Alliance Command

Everybody hates Nazi’s (for the most part). Hitler’s SS and Third Reich are the epitome of an evil political-military power bent on world conquest. The horrific, tragic suffering of the Jews during World War II remains one of the worst acts of genocide in history. So, when I heard about the story behind Quinten Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds, the sweet vision of revisionist revenge sounded intriguing.

Several “Chapters” of the movie were fabulous, and built great interest, specifically the introductory scene and a Resistance-versus-Occupation basement rendezvous meeting gone bad. Christoph Waltz as the Nazi Security Chief, Colonel Hans Landa, was brilliant — and also the best part of the movie. Mike Myers cameo was fun and Bradd Pitt’s Italian accent at the premiere of “Nation’s Pride” is good for laughs.

The primary con of the film is in the ‘Bastards’ seeming enjoyment of killing. Where they are supposed to be the avenging heroes, they appear to revel in murder just as much as the Nazi’s, who save for the intro, aren’t shown doing much except talking about German films. Also, the escaped Jewish girl from the beginning of the movie–Melanie Laurent played by Shosanna Dreyfus–never confronts Colonel Landa who massacred her family. Instead, they chatted here and there before a fiery conclusion where she dies and he doesn’t.

My opinion is the movie could have been better, but unless images of graphic scalping would prevent you from seeing a film, rent it.

File Under:   Pop Culture