A weird ride.

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2019)

This was my first Tarantino feature in a theater, and I was hugely excited because of that. I find it impossible to rank his films because I love all of them so much, especially Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained. I had some expectations from a QT movie.
What followed next was the most self-indulgent QT has ever been in his career. It's literally a movie about a normal day in a struggling actor's career, with a stunt double and a stunning actress as a next-door neighbor. Lots of 60s kitsch that helped make the movie, dialogue that'll make you laugh riotedly, and good performances all round.
However, it felt underwhelming. Maybe it's possible because of the marketing or what, but I didn't feel that same thrill I felt in most of his other movies. I like the subtle referential style he adopts in this movie, where he references his own filmography, or that of the old times. But, it feels too slow. Too much driving, for one.
However, I still give it a high rating because of how entertaining it proves to be. The final 30 minutes are full-blown Tarantino that we deserved. One could say it was worth the build-up, and it is a happy ending. There's some great, memorable scenes as well, most notably the one between Bruce Lee and Cliff Booth who's Brad Pitt's character. It also has everything else essential to a QT movie - killer (very killer, indeed) soundtrack, snappy dialogue, faithfulness to the period.
It's not QT's best, but it is his most experimental and self-indulgent. It's also a weirdly enjoyable ride, and doesn't feel boring for too long. It's not an instant classic, but it's a ride you should sign up for.