Django Unchained: Too Much Tarantino?
Quentin Tarantino’s next movie, Django Unchained, is shaping up to be a monster of awesomeness. His films are always hyper-self-aware: after all, it wouldn’t be a Tarantino film without a lot of blood, inside jokes, and Uma Thurman. But with the latest casting, we have to ask: is this just too much Tarantino-ness for its own good?
The film reportedly follows Django, an escaped-slave-turned-bounty-hunter (Jamie Foxx!), and his mentor (Christoph Waltz!) in the pre-Civil-War South. They attempts to rescue Django’s wife (Kerry Washington!) from an evil plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio!). Foxx is confirmed, with the others less clear. And Samuel L. Jackson will be in it, because he apparently likes just hanging out in Tarantino movies.
Last week brought news that Kevin Costner will join the film as a boss on the plantation. This is a major departure for the Field of Dreams star, who banks on the image of a likable everyman, not a sadistic villain.
Did we mention that it’s going to be a Western? The South isn’t the West, but whatever.
So to recap: important historical era (like in Inglorious Basterds)? Check. Star-studded cast including some regulars? Check. Super violent premise? Check. Wholesome celebrity changing his image (like Travolta in Pulp Fiction)? Check. Crazy genre choice? Check. Making it all work? We can only wait and see…
I love Quentin Tarantino, and the more I find out about this film the more I want to see it. Tarantino doesn’t play by anyone’s rules; he doesn’t even have any rules which make his films refreshing. In a time where everyone is playing it safe with remakes and Rom-Coms; Django Unchained will shock us out of this zombie like film making and going experience that we have all falling into. Tarantino is kind of a revolutionary; he has always made extraordinary films which remind us you don’t have to play by Hollywood’s rules. Also you have more and more filmmakers following in his footsteps. In my opinion, because Tarantino never had any rules and always did what he wanted to do it is impossible for Django Unchained to be too Tarantino. Also years from now like decades people everyone will realize his genius!