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.