As anticipation for his latest movie Kick Ass reaches fever pitch, Matthew Vaughn’s 2007 Stardust finds a home on Blu-ray – and what a perfect use of the high definition format it is. The sumptuous visuals are a large part of its magical charm, although its fantastical story and wonderful cast of characters also go some way to explain its huge appeal.
To proclaim that Tarantino’s done it again may seem like a rather glib statement, but that makes it no less true. With Inglourious Basterds, the film-maker has produced another breathless example of a style of cinema he has made firmly his own; a brash celebration of everything we have come to associate from the man who brought us generation-defining fare like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. And it is so deeply Tarantino – from the beautifully crafted opening scene that proves to be a masterclass in quiet tension, to the no-holds-barred explosive climax – that it is yet another directorial double edged sword. Because, as with the entirety of his back catalogue, Tarantino has made no compromises in making a film on his own meticulous terms so that, although it may be his most wide-reaching to date, it will continue to alienate those who don’t buy into his unique style. But for those who do, Basterds is a blast.
That the third film in the gothic action Underworld franchise is an origin story is most likely what makes it hold its own; rather than tread the same tired path as its predecessors, it has the benefit of being able to start from scratch. That’s not to say it differs wildly from the first two movies, in that it’s high-octane action from start to finish, but it has fun in establishing just how the vampire and werewolf races came to be such deadly enemies.
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