Django Unchained

Hello readers! I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday season. To start off this post, I have some exciting news! I am now partnered with another blogger whose site you can find on the top bar labeled as J&J Productions. This site is phenomenal and has a lot of unique articles comparing movies to their books, giving opinions on popular franchises, and even countdowns of favorite cinema moments in history (i.e. top 25 lightsaber battles!). I strongly encourage all of you to check it out, explore the site, and follow him! You won't regret it!

Also, before I start the review, remember to vote in the side bar for your favorite 3 movies of 2012. I want to know what YOU think, not the snobby critics! Only a few days left!

Now onto the Django Unchained review...

I guess I'll start things off by simply saying that Quentin Tarantino has done it again. And not only has it done it again, he has possibly shown us his best (or at least one of his best) efforts. For many of you, that would be enough to see the movie right there, but why don't you oblige me and continue reading so that I may continue to persuade you. 

You know there is going to be over-the-top action in a Tarantino movie..it's like a law
of nature. In fact I believe that it was Newton's 4th Law.

The German and the Black Man. A
lethal combination.

Django Unchained tells the tale of Django who is a slave in Texas during that era. He is "rescued" by a German named Dr. King Schultz and they become partners in the bounty hunting business after Schultz promises that they will find Django's wife in the summer. That's all you really need to know and the story plays out basically like you would expect. It's fun, it's funny, and most importantly, it's entertaining over the course of its 2 hour and 45 minute run time. Much like The Hobbit, this is a fast 3 hours at the movies and that can mainly be attributed to Tarantino's style. Everything from the soundtrack, the shot style (copious amounts of quick-zooms anyone?), the gratuitous violence with completely unrealistic bodily reactions to bullets, and as always, an absolutely perfect script. 

Tarantino bases his style this time around off old spaghetti westerns and it works fantastic. Big, red, bold introduction credits, specific scenes with old fashioned, grainy style of camera, and loud, Western ballots playing during times where Django and Schultz are riding across landscapes; it's all here and Tarantino accomplished what he set out to do: to make a modern-day B-movie Western, style and all. 

Leonardo steals the show as a plantation owner with a...
quirky personality. Yeah, we'll go with "quirky".

And you thought Samuel L Jackson was mad
about those snakes on that plane...

But the true star of Tarantino's movie isn't Tarantino's style at all. It's the absolutely stellar cast. Jamie Foxx as Django is unexpected but terrific. He brings an innocence to the role, but has enough attitude that you aren't surprised when he turns into an absolute badass. Christoph Waltz is really funny as Dr. King Schultz and provides much of the comedic relief for the first hour of the movie. Everyone else, including the heavily make-upped Samuel L. Jackson play their roles to near-perfection which is both a testament to the script, but also their acting ability. And then there's Leonardo. Oh Leo, I think you are truly destined to go down as one of the best actors in history and Django is just another high point on your resume. DiCaprio plays the villain here; Monsieur (I spelled that right on my first try!) Calvin Candie. He is a plantation owner who loves Mandingo fighting, being polite to his guests, and prefers to be called Monsieur despite the fact that he speaks no French. Leo makes the part completely his own balancing equal parts hospitable Southern gentleman and psychotic, bipolar maniac. Just another day at the office for him.

"I like the way you write, boy."
Thanks Django!

I'm really not sure what else to say about Django Unchained. It's classic Tarantino and I think it's one of his best films. There are a few issues that I had with it, but by and large it is just a ton of fun, plain and simple. If you shy away from violence, then clearly it isn't for you. But if you know what to expect in a Tarantino film, Django is more of the same...but in this case that is SUCH a good thing.

Dgo dsee dit dnow (the D is silent people). 

Pros:

• Tarantino's style shines through here and is usually fantastic. That's half the reason that his movies are as fun as they are
• A script that will be quoted for years, if not longer. Some lines are practically iconic and there is never an instance where you feel like what the characters are saying is unnecessary
• The performances given by everyone are awesome. It's a testament to Leonardo DiCaprio that in a cast this strong and a film with such unique characters that he stands out as much as he does. Even Tarantino makes an appearance!
• Great soundtrack that fits the mood 90% of the time. A mix of old westerns, hip-hop, and R&B...wow, never thought I'd write that sentence
• Fantastic action with over the top bodily physics. Would you expect anything else?

Cons:

• It is a long movie. I'm not sure where he would have cut scenes out, and if I were watching this in my living room it certainly wouldn't be an issue. But I can't help but feeling that the story (for as simple as it was) could have been told more efficiently
• I only complain about language when it becomes unnecessary and in Django, the N-word is completely overused. I realize that it is a sign of the era, but there are times where it is used 3-4 times in a sentence when 1 time would have sufficed
• At times, Tarantino's style is too much or unnecessary. 95% of the time it benefits the movie, the other 5% of the time it takes you completely out of the experience

Rath's Review Score: 9.5/10