You can't argue against the fact that Quentin Tarantino has definitely reached the pinnacle of being a auteur. Not only does the poster for his new film brand it as Tarantino's Django Unchained (he's reached the Madonna stage of his career where he only needs one name) but only watching the opening act of Django Unchained it is unmistakably Tarantino's film.
The film follows the titular Django (Jamie Foxx) a captured slave living in 19th Century America. In the opening scene, he is freed (by force) by former Dentist turned bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz - who makes a brilliant turn from antagonist in Inglorious Basterds to protagonist in this film). Django stays with Schultz to be trained up as a bounty hunter, with the promise that Schultz will help him free his enslaved wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) by going undercover as slave buyers. However, once they get to Candie Land, fellow black enslaved Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson) is immediately suspicious of Django and sets out to uncover what Django and Schultz's real purpose is.
When I said that the opening scene is unmistakably Tarantino, it's because it reminded me so much of the brilliant opening scene from Inglorious Basterds. It's simply Schaltz approaching the two men that have Django enslaved and proposing to buy him - when the men disagree, Schaltz just shoots them and sets the rest of the slaves free. However, it's the slow burn of the scene and how dialogue heavy it is that makes you realise that this is Tarantino. While most Directors might have decided to go for an action-packed opening scene, Tarantino wisely decides to hold back. As the slave owner writhes and shouts out in pain in the background, Schaltz simply continues his conversation with Django. It's the kind of menacing presence that made Christoph Waltz so brilliant in Inglorious Basterds... but this time he is a hero?! And then, instead of simply explaining simply what Schaltz's job is as a bounty hunter, Tarantino decides to trick his audience with an overly complex shootout between Schaltz/Django and the Sheriff before they call in the Marshall. Again, it's the complexity of Schaltz's bounty hunting job and his ability to remain so calm in the face of a town full of guns pointing at him that make him instantly a hero in our eyes.
As for Django? Jamie Foxx plays the brooding moody type very well throughout the majority of the film. It wasn't until near the Third Act of the film when he actually sees his wife Broomhilda, that we see his charming side ("Hey there, troublemaker!") While his backstory is simple and he largely plays the part quite straight-forward, it's Django's inner troubles of dealing with other black slaves (and having to treat them badly) and then his pain when his wife in within touching distance but he must remain undercover is what makes his character appealing. Not as likeable as Schaltz, granted... but likeable nonetheless.
And finally for the characters, Leonardo DiCaprio continues to amaze me with his acting. Just to think, he was the floppy haired lover-boy in James Cameron's Titanic back in 1997, he has since definitely earned his acting chops. In Django Unchained, he plays a sinister and twisted slave owner, but not played in the most obvious, cackling villain way. He forces his slaves to fight to the death, and revel in it, and then happily invites Django to dinner with Schaltz near enough straight afterwards. It's the little characteristics that DiCaprio brings to the character and the excellent writing from Tarantino (like how he then massively relies on his black slave, Stephen for advice and support, before completely trashing black people's intelligence) that really brings the character to life and easily a contender for best villain of 2013 - even though we are only 22 days into the year.
As for Tarantino himself? He is on fine form. The direction is solid and exactly what you would expect from one of his films. Brilliantly slow brooding scenes, which all add together for a more explosive finale and that's exactly what happens in Django Unchained. If you found Inglorious Basterds or DeathProof boring and dull with not enough action, then Django Unchained will do nothing for you. However, if you are a fan of those previously mentioned film, then Django Unchained will be another solid outing for you.
My only criticism of Tarantino for this film is that the dialogue and writing didn't seem as spot on, nor did it have as much tension as some of his previous films. Sure, the basics of his style was there, but I didn't find myself completely gripped during the dinner scene towards the end (unlike the unbearably tense dinner scene/pub scene in Inglorious Basterds) nor did I find myself as entertained by his character's dialogue (unlike the banter between the girls in DeathProof). It's not terrible, but it just wasn't as good as his previous films - that being said, it's still a damn sight better than most other films being released at the moment. The one thing I did like about this film was Tarantino's shots of humour throughout - especially the exceptionally long mask argument scene and the "Say goodnight to Miss Candie, Cora" before the character is blasted into the next room. It was some welcome relief from a fairly serious story dealing with black slavery in America (despite the rescue mission itself being quite over-the-top!)
However, Tarantino's direction is spot on once again, with beautiful sweeping shots of the American countryside apposed against his more intimate dialogue scenes. He also uses his cool looking text titles once again, so there is definitely no mistaking that it's his film! He couldn't resist the opportunity to have a cameo in his own film, where he shows some fairly awful acting skills, but this can be overlooked because it really was such a small part.
So, if you are a fan of Tarantino, then Django Unchained is another solid effort. While not as great as his previously released films, it's definitely nowhere near being labelled "terrible".
**** / *****
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