Film review: The Hateful Eight (18)

There’s a certain prestige that comes with every Quentin Tarantino release that very few film directors command.

If you’re down with his style of film-making (and I most certainly am) then it’s a fair bet that you’ve been looking forward to the Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained director’s eighth offering for some time.

Aptly named The Hateful Eight, Tarantino’s latest movie comes with all the usual hallmarks of one of his films and is another western – although there are few similarities to the awesome Django (other than the trademark gore, of course).

Is the Hateful Eight Tarantino’s best movie yet? I’d be lying if I said yes.

But there’s more than enough here for it to be considered another fine offering from one of the best film-makers out there.

The biggest difference here is that that vast majority of the near-three hour film is set in one location – a Wyoming ‘tavern’ dubbed Minnie’s Haberdashery.

It sees eight relative strangers snowed in during a blizzard, with no chance of communicating with anyone else from the outside world.

Of course, some of them are hiding secrets and criminal intent from the others, making for a pretty explosive situation.

Amongst them are a pair of bounty hunters – Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) and John “The Hangman” Ruth (Kurt Russell).

They arrive with Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), who claims to be the new sheriff of nearby Red Rock, Ruth’s prisoner Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and their driver OB (James Parks).

Already there when they arrive are General Sandy Smithers (Bruce Dern), cowboy Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), Mexican worker Bob (Demian Bichir) and Brit Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth).

Without wishing to give anyway anything, the basic premise is that Ruth suspects that (at least) one of the others is in league with Daisy and expects them to make their move in a bid to save her neck (she’s due to be hanged on arrival in Red Rock).

If you’re familiar with Tarantino’s work, you’ll know what happens next.

Verbal sparring, murder and mystery are the order of the day, with comical anecdotes and trademark gore packaged in too.

I enjoyed each of the characters, with all bringing plenty to the table. Jackson and Russell typically steal plenty of scenes (Jackson in particular delivers a stand-out story that isn’t for the faint-hearted), while the less revered Leigh and Goggins also shine as two memorable characters.

However, the Hateful Eight does suffer with pacing issues. Even as somebody that loves Tarantino’s trademark storytelling, it felt like a good two hours before the film really got going.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed seeing a strong cast flex their muscles, but it won’t be for everybody. I don’t think the film is helped by being anchored to one location in that regard, too.

When the action does get under way, however, it’s absolutely brutal. There’s a great twist too, which you almost certainly won’t see coming unless you’ve done a bit of pre-film research (don’t).

It’s something of a given with Tarantino, but if you’re not down with racism, sexism, extreme language and savage violence, this isn’t the film for you.

If you do fancy it, I’d rate it more in the same league as Inglorious Basterds than the likes of Pulp Ficton or Django when it comes to my favourite Tarantino offerings.

That’s not to say the Hateful Eight isn’t well worth your time, though.

Voice Verdict: 8/10 (reviewed at West End Cinema, Boston)
+ Great cast
+ Trademark Tarantino style
+ Great final hour
– ….but the first two hours are very slow

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Jan 15 to Thurs, Jan 21)

**CREED (12A)
12.15pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 1pm (Fri), 3pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.45pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)

**CREED – SUBTITLED SHOWING (12A)
5pm (Mon)

**THE REVENANT (15)
1pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 4.30pm (daily), 8pm (daily)

THE HATEFUL EIGHT (18)
1pm (Fri), 4.15pm (not Mon), 7.45pm (daily)

THE DANISH GIRL (15)
10am (Sat/Sun), 2pm (Fri), 4.20pm (Mon/Tues/Thurs)

JOY (12A)
1.15pm (Wed), 1.40pm (Fri)

DADDY’S HOME (12A)
2.15pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 4.25pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 6.35pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D (12A)
2.20pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 2D (12A)
10.40am (Sat/Sun), 5.20pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)

THE PEANUTS MOVIE 2D (U)
10am (Sat/Sun), noon (Sat/Sun), 2.10pm (Sat/Sun), 4pm (not Sat/Sun/Wed)

THE GOOD DINOSAUR 2D (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun), noon (Sat/Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
10.15am Sat/Sun – Hotel Transylvania 2D (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – The Danish Girl (15)

** FREE LIST SUSPENDED

SHOWTIMES
South Holland Centre (Fri, Jan 15 to Thurs, Jan 21)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 2D (12A)
11am (Fri/Thurs), 2pm (Sat/Mon), 6.30pm (Sat), 7.30pm (Tues)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D (12A)
6.30pm (Sun), 7.30pm (Wed)

MACBETH (15)
2pm (Tues), 7.30pm (Mon – Movie Club)