Achieves Greatness but falls short of Excellence.

Rating: 9/10 (16 March 2016)

The 8th film from director Quentin Tarantino, "The Hateful Eight", is a murder-mystery-western film about eight strangers stuck together in a lodge during a fierce blizzard while one or more is hiding a deadly secret.
I must say, this film was up to my expectations and then some. Considering I was expecting one of Tarantino's weakest films, given some of the backlash it received,but I was pleasantly surprised. I could see it being in my Top 5 favorites of Tarantino's, ranked somewhere lower than "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs", and "Inglorious Bastards", but higher than "Kill Bill", "Django Unchained", and "Death Proof". It is told in a play-esque format - with chapters and an intermission crafting the narrative structure as well as narration and long sequences of backstories, lies, confrontations and exchanges of conversation. This may be unappealing for some, but I found it charming as well as admirable of Tarantino to rely upon the strength of his cast rather than overblown action. Plus, it pays off, as the performances and the eventual action build in quality with each chapter.
The acting was both versatile and memorable, with standout performances from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell and Walton Goggins. Russell brings an intimidating, aggressive but strangely enjoyable personality to his role as John "The Hangman" Ruth while Goggins is both the funniest and most likable character, Chris Mannix, in the film. Leigh earns her Oscar nod in her supporting role as Daisy Domergue, who I found myself both hating and sympathizing with at once. Jackson steals the show, however, as Major Warren, a cold-hearted but irresistibly interesting bounty hunter that showcases Jackson's best talent in years.
Tim Roth is another standout in a cartoonish, but despicable supporting role as Englishman Oswaldo Mobray, whose exaggerated accent and mannerisms make him both unsettling and hilarious. Michael Madsen as Joe Gage, Bruce Dern as Sanford Smithers and Demian Bichir as Senor Bob are all great in their roles, as well.
All these characters fit the "Hateful" aspect but have moments of shining, likable personality. It's this conflict of flaws and strengths that make the characters the best part of the film. My allegiances switched commonly through the film, which was both more real and more gritty in it's tonal appeal. Russell as Ruth is abusive and antagonistic but later shows feelings and compassion towards both his own emotions and his allies. Jackson's Warren is a twisted, almost sickeningly evil, at times, man but has motives that make him understandable and "root- able" for. Goggins' Mannix is dim-witted, crass and biased against African Americans but has a good heart and an admirable loyalty to allies, and Leigh's Domergue is a lying, manipulative, conniving woman that still has a sympathetic side and an almost seductive (through her determination and fast talk) appeal to her. Dern's Smithers is a committer of war crimes but still holds a place in his son, Bichir's "Bob" is obviously hiding a diabolical secret but is still good mannered (and a talented pianist) Madsen's Gage is confrontational but is admirably defense of Daisy's safety, and Roth's old-fashioned, gentleman like behavior almost overshadows his blood-thirsty ways.
However, there are flaws present. A few scenes of predictably yet unsettling Tarantino-esque graphic content come across as borderline unnecessary and the pacing could be considered a tad off, as the whole first two "chapters" of the film are rather dragged out. These flaws are forgivable, but due to them, it makes holds back the film from truly being a 10/10.
That said, I found great acting, great dialogue and even better cinematography in "The Hateful Eight". The 70mm Ultra-Panivision looks great, bringing out nuances and details in both the outdoor environments and the indoor set of the lodge our characters find themselves in. Ennio Morricone's score is also great, as it builds both suspicious suspense as well as a deeply troubling atmosphere that keeps you on your toes for each tension-fueled moment of paranoia and confrontations.
Visceral, tight and suspenseful, Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" is an all round great movie that is undercut by both unnecessary controversy (This movie is not racist or misogynist - I can't stand those who have labeled it as such.) as well as legitimate flaws. While I personally didn't mind a few of them, I could understand other disliking it and even (ahem) hating it's flaws.
9/10 - Great, Superb, Nearly Excellent - "See this movie!"