Tarantino Unchained

Director Quentin Tarantino's cameo as
an employee for the LeQuint Dickey Mining Co.

                You either love him or hate him; Tarantino once again proves to be one of the most divisive directors in the business. That being said you probably already know if you’ll like the new Tarantino flick Django Unchained. Much like his other movies, Django is heavily stylized implementing intense violence with long drawn out tension. Putting a twist on the spaghetti western genre, Tarantino tells the tale of a man freed from slavery who tries to find and rescue his wife from a similar predicament, all the while seeking vengeance on those who have wronged him.

Christoph Waltz as Dr. King Shultz (left) and Jamie Fox as Django (right)

      Jamie Foxx plays the lead Django with little success, but the movie thrives none the less. Foxx excluded, the acting involved is superb with Christoph Waltz (in the role of Dr. King Shultz, the lovable bounty hunter who acts as a mentor to Django) winning a well-earned Academy Award™ for best supporting actor. As well, DiCaprio plays his role well as the treacherous slave owner, Calvin Candie owner of the fabled Candyland cotton plantation.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin Candie;

owner of the cotton plantation Candyland

 

The atmosphere of the film remains casual for the most part. It is clear that it doesn’t take itself too seriously and that makes it all the better. Comic relief evenly spread throughout the film to relieve tension at key points. In addition, some liberty is given and various cameos are seen throughout including director Tarantino as an employee for a mining company.

However some common complaints with the film are its pacing. Though it is Tarantino’s style, at times the film is tedious and the viewer is often left wondering why something has dragged on so long particularly as the running time approaches three hours. At times, it seemed like the movie might have warranted an ending at that point. As well, some may find the violence graphic and unnecessary while the profane language is unnecessary, particularly the use of the derogatory term n*gger. However this I believe is excusable considering its historical context.

 Django Unchained proves itself an apt movie. Well it has its downfalls it more than makes up for it. Despite its inconsistency if you are willing to sit through some dry spells you will be rewarded with some truly excellent scenes. Though Django Unchained is no masterpiece, it is a more than adequate film which I can wholeheartedly recommend if you’ve got the stomach for it.