DJANGO UNCHAINED
Never one to shy away from controversy, the master of dialogue Quentin Tarantino returns with this bloody, hip and stylish Western. Although geographically it would be a Southern. Tarantino tackles another tough topic, this time slavery, and has earned some ire for depicting it in a flippant way. But, after watching the movie, I can say that he does so to make the audience both address the issue, and stomach it better. That is not to say Django is easy to stomach; its filled with Tarantino's stylish violence; but also very dark moments, including a scene were a slave is killed by dogs. But Tarantino cannot be blamed for depicting a very real brutality, and should be given some credit for being the daring filmaker he is.
Django stars Jamie Foxx as the titular hero, a slave who is freed at the beginning of the film by Doctor King Schultz (Christoph Waltz, giving his best performance since he and QT first paired with Inglourious Basterds). Here Waltz' character is one we can root for without feeling slightly conflicted; as we did with Hans Landa in Basterds. He's charming, witty, and charismatic, and provides a lot of the film's comedic moments. Foxx is the other side of this; their chemistry is excellent, pairing Django's silence and inexperience with Schultz' swagger and wit.
Django stars Jamie Foxx as the titular hero, a slave who is freed at the beginning of the film by Doctor King Schultz (Christoph Waltz, giving his best performance since he and QT first paired with Inglourious Basterds). Here Waltz' character is one we can root for without feeling slightly conflicted; as we did with Hans Landa in Basterds. He's charming, witty, and charismatic, and provides a lot of the film's comedic moments. Foxx is the other side of this; their chemistry is excellent, pairing Django's silence and inexperience with Schultz' swagger and wit.
As the film progresses, Django grows, and after helping Schultz track down a trio of criminals as per their original agreement, becomes hellbent on freeing his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington). It is at this point in the film that we meet our antagonist, Calvin Candie (played by Leonardo DiCaprio in his most adventurous and fascinating roles). DiCaprio is just as strong as Waltz and Foxx; almost stealing the show as the vile and smooth Candie. But that award goes to Mr. Sam Jackson, who plays completely against type as Candie's house slave Stephen, a crooked and pious old man. Don't worry, the f*bombs still come from Jackson, but here he gives a performance that only a truly great actor, and one that has worked with the director so much he has a confidence in QT, could give. Kerry Washington is also good as Broomhilda, although we can't help but wish she had more to do than just suffer at the hands of Stephen and Candie.
As with most of his films, Tarantino treats us to some truly stylish visuals and soundtrack, ranging from James Brown to Johnny Cash; and some gangsta rap courtesy of Rick Ross thrown in for good measure. A plethora of cameos, from Don Johnson, Walton Goggins, Jonah Hill and Australia's own John Jaratt, and even a cameo from QT himself as an Australian; add versatility to film, and you can tell that everybody involved is having a ball. Some scenes are tougher to watch than others. The violent gunplay and blood left right and centre is something we have come to expect from Tarantino; but the more sparse and jarring violence, such as the previously mentioned dog attack, gives us a sense that Tarantino is not just all about fun; there's some serious to Django, but its just layered with a good cinematic experience to lessen the shock and depravity of the slavery era. It gives the audience time to think; like with the dog scene; its violent, somewhat disturbing; but unlike the graphic violence that comes before and after; Tarantino shoots it so we don't see the man being torn apart, just glimpses. This adds to the effect of shock and grimness.
As with most of his films, Tarantino treats us to some truly stylish visuals and soundtrack, ranging from James Brown to Johnny Cash; and some gangsta rap courtesy of Rick Ross thrown in for good measure. A plethora of cameos, from Don Johnson, Walton Goggins, Jonah Hill and Australia's own John Jaratt, and even a cameo from QT himself as an Australian; add versatility to film, and you can tell that everybody involved is having a ball. Some scenes are tougher to watch than others. The violent gunplay and blood left right and centre is something we have come to expect from Tarantino; but the more sparse and jarring violence, such as the previously mentioned dog attack, gives us a sense that Tarantino is not just all about fun; there's some serious to Django, but its just layered with a good cinematic experience to lessen the shock and depravity of the slavery era. It gives the audience time to think; like with the dog scene; its violent, somewhat disturbing; but unlike the graphic violence that comes before and after; Tarantino shoots it so we don't see the man being torn apart, just glimpses. This adds to the effect of shock and grimness.
The violence in Django is perhaps what has caused such controversy. Fellow director Spike Lee has criticised Tarantino for turning slavery into a "Sergio Leone spaghetti western". But Tarantino is too smart a filmaker to simply make a film about slavery and treat it with as little deftness and restraint as he could have. Sure, Django is made to entertain us, as any movie is, but its depiction of slavery may be stylised and sometimes exaggerated, and the message of a slave taking revenge against his white masters may conflict with some; but Django Unchained is not just a movie about slavery and violence, there's more to it than that. There's more depth to this bloody comedic Southern. It is a daring film, and will likely cause debate amongst filmgoers, but the film is, undeniably, a damn good time.
The Verdict: While Django Unchained may be violent and daring, it benefits from these things and boasts stylish filmmaking and great performances, and shows that Tarantino is not going to slow down any time soon, and is willing to address the past of America were others might not be.
The Verdict: While Django Unchained may be violent and daring, it benefits from these things and boasts stylish filmmaking and great performances, and shows that Tarantino is not going to slow down any time soon, and is willing to address the past of America were others might not be.
★★★★★
5/5
5/5