The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino is probably one of my all time favorite directors. He doesn't just make movies, he makes experiences. Which, nowadays is a pretty rare thing. So when I heard he was making a Western, how could I not be pumped up? The Hateful Eight is Tarantino's 8th movie and he filmed it using 70mm film which is a thing of the past, since everything is digital so this makes it pretty cool. So, naturally, a couple of friends and I saw the 70mm version and had a wonderful experience. It played like the movies of old, no previews, a great story, an intermission and an epic finale. So, hop on the stage coach and let's review The Hateful Eight!

The Plot:
Two bounty hunters, a criminal, and a new Sheriff hop on a stage coach to head to Red Rock, but are forced to seek shelter due an incoming blizzard at a haberdashery with four others. However, one bounty hunter believes that someone isn't who they say they are and paranoia ensues.  The bounty hunters are Major Marquis Warren (played by Samuel L. Jackson) and John "The Hangman" Ruth (played by Kurt Russel). Ruth thinks that someone is out to free his bounty Daisy Domergue (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh). The tension builds and builds until tempers flare and all hell breaks loose. Is someone in cahoots with Daisy or is John "The Hangman" just paranoid? Is everyone telling the truth, or is there a liar or liars in the midst?

The Good:
Everything, to be honest. It was pretty cool to at least feel like a moviegoer in the golden age of film. The cast is great and there are laughs to be had. Even the bloody parts are fun to watch, though it's not for the squeamish. The scenery is stunning and is almost a character itself.

The Bad:
Like I mentioned above, this movie isn't for the squeamish. There's also some shock value, but it feels like Tarantino is trying to go as far as he can with the shock value. These parts of the movie are uncomfortable at best and don't really serve a purpose to the plot. It feels tacked on at times and it can be a bit distracting from the plot.

Overall:
The Hateful Eight is an entertaining movie to say the least. The shock value feels overdone and has no point other than to make you go "ew!".  Other than that, it's fun. The cast does well, and the story is pretty fun to watch. And if you get a chance to see it on 70mm film, you definitely should.

4 stage coaches out of 5.