Gunshots! Action! Blood! This is how a Quentin Tarantino film is typically described. I wasn’t expecting anything else when I decided to watch Django Unchained (2012) a few years ago. As expected, Quentin Tarantino takes on the Western genre and turns out into a bloodbath.
This film is set in the pre-Civil War era and chronicles the exploits of Django (played by Jamie Foxx). Django is a freed slave who establishes an unexpected relationship with a German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (played by Christoph Waltz). Django decides to help Schultz in his bounty hunting business in exchange for Schultz tracking and rescuing his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), who was recently sold to an unknown buyer at a slave auction.
The duo finds out that Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), a noble but cruel Mississippi plantation owner, is her new master. Meanwhile, Calvin’s head slave Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson) gets involved in Django and Schultz’s plan to rescue Broomhilda, which further complicates things. Will they be able to rescue Broomhilda or will they end up in more misery trying to rescue her?
The rest of the story is full of suspense and adventure. Also, brace yourself to listen to the kind of language used in the film which a few might find uncomfortable.
The usual Tarantino blood spatters are present almost throughout the film. Meanwhile, Tarantino gets a lot of credit for his screenplay as well as his direction. The film has magnificent cinematography, eye-catching costuming and a level of attention to detailing. There is no plot structure as such but one can’t take their eyes off the screen considering how fast things take a toll.
Django Unchained constantly reminds you of white Americans’ inhumane treatment of African slaves, including verbal and mental dehumanisation.
When it comes to the cast, both Jamie Foxx as Django and Christoph Waltz as Dr. King Schultz give a remarkable performance.
The film is 2 hours and 45 minutes long, yet I was completely oblivious to the time. Django Unchained is a brilliant masterpiece from start to end, and unquestionably one of Tarantino’s best films. Both the comedy and violence become dark as the plot progresses. But that is all part of the fun!
Tarantino won Best Writing, Original Screenplay and Christoph won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2013 Academy Awards. The film was also nominated for three other awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year.
Now, is it worth watching? Definitely yes!
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