Tests your patience, but all builds up to a satisfying pay-off

Rating: 9/10 (6 February 2016)

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
In Wyoming, at the end of the Civil War, bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) is making his way across the snow drenched mountains with his charge Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who is to be hanged. He runs into Major Marcus Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), with whom he strikes up an uneasy alliance, and they make their way to a secluded cabin. There, they encounter a whole host of colourful characters, including British hangman Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), surly cowboy Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), who just wants to get home for Christmas, and grouchy old confederate General Sandy Smithers (Bruce Dern.) But their circumstances for being there may not be as innocent as it seems.
I recently brought a box set of what are all presumably regarded as Tarantino's finest films, which, owning a lot of DVDs as I do, helps to condense space and make room for other titles to be added. Despite his highly acclaimed status in the film world, the man is highly selective, and in comparison with other contemporaries, has only really made a handful of films in a twenty five year career. This box set not only seemed to comprise presumably his finest films, but also seemed to serve as a summary of his defining years, when he established his style as a film-maker, before he took a break for a few years, and tried to make films on a grander, more ambitious scale.
The Hateful Eight is the latest film made in a style that those familiar with Tarantino's films of more recent times will be familiar, and older devotees perhaps more weary of. The first hour/half hour or so gives off the impression of him paying homage to the films he was fond of in his youth, leaving a pretentious, self indulgent air that seems the staple-mark of his work of late. His trademark use of dialogue and exposition to establish a scene is in evidence, but does nothing to convey any sense of suspense or excitement. It really tests your patience like this for quite a while, but somehow if you bear with it, once the fingers start pointing and the guns start shooting, it does pay off, and becomes a lot more intelligent and intricate, building to an unexpected and highly satisfying climax.
Cast wise, Tarantino favourite Jackson reliably takes centre stage again, eventually joined by other familiar QT faces Madsen and Roth, doing an obviously phony but enjoyably campy accentuated Brit voice. The 'comeback' stars, being another of the man's 'trademark' touches, would probably be Russell and Leigh. While these two fail to develop what could be deemed a 'double act', individually they each carry off the personas of two grumpy, hate filled individuals quite well. Towards the end, new face Channing Tatum even shows up to maybe give some appeal to a younger crowd.
It really could have done with a more involving opening, which would usually spell the death knell for most films. QT really needs to try and connect once again with his original style of film making, where his short and sweet approach worked wonders whilst applying his trade mark use of dialogue and atmosphere. All you can do is test your endurance and stick around for the impressive and satisfying final round. ****