Django Unchained
Well Quentin you’ve done it again. I’m starting to think this guy really just doesn’t miss. Django Unchained is entertaining, genuinely funny, and super badass. It’s certainly going to be tough to pick my favorite Tarantino film as this one might be my favorite so far.
Right from the start the movie hooks me in with Dr. King’s delightful yet violent introduction. His jolly demeanor as he goes about his business killing his bounties is hilarious to watch. I could watch Dr. King talk his way out of trouble all day. The whole first act is very enjoyable and a great way to start the film, I love watching Dr. King and Django’s travels and the two have great chemistry together. All of the action in this portion of the film is awesome, and everything I was hoping for going in.
This movie is genuinely hilarious, and I found myself laughing more during this watch than some comedies I’ve seen. I’ve already touched on Dr. King’s hilarious demeanor, but there’s also just some straight up funny gags. Such as the horseback riders messing with the bags on their heads. That entire scene is hilarious, from the random guy falling off his horse as they all ride in, to their collective bickering over the inefficient eye holes in their bags.
After I watched The Hateful Eight, I said that it was arguably Tarantino’s best looking film that I’ve seen so far. Now though after watching this film I gotta say I’ve changed my mind. This really is a beautiful film, one that I think is even slightly better looking than The Hateful Eight. Django’s travels show off a lot of different visually pleasing shots. Such as the shots of the sunset on the mountains, or the blood spattering on the cotton after Ellis Brittle is gunned downed. As well as the shot of Django on horseback with the fires in the background.
Unsurprisingly the performances in this movie are amazing. Jamie Foxx and DiCaprio don’t miss a beat in their roles, but the two strongest performances come from Samuel L. Jackson, and Christoph Waltz in my opinion. It also always a pleasant surprise to see Jonah Hill pop up, even if it’s just for a cameo. Another thing I found to be a pleasant surprise was this film’s soundtrack. While not all the songs necessarily fit with the time the film takes place in, hearing Rick Ross, or 2Pac in the background of these action scenes is so awesome. There also just some straight up bangers in here, that add even more to my enjoyment.
Overall this is such a fun time. I enjoy how over the top the action is, and it makes me really excited to watch other QT films like Kill Bill. The absurdity adds to my enjoyment and I really have no complaints regarding this film. Django Unchained mixes a compelling story, with terrific action, hilarious moments, and enjoyable characters. My favorite of Tarantino’s so far. 9.5/10