Movie Review: Inglorious Basterds

I saw Quentin Tarantino's new movie, Inglorious Basterds a couple of nights ago. I went with the anticipation that it would be nothing but killin' Nazi's, and there certainly was lots of that, but there was also a very engaging, deep story. There are a few story lines going on, that all come together in various ways, at the end. There is the story of the SS Officer, Col. Hans Landa, played by Christoph Waltz, who hunts down elusive Jews, and later leads security for high ranking German officals. There is the story of Shosanna Dreyfus, who's family is killed by the Nazi's, comes to own a movie theater, and desperately wants revenge. The story of the German war hero, Fredrick Zoller, who falls in love with Shosanna Dreyfus. The story of the inglorious basterds themselves, led by Lt. Aldo Raine, played by Brad Pitt. As well as several other story lines.

The movie really had me on the edge of my seat, in anticipation, as to how things would turn out, what twist was next, etc. I got really involved, and pulled into the story. The acting was superb. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz specifically were fantastic. Brad Pitt played the part of a driven comander, from Kentucky, hell bent on killing any Nazi he comes across. He had a cool accent and dimeaner that he managed to keep intact throughout the movie, no matter the situation. There was one scene in particular where he is pretending to know Italian, that is hilarious. Christoph Waltz plays the Jew hunting SS officer, and is really, really good. He comes across as a very observant, slightly psychopathic, yet very intelligent man.

Of course there are the classic Tarantino elements, like the unique soundtrack, the 70's type freeze frame shots of certain characters, the writing little notes on the movie screen, etc. I'd have to say, this is up there with Pulp Fiction in my book, and I highly recomend it.

My Score:
9/10

For more info:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361748/