"Inglourious Basterds": More Than Just a Headache for Spell Check

Prior to this past Saturday, I had seen Quentin Tarantino's: Pulp Fiction, Resevoir Dogs, and Kill Bill. Grindhouse and From Dusk 'Til Dawn weren't of much interest to me at the time, but I may go back and watch those at some point.

I enjoyed the Tarantino films I had seen, but wasn't sure what to expect going into Inglourious Basterds. The reviews seemed to generally be more positive than negative, so I found that to be an encouraging sign. Additionally, I am unabashedly a Brad Pitt fan. Whether people would agree with me or not, I think he is rather underrated and was looking forward to seeing him paired up with Tarantino.

Inglorious Basterds opens with an incredible scene. The initial setting, a French farm, almost has the feel of the Alps in The Sound of Music to it (also a WWII era work set in a Nazi occupied country). We are introduced to the main villain in a scene so thick with expanding tension; you expect the walls to be pushed out like the rubber from a balloon as it bursts.

Quentin Tarantino has knack for taking terse moments and playing them for all they are worth... and then some. You can expect the same level of masterful tension throughout Inglourious Basterds.

The characters themselves are great. Christoph Waltz plays the main villain (nicknamed "The Jew Hunter) and gives him such depth you will think there is no bottom. He is at times absolutely cordial and charming, and at times vicious and appearing to have no soul. Waltz' performance highlights the terrific ensemble cast and it will be an absolute travesty if he is not, at the very least, nominated by the Academy for his work.

As per a typical Tarantino film, there are plenty of unique camera angles and unexpected music selections in Inglourious Basterds. David Bowie is featured in a WWII era film, but would you expect any less from Tarantino?These go to show how Tarantino truly views his role in directing as an artistic endeavor. Conventional methods may appeal to others, but Quentin Tarantino places his stamp on every piece he accomplishes.

The dialogue is superb, the settings are authentic, and there are some genuinely funny moments. Brad Pitt adds a lot of humor to the movie. Initially, I wasn't sure what I thought of either his performance and role in the movie (and, as stated earlier, I'm a Brad Pitt fan...), but upon reflection, I think he did a fine job and his role was necessary for interjecting the humor aspect to Tarantino's flick.

Inglourious Basterds has an incredible story consisting of several plots, memorable characters, and fantastic cinematography. This movie is well-worth the price of admission and can appeal to even non-Tarantino diehards. I'd strongly recommend this movie to anyone over the age of 17 (it is rated R...).