Movie Review – Django Unchained

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In an effort to see as many Oscar nominated films as I can before the Oscars, I went to see the highly controversial Quentin Tarantino film, Django Unchained, this weekend with Caroline.

First off, it is shocking to me that people are shocked that a Tarantino film is shocking.

You should know what you are in for when you go to one of his movies!  Wit – Controversy – Scandal – Persuasion – Blood – Gore.  Yes, there were horribly offensive moments.  For the record, I don’t support racism… but I don’t believe Tarantino intended his movie to be racist.  (And I don’t want to offend anyone with the fact that I liked this movie.)

With that being said… I applaud Mr. Tarantino for bringing us another movie full of characters that you love to hate and hate to love, witty dialogue that you want to playback, a soundtrack that is so unexpected (loved that rap songs were mixed with original folk songs), memorable scenes (some of which I think he throws in just for his own entertainment) and a plot with twists, turns, hard lefts, hard rights and explosion!  Well done!

 Won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay – Quentin Tarantino, and Best Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz.

My favorite characters – Dr. Schultz and Django

I loved these two.  The development of their relationship and friendship was so fun to watch!  Their relationship was that of teacher and student (never owner and slave).  It is often said that only the best teachers produce students who excel past the teacher’s own abilities.  In this case, Dr. Schultz was the most amazing mentor.  He gave Django all the right tools or “weapons” to do just that.

If you don’t like blood and gore… I wouldn’t suggest seeing the movie!  I had to close my eyes in some scenes.  Tarantino did exaggerate the gore (lots of squirting blood), which made it almost funny and easier to watch because you knew it wasn’t real!

Acting Lesson

Mr. Tarantino was kind enough to write a scene that in itself was an acting lesson… for all those actors out there.  It is a scene where Dr. Schultz explains to Django that he will be playing a character on their bounty excursions… He tells him, “And during the act, you can never break character”.  

Never Break Character.  One of the Cardinal Rules of Acting.

And then Schultz tells him to pick his costume, which is another important part of an actor’s character work.  It immediately cuts to Django in this frilly, blue costume above!  Funny moment.  It was a stark contrast from the beginning scenes where Django was enslaved in only chains.  From rags to riches!

Rating: A

* Photo Credit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 *