INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (REVIEW)
The
misspelling of the title is no mistake, it's as unique as the film itself. You
have never, ever seen a World War 2 movie like this one.
Presented
in various chapters, 'Once upon a time in Nazi occupied France', is how it all
begins and what an impressive beginning it is. Early on, we are introduced to
Colonel Hans Landa - an evil, psychopathic officer nicknamed Jew Killer who simply
loves the sound of his own voice. While visiting a small house in search of hidden
defectors and families from the Germans, he sits at a table, drinking milk, whilst
casually talking to the property owner exercising his manipulative multilingual
skills on a variety of subjects. This riveting set up and its shocking outcome
evoke an intensity that holds up for the complete 2.5 hours running time.
Brad
Pitt may be the marquee star of this film as American Lieutenant Aldo Raine, but
he doesn't appear until chapter 2. With his odd southern drawl, he is the wacky
leader of an aggressive unit of foot soldiers who have one mission only, to kill
Nazi's. Raine is also a journeyman with a penchant for scalping or carving swastikas
into the foreheads of their captured. His team is the focus of the story as they
head deep into enemy territory on their way to infiltrate a high profile film
premiere which may, or may not have Adolf Hitler himself in the audience.
Enlisting
the help of double agent, Bridget Von Hammersmark, the unit have arranged to meet
her in a supposed quiet location. Unfortunately the place turns out to be a Nazi
bar which has a table full of drunk German officers. This tense sequence is a
standout and a turning point to what proceeds, but I am not about to give anything
away in this review. Director Quentin Tarantino does not disappoint in attacking
your senses with unforgettable imagery and backing up powerful moments with samples
of music that are just as intriguing, including a David Bowie song used in a rare
moment of clarity.
It goes without saying that Pitt is brilliant,
as is Christoph Waltz as Col. Landa. He's so good in fact; you soon start to hope
he will turn up in the next scene to sprout some more horrifically rich dialogue.
Diane Kruger as double agent Hammersmark makes the most of her limited time, even
bringing some humour to her two-faced character, but French actress Melanie Laurent
is a standout. She may be petite in stature, but as the owner of the cinema where
the climactic event may be going to take place, her character Shosanna has a tall
agenda including a fury of personal vendetta.
Look fast for
cameos from Mike Myers, as a British General and legendary Australian Rod Taylor,
(The Birds, The Time Machine) as Winston Churchill. Violence is at a premium so
be warned of sudden gory moments, but they are part of the framework which makes
this film so interesting.
'Inglorious Basterds' is not a history
lesson, many obvious liberties are taken, however it most definitely is a must
see cinema experience that quite possibly needs to be seen twice to take everything
in.
Shane A. Bassett
