Saturday 19 January 2013


Film Review: Django Unchained (18), (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Quentin Tarantino), Saturday 19.01.2013 14:15, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

Firstly I would never usually go to see a western as it is the one genre that I usually have no tolerance for. The only reason I am seeing Django Unchained is due to it being made by Quentin Tarantino.

The film concerns a man, freed from slavery to assist a bounty hunter. Then being assisted by that bounty hunter, to exact revenge against those who have been keeping his wife in slavery.

Jamie Foxx is perfectly serviceable in the lead role, though the best performances are given by Samuel L. Jackson as an enslaved servant who is happy to suck up to his boss and only look out for himself & Christoph Waltz as the bounty hunter who frees Django. Samuel is creepy in how willing he is to be overtly subservient and simultaneously show no concern for other members own his own denigrated race. Christoph, as in Inglourious Basterds, shows a clear degree of charm and relish.

The film is long, although it does not feel to be dragging at any time. The dialogue although feeling to be more restrained than usual, was still clearly the work of Q.T.. The film was enjoyable with humorous moments and suitably grim passages of revenge.

At no point did I feel uncomfortable watching it, as I usually have done when trying to watch a western in the past. Though at the same time in terms of Tarantino films, I find it easy to say I prefer Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 and Inglourious Basterds. I would put this on a par with Jackie Brown & Death Proof. So not great, though perfectly enjoyable.

Rating: 7/10. 

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