Django Unchained Part 4- Don Johnson about working with Quentin Tarantino
Reviewed by Glenda Parris-Jamie Foxx stars as Django, a slave living just a few years before the beginning of the Civil War. When we first meet Django, he is a slave being led in shackles with a group of fellow slaves across the countryside. Shortly after the film opens, Django is freed by a German-born bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz ( Christopher Waltz) who enlists Django’s help to capture three outlaws who only Django can identify. The audience then learns that Django has a wife named Broomhilda von Shaft (Kerry Washington), who was sold away to a slimy and sinister plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Shultz agrees to help Django rescue his wife and the two ride off to Candie’s plantation, where they meet all sorts of unsavory characters, including head slave Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson), who proves to be every bit as treacherous as his master Candie
Directed and Written by Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained is bloody, brutal but exciting and sometimes funny. Some of the scenes show the brutal treatment of the slaves on the plantation. All the characters did an amazing job. I was particularly impressed with Jamie whose character seems to evolve into a black killing machine out to exact revenge not only for the treatment of his wife but for all slaves held in bondage.
This movie was definitely over the top but oh-so enjoyable and typical Tarantino fare. I was especially intrigued by the relationship between Django and Dr. Schultz. Although Djangowas a slave (unschooled and could not read), these two central characters developed a friendship and respect for each other that had you rooting for them to succeed. I loved the unusual mix of rap music with the classic Western style music; tough but playful. I was especially enthralled with the transformation of Django from a silent slave (not talking much at the beginning of the movie) to a superhero slave at the end of the movie.
There will most likely be negative comments about this movie as to the portrayal of Django as a slave turned superhero; the ‘n” word used frequently; the blood and the gore, but overall, if you are a fan of Tarantino, you will enjoy this movie. Of all the Tarantino movie’s that I have seen, this one was the most enjoyable. It is a must-see but not for the fainthearted.
Review by Glenda Parris Footage Courtesy of The Weinstein Company and Paramount Studios
