Inglorious Basterds
As the titel suggests, I will give my view on the latest creation of film director Quinten Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds. Inglorious Basterds takes you back to the Second World War and shows how it would have ended if Tarantino were to write the history books. In the film, a group of Jewish-born Americans infiltrate Nazi occupied France. The mission is, and I quote "Killing Nazis". The theatrical trailer gives the impression that this is what the entire film is about. Luckily however, the film itself does contain a storyline that justifies featuring a lot of blood, killing and scalping.
In my opinion, Tarantino has not been able to reach the level of Pulp fiction, but Inglorious Basterds is a film a true Tarantino fan can thoroughly enjoy. One of the most heard critiques is that scenes take too long. If this is your reason for disliking this film, you miss the point of Tarantino's films. While the longest conversation does take 20 minutes and the rest not much shorter, only a watch would think this is too long. The quality of Tarantino films hides in the monologues, dialogues and conversations. WWII provides the ideal period for this, while a lot of people had something to hide from the Nazis. Tarantino manages to choose words that do not exclude the possibility that the Nazi knows the other person is hiding something from him. Overall, this provides a healthy but enjoyable tension that cannot be found in a lot of films.
You cannot review Inglorious Basterds without mentioning the characters. The characters range from being clever, seductive, arrogant, annoying to downright stupid. Some characters even manage to be all at once. During the movie you will therefore experience feelings of utter hate, love or compassion with some of the personas. The character of "Hans Landa" is the best example of what a Tarantino character can do. Mastering four languages, there is little that remains unnoticed by Col. Landa. This makes him enjoyably annoying. Next to Hans Landa there is a variety of characters that possess that same quality.
Inglorious Basterds contains qualities that even people who are no fans of Tarantino's work can enjoy. I am looking forward to adding it to the Tarantino section of my film collection, where it will certainly not be a misfit.
Arrivederci
Posts
I agree with what you seed, about Quentin Tarantino films. I didn’t see your film but I did see Kill Bill. And from what you described. It seems like it have the same qualities of Tarantino films like: the monologues, dialogues, conversations and also long scenes.
ReplyDeleteHi Jochem,
ReplyDeleteI would like to react on your blog.
Your opinion is very clear(personally, I don't agree with you. But it's nice to read about somebody elses opinion) plus your blog is very well written.
You could be more critical though, you say the film doesn't reach the level of pulp fiction. Why do you think that?
I enjoyed reading..