The Hateful Eight (2015)

Posted on February 15, 2016 by emmakwall

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‘The Hateful Eight’ – new Tarantino review

So I finally watched The Hateful Eight – double hurrah! Did I enjoy it? Of course I fucking did. I love Quentin Tarantino and I loved his 8th movie. Though I’m not going to lie to you, this review was a struggle and took me the best part of a week. Why? I don’t know. Writer’s block I guess and it’s not the first time it’s happened. I found it hard even knowing what to say – like, what do I say? What do I even think?!

I thought it might help to break the review up into cool-Quentin-Tarantino-style-chapters and though it didn’t help at all I thought they were groovy and worth keeping.

There are no spoilers in this review, not even tiny weeny ones. Not even a hint. Not even a sign of that annoying person who says “I won’t ruin it for you, but I just have to tell you this one thing…………..”. So if anyone wants to discuss things further – tweet me bro.

Chapter One – Introduction 

The Hateful Eight is Tarantino’s first proper Western, that doesn’t actually feel like a Western at all. Mind you the Q-Man did admit its entirely influenced by 80s horror classic The Thing, which was the only movie he let the cast watch before filming. O-Kay then. Makes sense to me…

Actually it does make sense, in the way that the story has an isolated feel and is full of distrust among the characters – I didn’t just mean that Kurt Russell is rocking the hairy-in-the-snow look again.

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The premise is simple – eight ‘hateful’ people are snowed up in a tavern, unable to leave during bad weather. Some of them know each other, some of them don’t. But one of them is holding onto precious bounty in the shape of Dasiy Domergue – a wanted criminal with a high price on her head. Revelations, gun shots and dialogue ensues. What will happen before the final credits roll?

The Hateful Eight has a very ‘murder mystery / Agatha Christie’ feel, as well as invariably drawing comparisons to Reservoir Dogs. And The Thing!

Chapter Two – The Ennio Morricone Original Score

I was very, very and extremely excited to hear the main score from The Hateful Eight. I actually bought the soundtrack back in December (bad arse) but of course couldn’t listen to it until I’d seen the film. Fitting a three hour film into my life is never easy (that’s three episodes of Celebrity Big Brother) but somehow, on the 6th February, I did it.

As soon as the score (and the movie) started I was actually quite annoying. Grinning a lot with a ‘knowing’ expression, bobbing up in my chair and looking around for other reactions from people that I clearly wasn’t going to get. I suddenly thought “oh my god I’m about to watch the eighth Quentin Tarantino movie!”.

Ennio Morricone wrote the music, which is why I was acting like a kid on Skittles. Tarantino has been hot for Morricone for years and used many of his old scores but NEVER BEFORE has Morricone written him an original piece of music. He did write a song – which was performed in Django Unchained, but The Hateful Eight is the first Tarantino movie to ever include an original Ennio Morricone score. Cool huh? No wonder QT decided to make a Western (of sorts).

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And despite tight deadlines, Morricone did not disappoint. Though I must say it’s not the score I was expecting. Maybe it’s wishful thinking but given the genre I was kind of expecting more ‘cowboy’ and ‘Sergio Leone’. Maybe some whistling or something?

But Morricone’s main score sounds modern, rather creepy and adventurous. It has a very mischievous sound to it – almost malevolent at times, which sets the tone for The ‘Hateful’ (they don’t call them them for nothing) Eight nicely. And because this is an original score there’s a first for a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack – variations of the  main theme are played throughout the film.

It’s already won a ton of awards including Best Original Music at the BAFTAs just last night. Listen to it here, but only if you’ve seen the movie okay?

Chapter Three – The Characters and The Actors

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The actors are mainly Tarantino regulars (of course) and I think the only two of the actual ‘eight’ who hadn’t worked with him before were Demian Bichir and Jennifer Jason Leigh. And did you know he originally  wanted Jennifer Lawrence for the role of Daisy?

It’s annoying but I can’t really go into much detail about any of them – not unless you want to be second-guessing what happens. Obviously they are all hateful, but some are more hateful than others and if I start talking about a fondness for someone well that could give stuff away. I don’t like to say too much about film plots anyway, I think most things are better watched with little knowledge.

But the usual attention-to-detail was present in the shape of cool references and clues. Like you know how Michael Madsen is called Vic Vega in Reservoir Dogs and John Travolta is Vince Vega in Pulp Fiction? Stuff like that. And all the performances good with no complaints from me. Though I must say Michael Madsen – for whatever mental reason – reminded me a bit of a drag queen.

All of the characters are somewhat of a mystery and it feels like our job – as the viewer – to try and work it out as we go along. Nothing much is explained about anyone, save for what you can pick up from the typical-Tarantino-conversational-dialogue. Piece together who you should and shouldn’t trust. Figure out who’s talking straight and who’s spinning the yarn. And most importantly, ask yourself who would you rather be stuck in a lift with.

