Inglourious Basterds: A Review

I have always been a big fan of Quentin Tarantino. I remember seeing Pulp Fiction for the first time in early 1995 when my mom rented it on VHS. She and I watched it together, and at first I didn't quite know what to make of it. It was a movie that demanded repeated viewings to understand its complexities. Over the years, I watched it many times, and loved it more and more each time. I learned of Tarantino's first film, Reservoir Dogs, and fell in love with it too. Tarantino had a knack for long stretches of dialogue that kept me engrossed, and putting his characters in all sorts of difficult situations. His films really connected to me. I became somewhat of a Tarantino devotee, and eagerly anticipated each new film he directed.

I say all this to make it clear I am obviously biased when it comes to Inglourious Basterds. I came into the theater expecting something great, and was not disappointed. In fact, my expectations were exceeded.

Based on the marketing, one would think Basterds is a men on a mission story with Brad Pitt's Aldo Raine leading a group of Jewish American soldiers on a Nazi manhunt. This is not entirely true. Aldo and ragtag punch are but a small piece of the puzzle. There are many more characters and situations, among them a outstanding performance by Christoph Waltz as the "Jew Hunter" Colonel Hans Landa.

Much of the film is in German or French with English subtitles; I'd say more than 50%. This may turn off some viewers, but I thought it was a good move to not pander to American audiences and have the characters speak English instead of the language they would have really spoken.

I realize I haven't given away any plot details, and that is intentional. I feel one must go see this movie for his or herself with an unspoiled mind, and really soak it all in. Their are some explosions of violence, but really this movie is more about building tension than violent payoffs. Tarantino crafts each scene meticulously to build maximum suspence and tension. I was literally on the edge of my seat many times throughout the film. He is a master of scenes with long bits of dialogue that never get boring.

All in all I would highly recommend Inglorious Basterds. If you don't mind reading subtitles, can appreciate lots of tension, action, dark humor, beautiful women, and suberb acting, this is a movie you should check out.

4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars