The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino kicks off 2016 with his second Western: The Hateful Eight.

This looks like an amazing year for film and starting off with a new Tarantino is proof positive of that. For us, this is superior to Django Unchained; QT has honed the formula and introduced some of his signature elements to the format. This is akin to a culmination of everything Tarantino has done up to now.

It plays like a greatest hits featuring long, slow conversation scenes, revealing flashbacks, a Mexican stand off, same scenes shown from another point of view, gratuitous violence and dark humour.

We will readily admit our bias but this fandom does allow us to draw a constructive and informative opinion on QT's work.

It's fair to say that this is long; very long indeed, and the first half can even be suggested to be patience-testing (especially for those less familiar with his work.) This slow build pays off though as the characters we meet at the beginning (four of the titular eight) convene at a cabin to shelter from a snowstorm. Here, we meet the second quartet and the proverbial excretion starts to hit the fan.

The slow unwind is extremely satisfying and is achieved by a marvellous script unfolding, because of the one room setting, like a play in front of your eyes. This is very talky and you need to be aware of this going in; much like the fantastic Death Proof which got unfairly maligned by those who thought they were going to get an action-driven car chase movie (which itself is completely against QT's style.) The performances here are masterful; Tarantino again goes 'greatest hits' and Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Michael Madsen and Walton Goggins are all perfect. Tim Roth excels himself with a brilliantly hilarious British accent but it's Tarantino newbie Jennifer Jason Leigh who is the standout here. Her character, Daisy, propels the plot along and she manages the perfect balancing act of being someone we shouldn't, but somehow do, like.

We'll wrap up by saying ignore the furore surrounding the release and screenings, don't fear the length (and don't expect a rambunctious opening), persevere and experience Tarantino at his most Tarantino-esque.

It's masterful but not quite up there with his best.

4 stars ****