Django Unchained (***1/2 out of ****)

The tale of Siegfried and Broomhilda sets be up for this film. Django (Jamie Foxx) much like the mythological character of Siegfried must overcome perilous obstacles to be with the woman he loves. Siegfried must brave a mountain, face a dragon, and pass through hell fire. Django will march into a plantation, face a cruel man surrounded by minions, and there will be blood before the end. All of this he does not just for love, but for himself, for he his a hero and hero does what is right. Django is a western but not a typical one. It borrows themes from spaghetti westerns, american style ones, and the reflective nineties approach to the genre. However it is the Tarantino style that makes this succulent. Quentin Tarantino has made once again attempted something new within the world he knows and while it could use some sprucing around the edges, it is one of the fine films of the year.

Django is freed from slavery by Dr. King Schultz (show stealing Christoph Waltz) who proposes a deal. If Django helps this german bounty hunter find three brothers among other tasks, Schultz will reunite Django with his wife and let them go live however they please. Yet Django's wife is in the service of one Calvin Candie (a wonderful Leonardo DiCaprio), a slave owner. Django and Schultz will meet various characters under the employment of  Candie but it is Samuel L. Jackson letting loose as a racist against his own ethnicity that is the most fascinating.

Django Unchained is perhaps Tarantino's funniest and bloodiest film. Carefully crafted the film has many terrific scenes of suspense and drama. Also to be expected in a Tarantino is strong character development. There is a scene later in the film (in which the director himself plays a role) that shows just how far Django will go as a character. That the idea of slavery can be overcome by a person. While Spielberg's Lincoln was a film about healing the nation, Tarantino has made a movie about saying violence is sometimes necessary in such a hellish time. The film however isn't perfect. Unlike previous Tarantino films, this is the first to not feature a strong female character (except Reservoir Dogs obviously) which isa shame (Broomhilda played by Kerry Washington has nothing to do but be rescued). Also the last fourth of the film could be better if some scenes were switched around, the endings doesn't have much stress. Still this is a stunning achievement in cinema and just a plain old good time.

***1/2 out of ****
( I might write more here later, perhaps a proper analysis for those who have seen the film.)