Tarentino falls short

Rating: 4/10 (23 December 2009)

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I was disappointed in this film. Partially, no doubt, because Tarentino's formula (long periods of off-the-wall dialog punctuated by short periods of extreme violence) is wearing a bit thin for me. But mostly because the plot features two unrelated protagonists and is therefore emotionally diluted.
A better plot would have pitted either Shoshanna Dreyfus or the Basterds against the Nazis, but not both, since they were not working together and either could have unintentionally disrupted the other's plot. It's difficult to root for a character who might scuttle the plans of the other character you're rooting for.
Other complaints: 1) Brad Pitt's Tennessee accent is way over the top, particularly when he attempts to speak Italian. This is not a slapstick comedy. 2) There is no reason given or implied for Col. Landa's choice to defect. That was the turning point in the movie, yet inconsistent with his personality and unexplained. 3) Shoshanna's murder served no plot purpose whatsoever. If you're going to kill the hero, at least make it consequential. Hey, I'm a great fan of Tarentino, but there are basic principles of storytelling that even he can't ignore. Clever dialog and creative violence only go so far.