A total shock, amazing movie

Rating: 9/10 (4 September 2009)

I had decided that I would hate this movie the second I heard about it. Reluctantly I went to go see it and I was totally blown away. I like most of QTs work, even death proof, which I thought was a little weaker than his earlier movies, but this one left me speechless.
I've read quite a few negative comments, and I will have to agree that this is a love it or hate it film. If you want to find historical errors and features to dislike about it, there are many, but if you allow yourself to become immersed in the amazing tension building scenes and truly spectacular depth of every character, you will love it.
At first, I though that Brad Pitt would annoy me the entire film, but he turned into a splendid comical counterpoint to the incredibly human, intelligent, and sadistic Nazis, and the driven, committed, wounded Jewish girl, all of which are played with impressive skill. The performance of everyone is incredible, with suburb interaction and exquisitely tense spoken scenes. Tarantino is a master of bringing out the best possible performance in the best possible way, and weaving it into an intense delivery.
I was absolutely amazed at the dignity and honor they managed to give a minor character, a German sergeant who faces his coming death with stoic calm in a tense, drawn out scene. When the "bear Jew" approaches, he asks, you get this for killing Jews? and the sergeant responds "bravery". It was breathtaking, I had the feeling, here is a man worth knowing, how did he win this medal? what is his life story? And then, in the most brutal and brilliant fashion of a QT movie, he is violently killed in a way that robs him of that dignity, and shows the cruel lack of understanding replaced by the rage of the Bear Jew, who as we all know, has his ax to grind as well. Every scene contains this type of power.
I was so involved in the movie that I failed to finish my 9 dollar small popcorn, and I love popcorn.
Complaints- These are minor, but one would be that QT certainly suspends the difference between Wehrmacht and SS units. I see the necessity of this action for the movie, and in the alternate reality that he creates, who knows the history he has created? My second complaint is Mike Meyers. I did not think he found his character in this movie, his scene is awkward in that he seems to be smiling too much, and remaining too serious. He also fails to pull of the commanding presence of an older general, and sounds too young and awkward holding the paperwork. What I was looking for was 'Presence', which he lacked. In my opinion, he just did not work in that role, especially with the unbelievable Winston Churchill look alike and scene stealing arrogant British captain in the same scene.
I hate to say it, but I saw a bit of Dr. Evil, and Austin Powers in his performance. He was weak, but the scene is short, and gets to the point, and in any other movie would be successful. Here the rest of the movie is too powerful.
It was great, I intend to see it again.