Review of The Hateful Eight (2015) by Adam R — 24 Sep 2016

Quentin Tarantino's latest work is exactly what you expect to be: snappy dialogue, colorful characters, and over the top bouts of gratuitous violence. If you love this sort of thing from Tarantino, then you'll love this movie.

There's something to be said of a filmmaker who continues to make, more or less, the exact same type of movie but continues to be praised by critics and mainstream audiences. On one hand, this is a man who knows his craft extremely well and knows how to play to his own strengths.

On the other hand, considering that this is his eighth film, it almost feels a step back in many respects. After literally changing the genre of filmmaking with Pulp Fiction, maturing as a director with Jackie Brown, and expanding his storytelling universe to epic proportions with Inglourious Basterds, The Hateful Eight feels almost like a step down in back into his comfort zone.

This may sound really harsh but let me be clear that this is still a great movie. The script is still excellent, the acting is tremendous across the board, and there is a wonderful atmosphere throughout.

It's just that with this film it feels a little too familiar. Ultimately, I would liken this movie to the Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar!, nothing fantastic but still perfectly enjoyable in its own right - especially if you're a fan of the director.