Well I finally got a chance to see what is easily the most controversial film of the year and of QT's career. The movie was average at best and here's why. 1st let me say technically it was a very well made film. Jamie, Sam, Leo and Waltz all gave really strong performances in the roles and drove the movie. It was shot very well as the shots of the landscapes of middle America were really accented. It was more Western than Blaxplotation as everyone was saying but I guess that was QT's point. I did enjoy the Action of the film and it was very positive to see a Black Hero take no prisoners. That right there was enough for my C+ grade.
The reason why it couldn't get higher was the movie's flaws outshinned what was good about it. 1st we all have gone back and forth about how slavery should and shouldn't be portrayed in film. I really think in this case QT uses it a gimmick to drive the story when it honestly probably wasn't even needed. He could of set this after the Civil War. America was still very racist and he could of had the same scenario because even though Slaves were free, many slaves stayed the south and continued to work on Plantations. So I do agree with people saying he used Slavery as a "Shock Value" thing. Next it was clear the "White Savoir" formula wither purposely or not was used to drive this story. It should of been called "Dr. King Swaltz" unchained cause the movie is basically told through his perspective.
He basically has to guide Django every step of the way which falls right in line with the Blacks can't do anything for ourselves concept. It basically has a buddy cop feel to it, think 48 hours or Lethal Weapon of the 1850's. Next the movie was about 30 minutes way to long and it effected the pacing. So he frees Django, breaks down the bounty hunter business and takes him on about 2 bounties. Next thing you know they find the Brittle Brothers very quickly. There was no character development with Django's character. QT should of spent more time training Django and show him learning things from Waltz so the 1st act feels very rushed.
Now when they finally get to the Plantation. Kerry Washington had to be the weakest written woman character QT has ever done in his career. He whole role was about 10 lines, the rest she was speaking German. Then she was whipped, nude and just again a weak character. He had her showing zero strength at all to me. Leo played a really good Plantation owner and yes Sam did killed it as Uncle Tom/Rukas character but it was exaggerated but maybe that's what they were going for. As for how Slavery was depicted, he showed the brutal sides. The Mandigo fighting, Dogs attacking the Slave, Lashings/Whippings. The whole near castration scene. And even the opening scene with him getting Django. QT didn't in my view trivialize the brutality of Slavery but he used it in a way to remind the audience of the horrors while keeping the story going.
So we get to the climax of the film and not to my surprise. Django doesn't even get to kill the main villain, Dr. King does. We basically get two endings cause of course it would of been wack for it to end that way. Django comes back and wreaks havoc and saves the day. There was some social commentary if you read between the lines but QT didn't really make it a point to have the message spelled out for you. It was done suddenly. I do feel the movie was trying to be overly comedic for it subject matter. The Music was good in spots and terrible in others. Here I am trying to feel like I'm in Slave times in the 1800's and Rick Ross comes on like it's a damn rap video, SMH, through way out of the moment. Some of the music just doesn't work cause again using modern music in a period piece just throws it off.
Now here's where I feel Spike was right without even seeing it. Slavery was a very serious issue in America History. I do agree with him that making an Action Adventure Slavery movie for the masses is kinda watering down the history. Someone in the "Django" review thread said, "White People hung there heads after watching Roots, Rosewood, Burning in Mississippi etc. They were laughing and having a good time with Django". I kinda agree with this. Sure he showed how horrible White people were back then but the movie didn't really in my view go even far enough. I think early criticism of the script forced him to take out things that might have helped the story to me. Beside Waltz Killing Candie being horrible (Can't let the Black Hero kill the main villain, SMH).
He had the nerve to ultimately make Sam basically the main villain (Black on Black crime, lol). So it's an uneven movie at best. The Technical side was great but the story, pacing and other issues affected it. I understand why some Black enjoyed it cause at it's core it was about getting "The Man" back. Jamie whipping one of the Brittle Brothers was one of the most powerful images for me. As Well as him riding the horse to save his women. Overall I kinda see and understand what QT was trying to do but he should of through it through a little more. So it did entertain but I couldn't help watching it wondering did it slightly water down slavery just for being again an Action Adventure Slavery film. It ranks in the Bottom half of QT's career:
#1. Pulp Fiction (A+)
#2. Reservoir Dogs (B+)
#3. Jackie Brown (B)
#4. Kill Bill (B)
#5. Inglorious Bastards (B -)
#6. Kill Bill 2 (B -)
#7. Django Unchained (C +)
#8. Death Proof (C -)
