MOVIE REVIEW - Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino is back with his latest big budget flock, Django Unchained.

This has a huge cast, with Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, and a nice array of fun cameos, and a strong supporting cast.   With this being a major Tarantino release, you can be assured this is way adult, highly violent, and to many will be very offensive.  So the word is, if you are offended by harsh language, and almost three hours of unrefined racial slurs that were of the era, this is not your movie and see something else.

This story is shot in old the Spaghetti Western style of the Clint Eastwood era.  It is set in the mid 1800's at the height of slavery in the deep south.  Basically, this is the story of a character named Django (Foxx), who is a slave purchased by a German-born, turned American bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Waltz).  He needs Django to locate some of the criminals he is looking for because of the plantations that Django has worked on.  What Schultz finds out, is that Django is a remarkable man, who becomes the "fastest gun in the south." 

The two pair up and spend a year or so going throughout Texas collecting wanted criminals for the money.  Although the Dr., is not very fond of the "alive" part of dead or alive in bounty hunting.   Their agreement is, is Django helps Schultz find many of this bounties, and he will help Django rescue Django's wife who is still a slave at a plantation run by Calvin Candie (DiCaprio) and his assistant Stephen, (Jackson.)  This being a Tarantino flick, this is far more complicated than simply this, but it is far too deep to be explained in detail here.   But those are the basics.  As most of his flicks, there are many surprises and turns. 

First off, this is a very intense movie, that has an almost genius hint of comedy and irony mixed in.  Tarantino is a master of this.  This also has an eclectic musical soundtrack that is very well used.  There is the typical over the top violence that is tough to watch sometimes, with tons of gun play, and graphic numerous bloody scenes that are typical Tarantino fashion.  Many could find this offensive with the dialogue and stereotypes of the era.  So this is clearly not for everyone.  This pulls no punches. At times this can make you wince.

But there is a ton to like in this movie.  This movie makes you feel many emotions and that is a Tarantino signature.  Whether you like what you're feeling or not is for you to decide, but you can't deny the depth of the work and writing.  This also has the "slow burn" approach to many scenes as he lets you simmer a while as you wait for the inevitable.  Skilled movie making to be sure.  Tarantino movie are seldom short because of his style, but he keeps you locked in.  This is two hours and forty minutes.

Waltz is simply sensational as the ruthless, cunning, yet very gentlemanly Schultz, who goes through all emotions humans can on his strange journey.   He is an Oscar winner from another Tarantino movie Inglorious Basterds, and I think he wins another here.   Foxx is terrific again as the torn Django, and looks great as a southern gunfighter.  They lead the entire cast all who are really great.   Interesting, both Waltz and Foxx have Oscars, Dicaprio is a three-time Oscar nominee, and so is Jackson -  a nominee with one.  So the pedigree here is strong. 

Django Unchained.  Although a bit controversial, and not everyone's cup of tea, this is simply one of the best movies of the year.