Django Unchained (2012)

8.1/10

Dr. King Schultz: How do you like the bounty hunting business? Django: Kill white people and get paid for it? What's not to like? 

Tarantino overwhelms me. He always had. Ever since I sat down for 'Reservoir Dogs' I thought he was one of those directors that would not let me in peace. Indeed he does not. He is the never-ending restless auteur. He writes, directs and produces most of his projects because he is so precise on what he wants to achieve. Even with 'Django Unchained' he does exactly that. He achieved, and achieved greatness.

The film is about former dentist, Dr. King Schultz, buys the freedom of a slave, Django, and trains him with the intent to make him his deputy bounty hunter. Instead, he is led to the site of Django's wife who is under the hands of Calvin Candie, a ruthless plantation owner. (www.imdb.com)

The delinquent duo from 'Inglorious Basterds', Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill) and Christoph Waltz (Water for Elephants, Carnage, The Three Musketeers) are at it again. This time with a more of a western type of story-line, which however makes sure to reference a number of types of pop culture themes. Waltz's character, Dr. King Schultz, a dentist plus bounty hunter, is surely one of the most delightful characters to watch in this film. Fast spirited, witty, excellent performing execution and as always flawless in his delivery. This is one golden duo, since Tarantino did not fail in his casting of the odd dentist/bounty hunter.

Leo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Aviator, The Departed, Revolutionary Road, Inception, Shutter Island, Catch me if you Can) and Jamie Foxx (Collateral, Ray, The Soloist). Well this is definitely a duo I was not ever expecting to see in a Tarantino film. I admit though, it works, their chemistry, their bizarre performing blockage, takes both actors into another level. Personally, DiCaprio especially, is an outstanding actor who truly transformed into something else entirely with this role. Playing a rich-ass plantation owner who is Foxx's enemy, who happens to hold his wife locked up, he manages to deliver a barbaric-type of character that will make everyone wonder on the diversity of his performance. Likewise, Award-winner Jamie Foxx is equally brilliant in his portrayal of Django. He is a solid leading man, hard on his performance, witty on his dialogue, pure in his emotions.

Needless to mention the brilliant performances also by Kerry Washington and the master of bitch-acting and many times collaborator Mr. Samuel-AWESOME-Jackson. They both give dazzling performances and their portrayal takes on a more physical challenge for these two actors, but without disappointing.

In the three hours that expire in watching this film, Quentin Tarantino manages to prevail in his new fantasy genre of western-action-pop-culture project. Also, quite worthy to mention the film's soundtrack is as always to the point and gives the film a more contemporary feeling to it.

The best thing about Tarantino is of course, as always, his dialogue. I do not think he is the best director in town, as somewhere between action and drama his skills tend to fall a bit flat, but his dialogue on the other hand is a masterpiece. He knows exactly what to write to heighten the viewer's interest, to make him engage and comprehend the plot. Of course he does deliver his personal cameo somewhere during the final hour of the film, thus giving him his own trademark as an auteur.

Personally I did enjoy this film, I think this is for everyone who likes high-packed action drama, it's got its share of gore and blood sputtering, as well as the unavoidable incessant gun-fighting, but his dialogue and the brilliant performances make up for it. Well worth the watch for the Tarantino lovers, this one is definitely a must-watch. Expect it to have a long duration, so be patient with the story-line. It will take you in quite a journey, but it is fulfilling in by the end of it.

This film, also marks the final review which I have had time to write before this year's Academy Awards 2013, but I will continue with some excellent still choices from this year's nominations.

Hope you enjoy Tarantino this time round as much as I did. See you soon, everyone!

"And may the odds be ever in their favor."