Bold, brilliant, original, tense, funny, violent, intriguing, weird...QT is back on form in this truly epic twist on WWII

Rating: 10/10 (21 August 2009)

Being my most anticipated movie of this year, I was scared while watching the previews, because I was worried that this might turn out really bad. I don't what came across, maybe I just thought Tarantino did not have it in him anymore to make another Pulp Fiction. Well, he proved me wrong in the opening credits, which opens with a glorious Ennio Morricone Spaghetti Western theme over a Kill Bill style credits sequence. I just knew he had not disappointed, and after the intense first ten minutes, which I must say are truly stunning, I was bought, this is Tarantino's best movie since Pulp Fiction. It has everything that makes a movie perfect: an eccentric cast where no one actor can be faulted, an amazing soundtrack, stylistic camera-work, an intricate and twisting plot and an outrageous ending.
Divided up into five chapters (think Kill Bill style) the film follows many characters whose paths eventually cross (Pulp Fiction style). I do not think it would be fair to go into detail, because in a film like this it is best to let the story gracefully unfold as it does. For the people who know nothing, the Basterds, led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) are sent to spread fear throughout Germany in WWII by brutally killing and scalping Nazi soldiers. Soon the soldiers have a much bigger mission, involving a cinema showing a Nazi propaganda film with all the higher powers attending, including Hitler. However, the Basterds aren't the only people with plans to wreck vengeance on the Nazis.
This fairly simple storyline is told over 152 minutes and through a huge array of characters. Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Daniel Bruhl, Omar Doom, Mike Myers and Julie Dreyfuss are among the huge cast, and all give flawless performances. Yes, Eli Roth included, everyone seems to annoyed at this, but his part is small and he does a great job with it. Brad Pitt is, as usual, excellent in a much different role, with Melanie Laurent and Diane Kruger playing excellent femme fatales. However, as I'm sure you have already heard, Christoph Waltz is the standout here in a role he will never be forgotten. He plays Lt. Hans Landa AKA the "Jew Hunter." He is evil, sadistic and utterly insane. His facial expressions, the way he talks, moves, breathes, it really is one of the best acting parts I have seen in awhile. It is a very theatrical performance and he deserves every credit he is, and surely will, receive.
As far as the story goes, well, it's typically Tarantino in its over-the-top, random, disturbing and hilarious way. It's a tribute, obviously, to many of Quentin's favourite films and music, most clearly his love of Spaghetti Westerns (Kill Bill Vol. 2 anyone). The dialogue, well, not much needs to be said apart from two big thumbs up! It's extraordinarily good (much better than Death Proof's tolerable, but not great dialogue). Inglorious Basterds is mainly dialogue, with about 65% being in German or French with subtitles, however, this is a great thing due to the nature of the script. It's so intricate, I wanted to hear what everyone had to say, furthermore, it was so very funny I just wanted it to never end. That being said, the action was a welcome pay off to the intense exchange of words between the characters. The violence is filmed with such beauty, nonetheless it is harsh, graphic, brutal and in your face.
To think it could not possibly get better, the soundtrack is one of the best yet. Full of some amazing Morricone themes, David Bowie's "Putting Out the Fire" and even some of the cool Kill Bill themes, it suits the tone of the film perfectly and matches their respective scenes perfectly. To be honest, did you expect a bad movie? Even if Quentin Tarantino doesn't make a perfect film (Death Proof, Jackie Brown), they are still bloody amazing. This however, is perfect in every way and I left disappointed that it had to end. Rarely have I ever wanted a film to just continue forever as this one did. Filmed with such enthusiasm by Tarantino, with some of his trademark camera-work and techniques (onscreen graphics, character biographies, narration) Inglorious Basterds sweeps you into the Tarantino's WWII and rest assured, you shall not be disappointed.
5/5