This post is not about Brad Pitt. He is not losing his touch. Tis a little bitter sweet for me to say that, because, due to his largess, I feel like I'm supposed to want him to start losing his touch. I feel almost anti-American for not disliking him. Isn't that what being American is all about? Striving for success and disliking anyone who has it ahead of you? Well despite that, despite his huge gobs of it... I can't dislike him. He's too good. He's the star of hit movies year after year, and still i can't dislike him. Not even when he got Jennifer Aniston. Not even when he got Angelina Jolie! Whoever-the-dude that knocked up Alba, is still not forgiven, yet Pitt gets a pass for Jolie. I can't quite understand it. My only guess is becuase he's just too good. His role in films like Snatch, Ocean's 11/2/3, and Fight Club are just too entertaining. And in this movie, he's just as good. But I digress. This post is not about Brad Pitt. He is not losing his touch. But I think, perhaps, Tarantino is.
Now I'll make this clear right up front. Inglourious Basterds is an enjoyable movie. If you have 2 and a half hours to spare, you could find many worse ways to spend it than watching this movie. That is not exactly a glowing statement, but it is exactly accurate. Its a fun film that is glaringly Tarantino.
When he dropped Reservoir Dogs, and Pulp Fiction, and even the Kill Bills, he brought a unique style of story telling that let the viewing public know that it is possible, even preferable, to make a film that does not prescribe to any set formula of story telling. Each movie had its own character and felt like no other movie before it. That is precisely where Inglourious Basterds falls short. It feels like a Tarantino movie. It follows a Tarantino formula. There is nothing new about it.
No doubt about it, the man can make a movie. When his movie making career is over, this one will not be listed as Tarantino masterpeice. It will be another title on the list, a footnote, a 'by the way, he also made..."
