Month: June 2022

Today’s quick review: Inglourious Basterds. During World War II, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) takes eight Jewish-American soldiers behind German lines to wage a campaign of terror against the Nazis. As the war nears its climax, Raine seizes an opportunity to take out the Nazi leadership all at once by attacking a film premiere in Paris. Meanwhile, Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent), the young Jewish owner of the theater, plots her own revenge.

Inglourious Basterds is a World War II action thriller from director Quentin Tarantino. Inglourious Basterds follows the Basterds, a fictitious band of Nazi hunters, as they mutilate and kill German officers. The movie is a slow burn that focuses as much on the infiltration tactics of Shosanna and the Basterds as it does the actual violence. The movie’s premise and craftsmanship make it a strong revenge flick, but one that may be too sadistic for some.

Inglourious Basterds shows the same care that Quentin Tarantino puts into his other movies. The plot consists of seemingly inconsequential events whose meaning gradually becomes apparent, culminating in a complex finale that ties together all the threads. The film also features an ensemble cast with a superb performance from Christoph Waltz as Colonel Hans Landa, a dangerously savvy Nazi officer who is on the Basterds’ trail.

Still, the strengths of Inglourious Basterds come at a cost. Tarantino’s signature violence is on full display, in the form of both gory gunfights and graphic mutilation. The pacing of the film is slow, even for a Tarantino flick. There are multiple drawn-out conversations that verge on interminable. These cinematic choices are part of the film’s appeal for the right viewer, but they can easily put off one who isn’t sufficiently bloodthirsty or patient.

Inglourious Basterds is a fascinating movie with a unique premise and a high degree of craftsmanship. Fans of Tarantino will find it to be slow but rewarding, and anyone who can stomach the violence will get something out of it. But those hoping for either an all-out action flick or a more traditional war movie may be disappointed, and sensitive viewers should steer clear.

For a more action-oriented revenge flick from Quentin Tarantino, try Kill Bill or Django Unchained. For a more serious story about an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, try Valkyrie. For a less violent action movie about a group of talented soldiers, try The A-Team.

8.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a unique blend of tension and violence; your score will vary considerably.

Today’s quick review: Valkyrie. As Adolf Hitler (David Bamber) leads Germany down a path of atrocity and self-destruction, Colonel Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) joins a conspiracy among Hitler’s highest-ranked officers to overthrow the Fuhrer and put Germany on the correct path. Stauffenberg plans a bold coup by hijacking Hitler’s emergency plan, Operation Valkyrie, and using it against the SS. But pulling it off will require perfect execution.

Valkyrie is a World War II drama based on a true story. Valkyrie follows a cabal of generals and politicians as they plan a coup that could save Europe from destruction or condemn all of them to death. The movie covers the inception of their daring scheme and the numerous complications they run into along the way. Valkyrie succeeds in capably depicting a unique moment in history, but its pacing and emotional arc leave something to be desired.

Valkyrie’s greatest strength is its grasp on the logistics of the coup. Unlike fictional coups, the plot of Valkyrie is full of petty setbacks. Bombs malfunction, allegiances change, and even minor incidents threaten disaster. Seeing Stauffenberg navigate around each bump in the road gives the film a reliable source of drama. The movie also benefits from a distinguished cast that includes Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, and Terence Stamp.

Still, Valkyrie has an unusual story structure. Stauffenberg begins the movie with all the motivation he needs; it’s not something the audience gets to see develop. Much of the early part of the movie is spent hashing out the politics and logistics, while the crucial moments of the conspiracy are oddly mundane, even when the stakes are high. These choices line up with the subject matter, but they dampen the film’s personal angle and emotional impact.

Valkyrie will appeal to history buffs and fans of real-world drama. The movie offers an interesting glimpse into the political and military situation within Nazi Germany, while its acting and writing do not disappoint. But Valkyrie lacks the pathos of other movies that deal with similar subject matter, keeping it from being as powerful a watch as it could have been.

For a more sweeping look at life in Nazi Germany, try Schindler’s List. For a fictional story about an assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler, try Inglourious Basterds. For a plot-driven thriller about a military officer acting according to his conscience, try The Hunt for Red October.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid craftsmanship and a story that doesn’t quite come to life the way it should.