Bingo to Tarantino

Rating: 10/10 (26 February 2010)

Is Inglourious Basterds Tarantino's masterpiece? I believe that will always be Pulp Fiction, but this film storms powerfully into second place. There are so many things which make this film simply perfect. Tarantino's script is yet again another masterpiece; witty, complexly structured and made up of a glorious blend of very long scenes and snappy one-liners. The opening 20 minute sequence is not only the finest thing Tarantino has ever written, but possibly one of the best movie openers ever. The appearance of the film is one aspect which seems to have been slightly overlooked. Visually, this film is definitely Tarantino's finest work. Beautiful set and costume design combine with stunning cinematography and art direction to create a film of dazzling colour and spectacle. Finally, the performances in the film are fabulous. Diane Kruger and Melanie Laurent give understated and well timed performances whilst Brad Pitt shines in his role as head of the basterds. However good an actor Brad Pitt is, he is simply acted off the screen by the truly astonishing brilliant of Christoph Waltz. The character of Hans Landa is possibly Tarantino's finest creation and Waltz is receiving hugely deserved acclaim for his tremendous turn. Waltz literally steals every scene and effortless owns the entire film, to the point when the audience is waiting to see him again. Waltz performs with beautiful charm and dashing elegance, camping the action up very subtly to give a hilariously flamboyant edge to his Nazi colonel. However, constantly beneath the charming smile and whimsical movements and body language lies a coldness and evil which never allows us to forget that Landa is a cold blooded and chilling man. His mental torturing of his victims is simply agonising, most notably his jovial 'chat' with a French farmer and his cross examination of Melanie Laurent over a plate of strudel. Overall, Inglourious Basterds is an audacious, ambitious and often hilarious film, certainly Tarantino's visual masterpiece and only barely not matching the standards he set with Pulp Fiction. It is Christoph Waltz who steals the show from everyone - his camply delivered 'bingo!' line will certainly ensure this character is never forgotten.