Film Review: “Django Unchained”…


Starring: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo Dicaprio, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Today, I finally saw, Tarantino’s newest film, “Django Unchained” and here is my review.

Plot/synopsis: Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a former Dentist, buys the freedom of slave, Django. Then he trains him to become a deputy bounty hunter, so Django can go rescue his kidnapped wife who is being held by a ruthless plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo Dicaprio).

As you can see, the plot, is simple, and straight forward. Tarantino has been wanting to make a Western film for years and he finally got around to making that opportunity to do one. Just like with “Inglorious Basterds”, Tarantino re-writes history again. A re-telling of history in his own take. This film takes place two years before the Civil War, happens. Of course, this film is going to spark controversy in the news, with the constant use of the “n” word, in which Spike Lee wrongly and unfairly criticized. In Tarantino’s mind, back in those days, the “n” word wasn’t really considered a racist term back then. Spike maybe offended by the use of the “n” word in the film but apparently all the black actors in the film, including Jamie Foxx, seems to have no problem with it.

On with the film, I was very entertained throughout. It was at least 3 hours like most Tarantino flicks, but I wasn’t bored one bit. Tarantino has always been great at the pacing. His movies may seem long, but once you see it, the film won’t feel like it’s 3 hours.

All the characters were very enjoyable. Jamie Foxx as Django was badass, and Leo Dicaprio made a badass villian. Christoph Waltz delivered a great performance like always. There were a few surprising cameo appearances in the film, though. Don Johnson made a cameo. Jonah Hill made a cameo, and even though his role was small, he did a good job. Of course, Tarantino himself has a cameo. What I admired the most, was Kerry Washington, playing Django’s wife. She didn’t have any dialogue in the film. The camera just pointed at her a lot. I don’t think the script had any lines for her or anything. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Not only this film was a spaghetti Western, it also seemed like it was a comedy, ’cause there were hilarious scenes throughout. Tarantino seems to know his shit with Westerns ’cause the film was made like it was a real Western. If you want a modern day Clint Eastwood, spaghetti Western, for example, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”, this film is it. The film locations were Old West like, and all the costumes were Old West like too.

With all this being said, this is one of the best films of this year. It’ll probably make that list somewhere, definitely pretty high up there. It is also Tarantino’s best film and it’s definitely BEST PICTURE worthy for the Oscars. I really hope this film makes “BEST PICTURE”. It probably won’t ’cause the Academy has never been friendly with violent movies too much. “Django Unchained” was an amazing movie. I wasn’t bored. Whether you’re a fan of Tarantino films or Westerns, you would love this film. Tarantino did it again. He never disappoints. Do yourself a favor and see this flick!

Score for, “Django Unchained” = **** (4 stars as in “excellent”)

Kev

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