Django Unchained

"I wish to parlez with you."
"Speak English."
"Oh, I'm sorry, please forgive me. it *is* a second language."

Dentist turned bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Waltz) buys the freedom of slave Django (Foxx) to help capture 3 fugitives from justice.  Once the Speck brothers have been dispatched Schultz grants Django his freedom, and they team up to dispatch justice.  Django ultimately wants to find and free his wife, Broomhilda (Washington).

They learn that Broomhilda was sold to Calvin Candie (DiCaprio), a ruthless plantation owner.  They devise a plan to fool Calvin and purchase Broomhilda.  They pose as Mandingo experts to entice Calvin, but can their ruse fool his cruel head slave Stephen (Jackson), and will they survive the trip?


Director Quentin Tarantino has a very distinctive style.  From the opening moments there is no denying who wrote and directed the film.  Going to a Tarantino film you know what to expect: lotta blood, lotta cursing, many deaths, etc.  It was only a matter of time till Tarantino made a "western"... and made it his way.

Christoph Waltz won his second Oscar for this film (he won in 2010 for Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds).  He is mesmerizing as Shultz, a role very different from his Basterds villain.  Jamie Foxx is a strong lead, but is outmatched by his co-stars.  Leonardo DiCaprio is an intriguing villain, a despicable character that dominates the screen, matched only by Waltz.  Frequent Tarantino collaborator Samuel L. Jackson is strong in his role (it's Samuel L. Jackson, of course he's excellent).  Kerry Washington, as the only female character worth mentioning, is decent, but not a major focus of the film.

From the beginning this film was the subject of controversy.  The film liberally uses the "n" word (according to IMDb.com it is used over 110 times), which sparked heated debates and condemnation.  Despite this controversy and condemnation by celebrities, the film was still nominated and won various awards (it had 5 Academy Award nominations and 2 wins).

The performances are great and if you enjoy Tarantino, can stomach gratuitous bloodshed, and excessive use of the "n" word, then check it out!

Django Unchained (2012) 165 minutes
Rating: R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Jamie Foxx as Django
Christoph Waltz as Dr. King Schultz
Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin Candie
Kerry Washington as Broomhilda von Shaft
Samuel L. Jackson as Stephen
Walter Goggins as Billy Crash