Looks like a dog, sounds like a dog...it is a dog

Rating: 4/10 (21 August 2009)

Inglorious Basterds is based in a 'alternate reality' wartime France. With many cameos and a long star list of A and B actors from both sides of the Atlantic. It uses the now well worn Tarantino formula of having two (usually more) main story lines converge as well as brief flashbacks to flesh out character and subplots. Whilst a lot of the reviews here would appear to be by fanboys of Mr. Tarantino the fact of the matter is that adulation, desire, wanting and hero worship will not make this film a good film and save it from critical thinking and heart-felt review...
Acting. Christoph Waltz delivers a strong performance as the main protagonist. Delivers his lines with aplomb in fact and he along with Melanie Laurent save this film from complete oblivion. Unfortunately, at the other end of the acting spectrum, we have Brad Pitt who would struggle to out-act a ham sandwich judging on his effort here. He over acts along with much of the cast whilst the rest look a little confused (except the above mention Waltz and Laurent). There is very little emotional/intellectual feel about most of the acting/dialogue and it really leaves the film flat. Brad Pitt, in my mind, is a curious case to play a leader or person of any type of authority. He has always comes across as a himbo or a male model who can act a little. Not a hardened army officer. People may point to some previous roles such as in Fight Club but in the most part he is a girly man's tough guy and in this film he again doesn't look like he could inspire or lead. His accent is school play level.
Pacing. The opening scene is good. The meeting in the basement pub is OK. Rest of the movie is tedious.
Dialogue. Again the beginning scene is good but other than a few moments where the film appears that it might get beyond second gear it falls way short of Tarantino's first two films, Reservor Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Acting, again, impedes or ruins most of the dialogue.
Believability. James Cameron once said that if you can take the ridiculous and make it believable that's movie magic. Here, Tarantino takes the ridiculous and makes it, in the most part, boring.
Quentin Tarantino has succumbed once again to self-indulgent homage, harking back to the old days of VHS b-movies that lurked within the bowels of all video stores circa early-mid 1980's. What terrible thing happened to Mr. Tarantino during those days that he can't let the past stay in the past? Or was then, the zenith of his days? Do we have to endure this seemingly endless mid-life crisis that influences his movie making palate? Not since Russ Meyer has someone generated the same style in making films and at least Mr. Meyer did it for laughs and titillation.
Verdict: 4 stars thanks to Mr. Waltz and Ms. Laurent.
See this film if you must, but I'd suggest to wait to see it on DVD or on TV.