Movie Review: "Inglourious Basterds"

Inglourious Basterds

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent

Rated: R for strong graphic violence, language, and brief sexuality

Quentin Tarantino’s new film Inglourious Basterds is marketed as a blood-soaked action film set during World War II. Throw that perception away; Basterds’ violence, although graphic, is a rarity, especially when compared to other World War II films. Tarantino is too genius to stoop the level of a period version of Ninja Assassin, even if the marketing may lead you to think that’s what the film is. Basterds, on the other hand, is his typical brilliant style, blending elements from virtually every genre to make something for everyone, especially film nerds. Technically speaking, it’s a masterpiece, giving us long, dramatic, almost theater-like scenes, which he even calls “chapters.” There is also no central character, giving the film and more-so literary feel. This is normally a weakness, but Tarantino knows the language of filmmaking too well to make Basterds anything but cinematic. He gets splendid performances from Melanie Laurent and Christoph Waltz, and even the normally drab Diane Kruger becomes charismatic and wonderful. Because of its unusual structure, each character in Basterds has near equal screen-time, meaning each performance is vital to the story. Again, Tarantino is aware of this, so each performance is, equally, spot on.

But at its core, Tarantino’s film rests on a surreal, more emotional take of World War II. Sick of watching historical movies were Nazis slaughter helpless Jews, Tarantino turns the table, giving Jews a chance to torture them right back. The film doesn’t glorify violence, like some claim. Instead, it glorifies revenge. It’s as if Tarantino wants every tear he cried during Schindler’s List to translate into Nazi blood in his movie. It’s a satisfying experience for Tarantino, but not as much for me. Even if it is retaliation, inhumanity is still inhumanity. The line that separates the Basterds from the Nazis is thinner then even Tarantino realizes. And they’re the heroes of his story?