The Hateful Eight: (Spoiler Free) Thoughts
Quentin Tarantino is unapologetic, unnerving, and unpredictable. He’s a director that has the power to bubble up dynamic performances, partly due to his impressive dialogue writing, but also from the actors own apparent skill and acting acumen. But heck, this is what you already know. As you walk into the theater to view “The Hateful Eight”, you will likely carry with you your own expectations. Expectations that Tarantino has laid out for himself over the course of his impressive career. So, when I first watched this film, I too had my own expectations. I wondered if it was going to live up to the hype. Rest assured, it does.
It should be apparent by how I’m opening up this article, glorifying the heck out of him, that I’m a Tarantino fanboy. However, I will try to remain as unbiased as possible. The Hateful Eight is a pretty great film, but ultimately it’s flawed.
“The Hateful Eight” is set in a secluded cabin, where eight dubious characters are forced to lodge together to seek refuge from a terrible blizzard.It’s a very cramped and personal gathering. Tensions rise and blood flows. If you’ve seen some of Tarantino’s previous work then you should already know what to expect. There’s going to be plenty of carnage and when the snow settles — bodies.
From a technical standpoint, the film is pretty unabashed by what it’s aiming to achieve. In “The Hateful Eight” Tarantino wants his audience to view his movie like they’re watching an old Western, so he chooses a very rare type of film to sell this effect.
He uses a 70mm film format.
What makes a 70mm film format so important? Well, to put it this way, it’s a very old way of filmmaking.
Lost to cheaper methods — and later to the age of digital cameras — shooting in 70mm quickly became dated. Currently, directors use the new standard 35mm format, but here’s Tarantino using 70mm, a format that hasn’t been used since the 60s. The film looks aged, like a fine wine. It’s crisp and clear while also having a lot of depth. These details are only achievable by the extra-wide screen effect a 70mm film provides.
“The Hateful Eight” is a movie that needs to be seen. It beckons to be viewed, to be experienced. And that’s really what all of Tarantino’s movies are — experiences. Tarantino wants you to feel like you’ve been transported back in time, and to carry on that vibe he adds an overture and intermission accompaniment. The overture’s score is hauntingly beautiful, it’s an original tune by Ennio Morricone, the composer of the film’s soundtrack.
You may be familiar with Morricone’s work? He composed songs and soundtracks of familiar classics like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and “The Thing”. Unfortunately, Morricone has never won an Oscar for his work, but after this movie he definitely should. Morricone is truly a master composer; a veteran, and his music coils up tension much like Quentin’s dialogue.
On the other hand, the intermission was…well an intermission. It seems simplistic but ultimately it further sold me on the effect Tarantino was going for. You just don’t see many films with intermissions and overtures anymore. In fact, most (young) viewers never have. And for a movie with a gargantuan 187 minute runtime, the intermission was very welcomed.
Moreover, if you’re thinking of watching “The Hateful Eight” you need to consider watching it during the Panavision 70mm roadshow that’s happening now in select theaters across the country. This roadshow version includes the amazing overture and the intermission additions, while also adding 5 minutes of footage. This is the only way you can watch “The Hateful Eight” as Tarantino intended, so purchase tickets while you can. The roadshow ends January, 9.
And now for the flaw, the one thing that tarnished this otherwise great movie for me. The rushed final act. So, you’re watching this movie, right? And there’s all this buildup, right? And it’s just crazy how much buildup Tarantino has in this movie, it feels good. It feels palpable. So, you’re on the edge of your seat. And, you’re so nervous that you begin biting your nails, and then the nails of your date. You’re sweating, like actually sweating. Its kind of gross. And then, somewhere during the final act, Tarantino does what he usually does, he goes on a glorious gore filled killing spree. It’s entertaining but ultimately not rewarding and it feels, meh. It cheapens the overall moment, and takes you out of tension filled buildup he was creating. And it to be fair, it wasn’t a bad scene either! It just didn’t have that payoff you were expecting when the movie began. That’s it. That’s my only demerit I can place on this film.
I know for a fact that “The Hateful Eight” will not break my top five Quentin Tarantino films list. I know that it has some issues, yet overall I enjoyed my time watching it.
In all, Tarantino’s newest film will give fans a whole new lexicon of quotable lines to spew. Additionally, they will undoubtedly enjoy the ride despite the bumpy finish. And, more importantly, feel like their money was well spent.
The Hateful Eight is rated R, and is a definite must-see
More to follow,
@josiahCassady