A Modern Masterwork

Rating: 9/10 (2 July 2013)

THE GIST: Quentin Tarantino has defined himself as an auteur in the good sense of the word. His films have gone on to hallow the halls of the Cinematic Hall of Fame, but this, as a character says in the very film, may be his masterpiece. Full of rich, wonderful characters, careful plotting, a brilliant script, and unbelievably good performances (specifically from Christoph Waltz as the treacherous Nazi commander Hans Landa and Melanie Laurent as Shoshanna, the Jewish escapee). INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is a wholly revelatory work of modern cinema, one of the most important films of the 21st century to date and a revisionist fantasy full of so much cinematic depth, it would take books and essays to cover all that is at play here. Some have called it the World War II film to end all World War II films, which I would agree with. The film's only hindrance comes in it's final act, or "chapter" as Mr. Tarantino would refer, which lacks some of the subtlety that the first 4 chapters had so enchantingly.
THE BEST PART: The thrilling and dynamic opening scene, full of suspense in the classic Hitchcockian sense of the word. One of the best opening scenes I've certainly ever seen.
THE VERDICT: Quentin Tarantino is a landmark filmmaker as proved especially with his truly awesome and provocative INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. Continuing a discussion of cinema itself as well as revenge, both physically and mentally (for the audience), the film will live on as one of the modern classics of the era.