Do I even need to qualify “Inglourious Basterds?” Do I even need to review it? Look, there’s only three ways about it: you love Quentin Tarentino, you like him or you don’t. I’m the first category and, out of fear of lapsing into another onanistic film geek session about how wonderful this director and his new film is, I’m keeping my thoughts short on this one because, for another reason, there will be plenty of time for that at the end of the year (if you know what I mean) and, for yet another reason, after some considerable thought and enjoyment this is a film that demands a second viewing.

In short, this film defies expectations while at the same time fulfilling a whole new set of ones. It’s not the buddie, “Dirty Dozen” war movie the ads made it out to be, it’s a SPY movie… a revisionist spy movie…. a revisionist spy movie fairy tale (the film begins “once upon a time… in Nazi occupied France”)… about MOVIES (the film is set in a movie theater owned by a jew in hiding played by Melanie Laurent)… a revisionist spy movie fairy tale about the history changing power cinema itself that isn’t even directly about the scalp huntin Basterds! Wow, just wow. Didn’t see that coming but if I did I guess I wouldn’t be such a fan of the director.

Do I love Tarentino’s films because I’m a blind fanboy or because he’s that good? All I know for sure is that I’ve bought into every single thing Tarentino ever made (even the underrated “Death Proof”). The reason is simple: his exuberance is matched by his skill as a filmmaker and storyteller. This film is no exception. What proved to be most enjoyable is that “Inglourious Basterds”  is as much of a B-movie as it is a thoughtfully executed period drama. I’ve always said that what puts Tarentino down a few degrees is his inability (or perhaps unwillingness) to not make a Tarentino movie, to tell a story without winking or laughing or shooting. This is as close as he’s gotten to that and, stupid me, he’s gotten there without compromising who he is. In fact there are more riveting scenes set at a dinner table than the battlefield! Bravo. The film ends with this line from the top Basterd Brad Pitt, speaking to the best character of the year, a high ranking SS Nazi played Christopher Waltz and known affectionately as “The Jew Hunter”:  “I’ve made my masterpiece.” Yup.

Grade: A