Quentin Tarantino, the renowned filmmaker known for his distinctive style, recently expressed that Inglourious Basterds is the best movie he has ever made. This reflection came amid his plans to create only one more film, capping his career at ten movies. The conversation around Tarantino’s best movie has sparked debate, with many critics and fans arguing that Django Unchained might better deserve that honor due to its bold storytelling and striking execution.
Tarantino’s Personal Favorites Across His Films
In an interview with the Church of Tarantino podcast, Tarantino shared that while Inglourious Basterds stands as his best film, his favorite is actually Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Additionally, he described Kill Bill as the ultimate representation of his style, a project that aligns deeply with his passions and cinematic obsessions. These distinctions reveal how Tarantino views his work through different lenses—best, favorite, and truest to his artistic identity—adding complexity to any simple ranking.
Why Some Consider Django Unchained Tarantino’s Masterpiece
A strong argument exists for Django Unchained being Tarantino’s crowning achievement because it fully embraces and revitalizes the genres that have long inspired him, especially blaxploitation films and spaghetti Westerns. Unlike other works that pay homage, Django Unchained adopts these styles so thoroughly that it borders on satire. The story follows a freed slave, played by Jamie Foxx, who partners with a German bounty hunter, portrayed by Christoph Waltz, to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio.
The clear division between virtuous heroes and hateful villains gives the film the feel of a heroic fable, inviting viewers to root for justice served through violent retribution. This echoes the narrative style Tarantino used in Inglourious Basterds, where grotesquely evil Nazis meet fiery ends. Django Unchained pushes these themes to extremes, which both captivated and unsettled audiences at the time of release.
Controversy and Impact of Django Unchained’s Style
The film’s candid depiction of slavery’s horrors, combined with its frequent use of the n-word and graphic violence, sparked significant controversy. Some critics questioned whether the film’s tone and content were appropriate, but these elements also highlight Tarantino’s willingness to provoke and challenge viewers. His choice to escalate genre tropes to their highest intensity makes Django Unchained unlike any other movie. It is simultaneously a feast for fans of Tarantino’s style and a deeply unsettling examination of brutal history.
Django Unchained stands as a testament to Tarantino’s unique vision: no other director could craft such a film, and it remains unlikely another ever will. Its intense combination of spectacle and thematic weight ensures its place in discussions about the director’s best work, even as he personally favors Inglourious Basterds.
Cast and Plot Highlights That Define Django Unchained
The film stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave determined to reunite with his wife, played by Kerry Washington. Assisting him is Christoph Waltz’s character, a German bounty hunter with a sharp wit and deadly skills. Their mission to confront the cruel plantation owner, Leonard DiCaprio’s character, unfolds against the backdrop of the American South, highlighting tensions of race, power, and revenge.
This ensemble cast delivers performances that enhance the film’s gripping and intense narrative, balancing Tarantino’s stylized violence with moments of heartfelt emotion. The interactions among these characters bring authenticity and urgency to the story, making Django Unchained a compelling cinematic experience.
As Tarantino approaches the final chapter of his directing career, the debate over his best movie continues. Whether it is Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, or another classic from his filmography, his impact on modern cinema remains undeniable. Fans and critics alike will continue to discuss and celebrate the choices he has made and the films he has created for years to come.
