Review: Inglorious Basterds
Anyone else's theater have this displayed as "Inglorious B" since apparently even when spelled incorrectly, "Basterd" cannot be displayed at a movie theater. (Although "Meet the Fockers" is apparently fine?)
Quintin Tarantino does not disappoint in this WWII Nazi explotation flick. While it's got quite the running time (153 mins) it never gets boring. The story is almost 3 different stories woven into one. The main one being a group of Jewish-Americans led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) are dropped in France for one reason, and one reason alone: Killin' Nazis. Yes, they are referred to as the "Basterds" they don't just shoot the Nazis, they scalp them, terrorize them, and have the Bear Jew (The man behind the 'Hostel' flicks, Eli Roth) bash their heads in with a baseball bat. The ones that they do let live get a swastika carved on their forehead. Oh yes, the Basterds are brutal, but it's all in good fun. After all, their killing Nazis, and their hilarious while doing it. Brad Pitt's Tennessee accent is my favorite part of this film (including a later scene when Pitt attempts to speak Italian..in that accent) Tarantino's directly style makes it even better. With his catchy soundtrack and in-your-face effects (You'll remember the name Hugo Stiglitz after its flashed across the screen) it makes everything so over the top, smart, and fun. The more dramatic story in the film belongs to Shoshanna (Melanie Laurent) a young Jewish woman who was being hidden from the Nazis, only to have her family murdered by Col. Hans Landa (Christopher Waltz) and his guards. She escapes, while Landa watches her, and assumes a fake name and now runs a cinema in France. She catches the attention of Frederick Zoller (Daniel Bruhl) a star officer who is having a film made about him. Although she's not interested, Zoller pushes for his film's premiere to be held at her venue. Its there she decides she will get her revenge. The story that ties them together is of Bridget von Hammerssmarck (Diane Kruegar) as an actress/undercover who enlists the help of The Basterds to also sabotage the theater.
I've always been a fan of Tarantino's films. Yes he can get quite chatty, and the films pace begins to slow, but it doesn't happen in this film. There's a lot of talking, and of course..Tarantino's signature feet shots, there's so much story here that it is impossible not to pay attention. The eerie beginning gets us focused, the comic relief from Pitt keeps us laughing, and the determinded performance of Laurent makes us root for her. Waltz is particularly scary as Col. Landa. The cast gives a great performance, the cinematography was nice, and although the film is long it never makes us glance at our watches. Extra bonus points to go the intriguing 'Inception' trailer attached to the film (Or at least in my theater's case) Some people may not like the ending (SPOILER::::::it creates a new ending for WWII) but I think it worked. It's over the top, it's Tarantino! Would you expect anything less?
Recommended: Yes. 4.5/5 stars. Memorable quote: "Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz, we just wanted to say we're a big fan of your work when it comes to killin' Nazis..." - Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt)
Honorary Mention: "You know, fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being, you're fightin' in a basement!"
Quintin Tarantino does not disappoint in this WWII Nazi explotation flick. While it's got quite the running time (153 mins) it never gets boring. The story is almost 3 different stories woven into one. The main one being a group of Jewish-Americans led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) are dropped in France for one reason, and one reason alone: Killin' Nazis. Yes, they are referred to as the "Basterds" they don't just shoot the Nazis, they scalp them, terrorize them, and have the Bear Jew (The man behind the 'Hostel' flicks, Eli Roth) bash their heads in with a baseball bat. The ones that they do let live get a swastika carved on their forehead. Oh yes, the Basterds are brutal, but it's all in good fun. After all, their killing Nazis, and their hilarious while doing it. Brad Pitt's Tennessee accent is my favorite part of this film (including a later scene when Pitt attempts to speak Italian..in that accent) Tarantino's directly style makes it even better. With his catchy soundtrack and in-your-face effects (You'll remember the name Hugo Stiglitz after its flashed across the screen) it makes everything so over the top, smart, and fun. The more dramatic story in the film belongs to Shoshanna (Melanie Laurent) a young Jewish woman who was being hidden from the Nazis, only to have her family murdered by Col. Hans Landa (Christopher Waltz) and his guards. She escapes, while Landa watches her, and assumes a fake name and now runs a cinema in France. She catches the attention of Frederick Zoller (Daniel Bruhl) a star officer who is having a film made about him. Although she's not interested, Zoller pushes for his film's premiere to be held at her venue. Its there she decides she will get her revenge. The story that ties them together is of Bridget von Hammerssmarck (Diane Kruegar) as an actress/undercover who enlists the help of The Basterds to also sabotage the theater.
I've always been a fan of Tarantino's films. Yes he can get quite chatty, and the films pace begins to slow, but it doesn't happen in this film. There's a lot of talking, and of course..Tarantino's signature feet shots, there's so much story here that it is impossible not to pay attention. The eerie beginning gets us focused, the comic relief from Pitt keeps us laughing, and the determinded performance of Laurent makes us root for her. Waltz is particularly scary as Col. Landa. The cast gives a great performance, the cinematography was nice, and although the film is long it never makes us glance at our watches. Extra bonus points to go the intriguing 'Inception' trailer attached to the film (Or at least in my theater's case) Some people may not like the ending (SPOILER::::::it creates a new ending for WWII) but I think it worked. It's over the top, it's Tarantino! Would you expect anything less?
Recommended: Yes. 4.5/5 stars. Memorable quote: "Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz, we just wanted to say we're a big fan of your work when it comes to killin' Nazis..." - Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt)
Honorary Mention: "You know, fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being, you're fightin' in a basement!"
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