Django Unchained

There's some sort of demented genius in the form of Quentin Tarantino. Sure, he depicts violence that rivals Peckinpah and Scorsese (and there's the whole foot fetish thing), but his films are clever, especially when compared to other filmmakers who try to do the same.

His new film Django Unchained, much like Inglourious Basterds, is willing to re-write history. In this case, it's a western. (Or a "southern", as Tarantino calls it.) Tarantino, no stranger to controversy, depicts the horrible side of slavery. (Seems like a strange film to release not long after Lincoln.)

Knowing Tarantino, it comes as no surprise that the expected bloodshed is on full display. But knowing the subject matter, said blood being spilled is somewhat justified. After all, there are many accounts of owners abusing their slaves to a severe degree. (That time period is definitely one of the darkest times in the history of humanity.)

And the actors Tarantino got for this film give their all. Jamie Foxx shows a badass side that I don't think he had shown before. Christoph Waltz, the scene stealer of Inglourious Basterds, also very much holds his own here. (I suspect another collaboration between him and Tarantino is imminent.) And where to begin with Leonardo DiCaprio (who initially seems like an odd choice for a Tarantino film)? Well, for starters, he needs to play evil more often. (Wonder if he'll get that elusive Oscar for this?) Oh, and the various cameos were awesome.

Like the other Tarantino films I saw, Django Unchained was straight up awesome. It may be more violent than his earlier work (I was looking away a few times), but it has even more (albeit dark) humor than said films. ("Did anyone bring any extra bags?") I certainly had fun with it. I'm sure you will too.

My Rating: *****