Tarantino is a master of his art. Utilizing over the top action and gory practical and special effects to bring dramatic stories to life. One of my personal favourites being the Western Django Unchained.

Details of Django Unchained

Distributor: The Weinstein Company, Sony Pictures Releasing
Production Companies: A Band Apart & Columbia Pictures
Director:  Quentin Tarantino

Producers: Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone
Scriptwriters: Quentin Tarantino
Main Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christopher Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L Jackson, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, Michael Parks, & Don Johnson
Released: 25th December 2012

Running Time: 165 Minutes
Certificate: 18

Story of Django Unchained

The story of Django Unchained follows the titular character Django being freed from slavery. He’s freedom is bought by a dentist who seeks help from Django to track down a bounty. As the dentist is not just a dentist, but a deadly profecient bounty hunter also.

After taking out the first bounties the two form a partnership. With the Dentist willing to help Django search for his lost love. Dramilda. The rest of the film follows the two tracking down his love and ultimately, at a heavy price, freeing her.

Analysis of Django Unchained

Cinematography

Like all Tarantino film the cinematography is masterclass. Action scenes are well thought out and the final result just leaves you speechless. Costumes are beautifully designed and researched. They all fit the time period. I especially liked Djangos flamboyant costumes.

Characters

The dynamic and heartwarming friendship of Django and the Dentist is a key draw of the film. This relationship is a key part of the story as well. So much so that when Will Smith was offered the part he turned it down. As he thought the Dentist had as big of a part as Django. We see the Dentist give Django a freedom and teach him the ways of being a bounty hunter. He dresses him and gives him weapons. He’s probably the first person for a good while to show Django any sort of respect, something Django appreciates. The rest of the cast is just as impactful with Monsieur Candy being played by none other than DiCaprio.

It’s no wonder Tarantino originally wanted to continue Django’s story with a sequel. Unfortunately, for Django fans he came to the ultimate conclusion that he didn’t wish to ruin Django’s perfect ending. So a new completely original idea was put into production, one with no ties to Django. This ended up being 2015’s The Hateful Eight.

The Action

Action is where Tarantino shines. Often gory, and over the top but always a spectacle. Django is no exception. The climax for instance is one of the best compilations of shootouts I can recall. Jamie Foxx plays Django brilliantly and is an impressively quick draw. His excellent performance both in the dramatic dialogue and the accelerating action.

Summary

Django Unchained is a beautiful concoction of costumes, cinematography, choreography, and an all studded cast of memorable characters. It is a must watch Western and stands out as one of best of the genre. Possibly even standing above the rest as the best modern Western.

Overall Rating: 10 – Masterpiece!

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