How much can you expect from a QT spaghetti western with WWII iconography? A lot! Can you expect even more after reading innunmerable laudatory reviews about the film and becoming aware of the sensitive issues it deals with? Most definitely! Still, even after you think you've seen it all, after your friends went in and out of the movie theaters for the same Tarantino experience, even after you've memorized the trailers, you can't expect 'Inglourious Basterds' to be more than a war film with a mispelled title, that deals with issues such as the Holocaust - one that will surely be offensive if considering Tarantino's trademark directorial approach. Yet, you can't be more further from the truth - and as simple as it may sound, no words suffice in describing this unique cinematic experience.
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This is not a film, this is not even art, this is something that takes those elements to the next level and tries to redefine our understanding of how a masterpiece is really made. Not even after several outstanding movies that evoke the dark and tumultuous times of WWII have won critical acclaim, nobody is ready for what they are about to experience. Trying out the harsh task of avoiding any spoilers, all I'm gonna say is that... the ending is so clear-cut, so humane, so obvious... it's basically near-to-impossible to predict.
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If you think Tarantino is one of your favorite filmmakers, think again - everything you knew about his style will surely change after this screening. It's not an easy movie, not even a relaxing one, it tortures you and remodels our distorted understandings of certain artistic principles lowered to the level of stereotypes in time. The imagery is superb, abundant in symbols - there are also some long bohemian shots that I personally consider a homage to Russian director Andrei Tarkvosky.
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Besides that, this is clearly the cinema-maniac's most humane film uptodate. His characters are not merely a conduit for his vulgar tendencies anymore - they are not there just to fill up the space and make a good show overall. These are real people, with both flaws and impressive characteristic traits, characters you can despise, admire, look up to or be revolted by - in any case, they represent the missing link in the evolution of filmmaking in the Tarantinoverse.
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Overall, this movie is simply perfect in every respect - it's spectacular, breathtaking, 100% umpredictable and as remarkable as innovative. Most likely, this will change the vision we are acustomed to regarding war. history or epic movies. "Inglourious Basterds" clears the way to a new age of filmmaking and artistic expression, where there are no boundaries between the fictitious world and the real one anymore and both of them can coincide, independent of each other.
If you live in London, I recommend David Lean Cinema. Students get a major discount, the prices are low and it's easy to book your ticket online. The screening room consists of below 100 seats and a medium projection screen, but it's intimate. The only complaint I can think of is the neverending previews and commercials that make you wanna scream 'Can we start the goddamn film already?' - but I guess that's how they make up for the low prices.
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