INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
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INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
2009 Movie Trailers
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mike Myers, Diane Kruger
Review by Lauren Medley
In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.
REVIEW:
I went to see this film with low expectations since the last Tarantino film I saw was 'Death Proof'. Every review I read said about Basterds was that it was Tarantino's 'masterpiece', 'his return to form'! Well they weren't wrong. This film is not like any war movie you have ever seen. Actually it's not like any Tarantino movie you have ever seen either. It's so much more. Those waiting to see this movie expecting 'Kill Bill' style action may be disappointed, but the razor sharp wit and dialogue will keep you just as entertained. For those wondering how I saw this movie before its release date, I was lucky enough to see an advanced preview.
From the opening sequence you know this is no ordinary war movie. You know you are in for something special when the opening sequence says, 'Once upon a time Nazi occupied France'. From there on you know this is pure Tarantino brilliance. But is 'Inglourious Basterds' his masterpiece? Well most critics seem to think so, but lets face it his back catalogue of films is very impressive and most could argue that all of his films are masterpieces in their own right. So what makes 'Inglourious Basterds' so special?
Next we have the star of the piece Shosanna (Melanie Laurent), she is one of the first characters you are introduced to, along with Col Landa. I won't spoil any of the details of her exploits as they are mostly major plot points, but her character is the key to all of the other characters coming together. She owns a cinema and has the misfortune to meet the Nazi hero of the moment Fredrick Zoller ( Daniel Bruhl). This is the catalyst for operation kino, which is when all the action occurs. Shosanna has seen the loss of her family thanks to the Nazis, specifically Col Landa and sees her chance for revenge when the Nazis want to hold a film premier at her cinema. Of course in Tarantino's films people have to have their revenge. Her character is one of the best female characters since 'The Bride' and has one of the best moments in the film when her image is projected on to the smoke from the fire. I can't say more then that with ot spoiling the film.
Now the 'Basterds' themselves. You are only introduced to a handful of the Basterds, firstly Lt Aldo 'Apache' Raine (Brad Pitt). Yes Brad Pitt is just as good as the trailers make him out to be and he practically steals any scene he is in, which is difficult when both him and Christoph Waltz are on screen. His Tennessee accent never drops thoughout and he has some of the most laugh out loud moments in the film. His 'Italian' accent is probably the best I've heard, he also has the most quotable speech since Jules' speech in 'Pulp Fiction', which is worth going to see this film for by itself.
With a great cast, plot, soundtrack ( which is used at some great moments and reminiscent of some spaghetti westerns and is slightly 'Kill Bill'), 'Inglourious Basterds' is one of the best and most original films I have seen in a long time. As for 'Inglourious Basterds' being Tarantino's masterpiece, it is a case of making up your own mind about it and trying not to compare to his previous films, I don't think it has the class of 'Pulp Fiction' or the smarts of 'Jackie Brown', but most people seem to think this is his finest work. To quote Aldo Raine “I think this is my masterpiece”. Masterpiece or not this is an unmissable film.
