Inglourious Basterds!!

Finally!! Was able to watch "Inglourious Basterds" in the theatre today.. Was waiting for a long time for this one. Was looking for a DvDrip first, because I wasn't sure if (and when) it was going to release in India. I guess they're right when they tell you to be careful what you wish for!

First of all, I'm gonna say Quentin Tarantino is one crazy "Basterd"!! I can't think of any other movie director whose appetite for blood and gore is greater than this guy's. Think about it. He gave us Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill vol. I and II, The "Hostel" series, Deathproof, Reservoir Dogs... He's probably the king of gore in hollywood.. And believe me people, this movie is no different.. Extremely graphic, I wouldn't recommend it to the faint of heart! Well, I'd guessed that when I'd seen the part where a guy gets hit with a baseball bat, in the promo.. Lots of other gory scenes too, but in case someone reading this might be considering watching this movie, it might turn out to be a spoiler!

Although I might consider myself a fan of Tarantino's work(especially his earlier ficks), I couldn't really help but think that maybe this movie's slightly overrated. C'mon, #43 on the IMDB top 250 list?? Give me a break! I'm not saying its a bad movie(Actually, it was much better than a lot of other stuff Tarantino's come up with in the recent past.), but maybe some people are getting too carried away with the complements. Personally it was too over the top for me, with too much Nazi bashing for one movie. Hitler has been reduced to a mere caricature. Plus the routine "Americans save the world once again" crap. The idea of 12 Jewish American soldiers going out there to save their Jewish brothers in Europe, killing Nazis along the way, and in turn ending the world war is ludicrous. It just goes to show how shallow, ignorant and full of themselves Americans can be. Crazy stuff, I tell you!

Brad Pitt does a decent job as Lt. Aldo Rayne, with his crazy accent. His performance actually works in a movie like this, and his humour was good too. However, if I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be Cristoph Waltz as Hans Landa. He stole the show in this one, making you laugh an hate him at the same time. He switches between the different shades in his character effortlessly. One scene where he truly shines, is the opening sequence where he interrogates the French dairy farmer. Simply brilliant. I'd actually like to see more of this actor in the future. His accent might be a little confusing at times, but you're so blown away by his performance that you just don't care. Another noteworthy performance is that of Melanie Laurent as Shosanna Dreyfuss. Her story provides an interesting angle to the movie.

All in all, an average movie. Well, maybe slightly better. Don't apply too much logic when you're watching it and you'll be fine. In fact, it might appeal most to the fans of hardcore masala bollywood movies. A one time watch, I would say that if not for anything else, watch it for Christoph Waltz's performance.