Django Unchained – Film Review

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L Jackson, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, Michael Parks, Don Johnson, Laura Cayouette

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Synopsis: A freed slave sets out on a mission to rescue his wife from the clutches of a crooked slave owner, aided by a German dentist turned bounty hunter.

Review: In his latest work, director Quentin Tarantino again gives his audience another thrilling spectacle of blood and revenge. Like Inglourious Basterds, Tarantino sets his latest story in a historical context. With the former set in the World War II era, Django Unchained is set in the Deep South of the United States, with the slave trade and shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War.

All the film’s principal cast play their roles to perfection. Special mentions go out to Foxx and Waltz. Foxx delivers a powerful performance, as he goes from being a really timid and weak slave to a confident bounty hunter under the guidance of his German partner. Another stellar performance also comes from Waltz in his second film with Tarantino, the first being Inglourious Basterds. His performance here, like in Basterds, was one that the Austrian excelled in and landed him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the second time, a rare achievement in Hollywood. Waltz and Foxx have great chemistry on screen, and as the film develops, their partnership only gets stronger. Leonardo DiCaprio also excels in his role as Calvin Candie, the cruel and brutal owner of the plantation on which Django’s wife is held in captivity. Similarly, Samuel L Jackson plays Candie’s fiercely loyal house slave, Stephen, and again, the performance by Jackson is incredible.

While Candie initially appears to be the film’s main villain, it could be said that Stephen is the film’s main antagonist. His relationship, or lack thereof, with Django is almost instantaneously hostile and only worsens as the plot develops. Meanwhile, the camaraderie between Stephen and Candie is fascinating to watch as Stephen is forever lurking over his master’s shoulder like a predator that is lurking, waiting for the right moment to pounce on its prey. The dialogue between the main characters is outstanding.

In true Tarantino style, the film features some very violent moments, some of which may make viewers wince in horror. Yet, at other times, the violence is somewhat over the top or excessive. Yet the violence is Tarantino’s signature piece and he delivers in emphatic style with some great action sequences. Nevertheless, the film offers moments that will keep you glued to your seat, or maybe hiding behind the couch in fear. However, the film offers comedic value, with moments that will get the audience laughing. The length of the film may put some people off, as Tarantino films have a tendency to drag on a little too long. However, with Django Unchained, every minute counts and is important to the plot.