Some of Hollywood's finest

Rating: 10/10 (17 April 2016)

Apparently there's some unhappy feelings around Quentin Tarantino's 8th motion picture. I can see why. Tarantino's latest movie is a movie specialized for the fans. I can't imagine how weird this movie must feel when you haven't seen movies like Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained, because this movie is a gift for the fans of Quentin who loves Ennio Morricone, Samuel Jackson and long, moody dialogs. I can agree that Tarantino doesn't challenge Hollywood and himself as much as he could. But when it's Tarantino i'm watching, i want Tarantino.
Without revealing too much of the plot i can tell that The Hateful Eight circles around 8 strangers. The first one we meet is Major Marquis Warren(Samuel L. Jackson) in the cold. After his horse collapsed, he has to hike with another fellow bounty hunter: John Ruth(Kurt Russell), and his travel companion: the wanted criminal: Daisy Domergue(Jennifer Jason Leigh) to Red Rock where they have different kinds of business. On this trip they get another companion, as Chris Mannix(Walton Goggins), a man who claims he's the new sheriff in Red Rock appears in the cold. Because of an ongoing blizzard who concerns the travelers, they have to take shelter in Minnie's Haberdashery. When they arrive, Ruth, Warren, Domergue and Mannix meets 4 other strangers: Oswaldo Mobray(Tim Roth), Mexican Bob(Demian Bichir), Joe Gage(Michael Madsen) and Sandy Smithers(Bruce Dern). John Ruth on the other hand, suspects that one or more of the other travelers has some desires to stop him of delivering Domergue to the authorities and claim his 10.000 dollars. This and history between some of the strangers, is some of the complications the 8 strangers have to deal with.
The title itself seems like a wordplay of the movie: The Magnificent Seven, but i don't think Tarantino tries to be classic 1930's-western. He is well aware of his own trademarks, and how he uses them. It has also been a long time since i have seen Samuel L. Jackson in this form. His performance as Major Marquis Warren was overlooked at the Oscars, and should be remembered as one of his best performances. Kurt Russell is amazing as John Ruth «The Hangman». Jennifer Jason Leigh got a deserved Oscar-nominee. Walton Goggins is one of the most promising stars in Hollywood right now and does a fine job. Demian Bichir is one of the funniest roles in the movie but unfortunately he gets a bit forgotten because of few lines and the other actors. Tim Roth does possibly the best role in the movie as Oswaldo Mobray, and is both funny and brilliant as one of the most sneaky and interesting characters. Michael Madsen is always a joy in Tarantino-movies, but i feel his role is a bit repetitive and feels almost like his Mr. Blonde-character from Reservoir Dogs in disguise. It's amazing to see Bruce Dern in his age play such a complex character.
The pictures and the soundtrack is like drugs, and is some of the best i've seen in my life. The landscape-pictures in the start, and the whole intro sequence colored by Ennio Morricone's beautiful soundtrack is one of the biggest movie-kicks i've had in many years. Even though this movie has it's flaws, it's still one of the best movie experiences i've had in many years. This is Tarantino's second western-feature, and even though his western- movies has been satisfyingly original and moody but i hope Tarantino doesn't overuse the western-theme. According to the man himself, a gangster-flick similar to Bonnie and Clyde, in Australia. If that's so, that would be the movie i'm most looking forward to of all up and coming movies. Tarantino has said this is his 8/10 movies, which means there's 2 more to go and our generation's best director isn't done.
SORRY ABOUT THE MISPELLING OF SOME WORDS, IM FROM NORWAY ;)