The Hateful Eight – Blu-Ray Movie Review

The Hateful 8 is set 6 or 8 or 12 years after the Civil War in wintery Wyoming, and a blizzard is coming. Bounty Hunter John Ruth is trying to get his bounty, Ms. Daisy Domergue (Dah-mer-goo), to the town of Red Rock where she’s scheduled to be brought to justice. Along the way he and his wagon driver Olie pick up two strangers; another bounty hunter and former union soldier, Major Marquis Warren, and a former southern renegade who claims to be the new mayor of Red Rock, Chris Mannix. The impending storm has forced them to stop at Minnie’s Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie’s, they are not greeted by the proprietor but by four strangers. As the storm takes over the mountainside cabin our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all…

Specifications

The Weinstein Company
1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.76:1 Aspect Ratio
2015, Rated R, 2 hours 48 minutes
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern
Directed by Quentin TarantinoRating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: EXTREME
Sex: None
Language: Profanity

The Hateful Eight is a tribute to westerns in many ways, but also adds elements of a “whodunit” caper. Divided into chapters, we begin with a long ride on a stagecoach in which “The Hangman” John Ruth is transporting his bounty, Daisy Domergue, to town to be brought to justice. Immediately they encounter another bounty hunter, former northern Major Marquis Warren, who is likewise transporting his catch to town (albeit dead rather than alive). The signature Quentin Tarantino dialog shines right away as the three passengers and their interesting interpersonal dynamics come out. Shortly down the road, they pick up another passenger, the supposed next Sherriff of the town (while also a former southern brigade member), Chris Mannix. More hilarity ensues as they continue to try to outrun a nasty blizzard. When it is clear that they won’t succeed, they find themselves holed up at Minnie’s Haberdashery, a cabin oasis seemingly in the middle of nowhere, for a couple of days.

It is from this point on that the story takes the twist from western to more of the “whodunit”. You begin to wonder who is telling the truth about themselves and what brought them to be at this cabin, if, indeed, anyone at all can be believed. As the night goes on, we learn which characters have ill feelings for which others. Perhaps my favorite is the friction between the old southern General Sandy Smithers and Major Marquis Warren. At first the general won’t even speak to Warren on account of him being a free black man, but eventually we see some of his soft side come out as he learns they have a common battle experience. That doesn’t change the fact that they are still sworn enemies at heart, but this is the sort of thing that makes a Tarantino movie so incredible. When you have a combination of incredible writing and tremendous acting, the result is a masterpiece in storytelling, which I would, without question, apply to this film.

Still, you expect to see the patented Tarantino ultra-violence at some point, and the ending provides it in spades. Without spoiling the conclusion, I’ll say that everything resolves itself in a particularly bloody yet satisfying way. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a “Tarantino buff”, but I have enjoyed most of his films. I find that this one rises to the level of his earliest works (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction). I enjoyed it when I saw it in the theater, and a second viewing at home only solidified that feeling.

The Hateful Eight was not just a Tarantino flick to go see, it was billed as an experience. Part of the draw of the theatrical showing was to go to one of the theaters playing the film in 70mm Panavision, complete with no trailers, and an intermission. While waiting to enter the theater, you were also presented with a playbill of sorts. This was an homage to the days of the travelling road show, something not really reproducible even in the best home theaters. So the question is, how does the movie translate into this medium, especially since the release features the standard theatrical release and not the roadshow version?

Despite that drawback, right off the bat I was a believer. The opening credits are simple, over a visual panorama of a beautiful snowy scene in the mountains of Wyoming. The transfer looks outstanding and the 2.76:1 super wide format helps convey the expanse of the territory well. We are also treated to the first of many wonderful pieces from the score by the great Ennio Morricone. Although the majority of the film taking place in closed quarters, these elements are very important to the presentation and overall quality of the film. Tarantino has long been considered an auteur, partly because of his attention to the actual film medium. Every camera shot, every placement of music – it is all intricately tied together. The Blu-Ray presentation is fantastic in that it conveys the audiovisual details superbly. Any Tarantino fan, hardcore or not, should consider adding this to their collection.

• Beyond the Eight: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
• Sam Jackson’s Guide to Glorious 70 mm