DJANGO UNCHAINED
Is there a filmmaker working today who is more creatively unhinged than Quentin Tarantino? I can't possibly ever believe it. Time and time again, Tarantino has proved that he is a cinematic prodigy; one of the finest writers/directors of not only our generation, but of all time. It's difficult to pick a single favorite from his rich, spectacular filmography, which includes the likes of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Inglourious Basterds. He may have a miss every so often (Death Proof, anyone?), but even those can't keep him from churning out the goods year after year. And yet, even with these masterpieces under his belt, nothing he has made may quite measure up to his latest work: The unrestrained and downright balls-to-the-walls insane Django Unchained. His Spaghetti Westernizing of slavery in the 1800's is revelatory and there is no doubt in my mind that Tarantino has delivered yet another masterpiece.
The thing that really makes Tarantino a great filmmaker is the way he upends the conventions of any well-known genre and reshapes them to be completely fresh and original while still being instantly recognizable. Django contains all the traits that make his films such a joy to watch and here he cranks them up past eleven (Spinal Tap would be envious). Every single frame of this film is bursting at the seams with action, clever dialogue, suspense, humor, and, naturally, a kick-ass soundtrack. It's filled to the brim with filmmaking fervor and with every twist and turn, one can picture Tarantino bouncing around with excitement as he inspires unbridled glee from his viewing public, the kind of glee that only he is capable of producing.
As always, Tarantino has filled his roles with another perfect cast. Jamie Foxx is Django and he has never been so purely awesome. Christoph Waltz also makes a welcome return to the Tarantino universe as the bounty hunter who takes Django under his wing, serving as his friend and mentor and guiding him on his quest to reclaim his wife from the evil Calvin J. Candie, played with sinister perfection by Leonardo DiCaprio. Other supporting cast members include Tarantino regular Samuel L. Jackson as Candie's wickedly funny house servant Stephen and the lovely Kerry Washington as Django's long lost bride. Both are naturally spectacular.
At nearly three hours long, Django never once drags, nor does it overstay its welcome. It is endlessly entertaining, providing a thrilling story with rich, well-drawn characters spouting razor sharp dialogue. In all honesty, if the film had been another hour longer, I wouldn't have minded in the slightest. It really is that fantastic. There are very few things in this world as thrilling as watching a master filmmaker in complete control of their craft. With Django Unchained, Tarantino continues to prove himself as a cinematic force to be reckoned with. This talk of an early retirement better be codswallop or I shall make it my life long duty to force Tarantino back into action. Let us hope that the writing/directing bug never ceases to pester him. For as long as Quentin Tarantino is making films, the moviegoing world will always have something to rejoice.
FINAL RATING: 5/5
LINCOLN
God, I love Steven Spielberg. Say what you will about his career as of late, but one thing cannot be disputed: The guy knows how to make great movies. His latest film Lincoln is a passion project of his that he's reportedly been working on for the past decade and his affection for the material and the man at the center of it all is rather apparent. Still, it's not every man who can take a story about politics and elderly gentlemen sitting around large desks discussing them and make it captivating for a general viewing audience. But, Mr. Spielberg is no mere man and, once again, he has made a deeply felt work that not only ranks as one of 2012's best, but one of Spielberg's finest films in his more recent years.
Lincoln tells the story of our legendary 16th president and his tireless attempts to pass the 13th amendment, which will guarantee the abolishment of slavery once and for all. Spielberg weaves this tale with the greatest of ease. Working with a phenomenal script by Tony Kushner, he manages to combine fascinating drawn out political debates with humor and, above all, a strong sense of humanity. Fascinating is a word I never thought I'd ever use to describe a political debate, but that's part of the genius of this film - It manages to enthrall despite it's potentially dry subject matter. Most importantly, it never loses its focus on its characters and it is they who provide this film with its much-needed heart and soul.
Great direction aside, it's the performances that really make Lincoln shine. The cast is chock full o' talent, showcasing some of the finest performers of all time doing what they do best. It goes without saying that Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal as Abraham Lincoln is magnificent and mesmerizing. His resemblance to the historical figure is uncanny to the point where if you replaced his profile with the real Abraham Lincoln's on a five-dollar bill, I doubt many would notice the difference. His heartfelt, powerful performance helps steer the film to greatness. Equally as spectacular is Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens. Jones brings his standard, always welcome world-weariness to the role along with a wicked sense of humor that makes this one of his best performances to date. The supporting cast also includes the likes of Sally Field as the strong-willed Mrs. Lincoln, David Strathairn as Secretary of State William Seward and James Spader as Republican party operative William N. Bilbo. Even Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who's been popping up everywhere, makes an effective, if all too brief, appearance as Lincoln's son Robert.
Lincoln is virtually flawless and if there's any fault with which it can be attributed, it's the inclusion of a short sequence involving its title character's tragic assassination. These shockingly abrupt scenes contribute nothing to the final product and actually serve to diminish the overall impact of the film's ending. But, despite this minor defect, Spielberg proves once again why he is arguably the greatest filmmaker of all time. His mastery of the craft is impeccable and along with deeply felt performances and a strong sense of humanity, the ballots are in: Lincoln is magnificent.
FINAL RATING: 4.5/5
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