table in his newest film. Most notably, it's an unconventional World War II film that is not to be taken as a biopic or anything that resembles history. Tarantino tackles the tough subject matter with respect and diligence. He lives in a time of horror and torment and breathes new light into a repetitive subject (not that I have a problem with Holocaust films).
It's a good place to start with the marketing strategy of the Weinstein Company by advertising Brad Pitt as the star lead when its anything but. Did it get more people in the theaters? Probably. But Tarantino is such a cult phenomenon that his name alone could have filled some seats. But marketing aside, this is Tarantino's second best film of his career (can never top Pulp Fiction I guess) but his most original and clever work to date.
Brad Pitt's performance is definitely the unsung hero of the picture. It seems as if all his really terrific performances go unnoticed and they make it up with rewarding mediocre performances like last year's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Pitt has showed such versatility late in his career such as his "Jesse James" or Chad in Burn After Reading or Richard in Babel. Pitt is showing his strings of acting. Now, he brings us Lt. Aldo Raine, the leader of the "basterds" and charismatic killer of the Nazis. Pitt is intelligent, hilarious and engulfed in a role that deserves praise. His role should not, however, be interpreted as a lead role for Pitt becomes a part of an ensemble piece with different integrated parts which makes for a terrific motion picture.
At this point, we've heard the praise for Christoph Waltz whose villainous turn as Col. Hans Landa is one of the most terrifying turns in our new century of cinema. Waltz is daring and frightening to the depth of quivers rushing down your spine as you watch his monologues or hyper-tension questioning. Waltz is something of a marvel and should be considered a threat for an Academy Award next season. Going back to great portrayals such as Anthony Perkins in Psycho or Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Waltz joins the elite list of screens greatest villainous turns.
Other supporting players put forth valiant efforts. Melanie Laurent and Diane Kruger pull in strong performances in a very testosterone driven picture. Eli Roth, despite his brief screen time does the best especially with his introduction a.k.a. "The Bear Jew" monologue. The only flaw of the film is it suffers in a mid-film stalemate notably with the cameo by Mike Myers which feels forced and unnatural.
Oscar prospects? In a perfect world, it'd be in all categories. In serious light, Waltz is a definite contender in his respective category and Tarantino can find himself in the screenplay race once again if guilds take notice. Inglourious Basterds is one of the best films of the year, mark my words.
***½/****