The Hateful Eight is Quentin Tarantino’s latest masterpiece
and is somewhat more akin to chamber theater.
The movie opens off following a stagecoach that’s rushing
through the harsh winter terrain avoiding a torrential blizzard that’s on its
tail. Within the coach is a rugged
bearded outlaw named John Ruth, also known as the Hangman, and his captive, a
feisty woman named Daisy. An route to
collect his bounty, they come across Major Marquis Warren, another bounty
hunter, and Chris Mannix, who are stranded in the cold and request a ride from
John Ruth. Not knowing if they can be
trusted, Ruth grudgingly gives them a ride, keeping his fingers hovering closely
over the triggers of his firearms. As
the blizzard becomes more perilous, the band arrives at a lodge, where they
meet the remaining eight. However,
everyone looks a little too greasy, and smells a little bit too much like gunpowder. Who can be trusted? It’s not too long after their arrival that
the Hangman realizes this and that there may be a ploy to free the captive Ms.
Daisy. Everyone is on the edge. But who will make it out alive?
I was listening to Tarantino’s interview on Howard Stern
just before Christmas. He described
enjoying old western shows, notably the Virginian, and especially episodes
where an unknown figure shows up in town.
Up until the end, you never know if they stranger is a good or bad
person. This inspired his Hateful 8. He wanted to make a movie that only starred
these unknown and foreboding strangers.
What a fucking genius!
Tarantino as always crafts intriguing dialogue between his
players. And fortunately, he chose
strong players to fill out his script.
Notably for me, Walton Goggins was the standout as the Chris
Mannix. More so than Kurt Russell (who seems to be an extension of his character in Bone Tomahawk) and Samuel L.
Jackson who both always shine in their roles, he fully portrayed the untrusting
mysterious stranger up until the end.
It’s an engaging story and worth to see, as all Tarantino
movies are. However, I don’t feel like
it’s his best movie if only for the reason of its long runtime which I feel
could have been tightened up and condensed.
Tarantino has been imploring the public to see the film in
70 mm if possible and I find that interesting as the movie really only has two
settings (a carriage and the lodge) and doesn’t really take advantage of vast
landscapes which would look beautiful in 70 mm.
To that, I’d say the 70 mm is not necessary, just so long as you get to
see the movie at all!
It’s an easy recommend!
Until next time, later geeks!
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