Tarantino’s Glorious Basterds

August 21st, 2009

As we’ve heard in the promos, “you haven’t seen war until you’ve seen it through the eyes of Quentin Tarantino.” They’re right. Tarantino’s so-called Basterds, a recruited group of Jewish-American soldiers lead by Brad Pitt’s character, Lieutenant Aldo Raine, are on a mission to kill every Nazi they come across, or as Pitt’s character says brilliantly, “We’re in the Nazi killin’ business and cousin, business is a-boomin’.” Tarantino’s “hillbilly poetry” for Pitt’s character is a witty counterpoint to the obscene violence portrayed – the removing of Nazis scalps – in Inglourious Basterds, which is phonetically written to sound French. And, in true Tarantino fashion, the film, a World War II sensationalized, Jewish retribution, what-if war-film, lives up to his cult-film repertoire: Kill Bill, Death Proof, and Pulp Fiction.

The film is set in German-occupied France, and plays out in French, German and English. And, with a film-in-film feature, Nation’s Pride, directed by Eli Roth (who also stars as Sergeant Donny Donowitz, aka “The Bear Jew” – a name acquired by killing Nazis with a club), it’s a treat for Splat Pack followers. (Roth is responsible for films like Hostel and Cabin Fever.) Inglourious Basterds bonds a new bromance between Tarantino and Roth (who at times served as Tarantino’s Jewish advisor and Cannabis companion during filming), further establishing themselves into the genre of gruesome, action-pack, dark-humoured films of today. As much as you want to throw up, the storyline and cast is what carries this film. And accolades for the film haven’t gone unnoticed: actor Chistoph Waltz, who portrays the villainous Colonel Hans Landa, won Best Actor at Cannes film festival this year.

Inglourious Basterds is a crudely entertaining fantasy film; so much so, you’ll forget the Austin Powers-esque accent that Mike Myers brings to the table. In theatres, nationwide. http://inglouriousbasterds-movie.com/