Chapter Four – The Story and The Script

As previously mentioned The Hateful Eight has a bit of an Agatha Christie feel (gotta be The Mousetrap) but I must say it feels rather like a stage play anyway. Not because of the dialogue exactly, but to me it strongly felt that there were two separate parts to the story. I know the 70mm versions played with an intermission anyway but even on the regular edit you could feel that half-time gap. Even now I can remember exactly when it happened and just as I was starting to feel a fidget in me, the curtain came down and out came the girl with the ice creams. Not literally (boo) but it did feel fresh again.

The dialogue, in my humble opinion, was brilliant. I am biased because I love QT scripts and if you’re anything like me you’re instantly involved, absorbed and the minutes roll by unnoticed. On that front the guy never disappoints and I was shocked, amused and speculating throughout.

I did wonder once or twice about the re-watchability because it’s a rather long, drawn out mystery that surely might lose something when fully aware of twists and conclusion. But in hindsight there is nothing to ponder, in all honesty it will take two or three watches before I even understand everything and I’m looking forward to piecing together some of the early clues. Quentin wrote the script to make us work, he didn’t just ‘give us all the answers’ in a flowery basket (with ice cream), a lot of things are left up to us to decide. There is no real answer – only hints and our imaginations.

Last Chapter – My Verdict

I enjoyed The Hateful Eight a lot. I’m actually pretty excited to watch it again so I can get to know it even better. I know it may not be what some people expect but it’s still one of the best movies I’ve seen it ages. And I queued up for Zoolander 2 on Saturday night so don’t think you’re not dealing with a major connoisseur here.

It may be tad over long. And it is a little odd in places, I think you can tell Tarantino is trying to be mature and clever as well as having control over a much bigger budget than the old days. But it still has his vibe from the yellow title writing to the Red Apple tobacco and you know what, I’m listening to the soundtrack right now and every time a piece of dialogue comes on I’m smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

Apart from another sublime soundtrack and the ‘ultra violence’ he’s known for, the writing has Tarantino written all over it and that’s always a winner for me.

So are him and Tim Roth arguing here or what?

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About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
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86 Responses to The Hateful Eight (2015)

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  1. Jenna and Allie (@FlickChicksBlog) says:
    February 16, 2016 at 10:27

    Love this review! This was definitely the best way to write it. I haven’t seen many Tarantino movies and the length of this one was putting me off but I absolutely LOVED it! Like you say, it’s difficult to talk to anyone about without putting ideas in their heads but I’d recommend it to anyone 🙂
    – Allie

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    • emmakwall says:
      February 16, 2016 at 11:12

      Thanks Allie, made my day reading your comment! Thank you 🙂

      Which other Tarantino movies have you seen?

      Yeah the 3 hour duration definitely put me off!! It always does but I’m glad I watched it in the end 🙂

      I’d recommend it to anyone too, now you’ve said that I’ve just realised I actually would!! 🙂

      Like

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  2. Zoë says:
    February 16, 2016 at 05:49

    I loved this review, and the fact that I could read the whole thing because there weren’t any spoilers, and nary a spoiler was encountered. WHOOP! I am so amped to watch this, because, well, Tarantino. I love how passionate you get about soundtracks 🙂 Glad to see you enjoyed this!

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  3. Jordan Dodd says:
    February 16, 2016 at 04:31

    Great review Emma. Can’t say I agree with much of it 😛 but well written. My biggest problem was the way the violence was handled… nothing memorable, no iconic showdowns, all slow-motion shots that killed the impact I thought. I also found the story itself to be a bit boring, but that’s just me

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    • emmakwall says:
      February 16, 2016 at 10:10

      Thanks Jordan!!! 🙂

      I read somewhere that when Samuel L Jackson’s character kills the old guy in the armchair he was originally supposed to get blasted into the fireplace from the impact of being shot and start burning. How cool would that have been?!

      I know a lot of people didn’t enjoy this movie so much which is a shame but it won’t be for everyone. It really did remind me of a murder mystery more than anything else lol and didn’t feel much like a Western either.

      Maybe another watch one day? How you been by the way mmmmmm’kay? 😀

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      • Jordan Dodd says:
        February 17, 2016 at 02:09

        Yeah I’ll definitely need to rewatch sometime. But I just think of the speed of the violence in some sequences in Inglorious Basterds, and yet here its all slow motion. That disappointed me the most. I didn’t mind the murder mystery caper, but as a ‘chamber piece’ I think Dogs is better in almost every way. Just my two cents 🙂

        I am doing well Emmmkay! Thanks for asking 🙂 How have you been?

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        • emmakwall says:
          February 17, 2016 at 09:17

          Inglourious Basterds and Reservoir Dogs are two of my favourite QT films anyway, as well as Pulp Fiction and Death Proof! I doubt The Hateful Eight will ever be a favourite, like Django Unchained – I knew that wouldn’t be either but I still enjoyed them. I know what you mean entirely though 🙂

          Not at all Jordy! Feel like we’ve not spoken in ages 🙂 I’m alright thank you. My sister moved to Sydney a few weeks ago! In passing lol.

          Emmmmmmmmmmmm’kay 😀

          I hear you’re championing the return of Shitfest and possibly hosting?!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

          Like

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  4. Flashback/Backslide says:
    February 16, 2016 at 00:43

    Awesome review! (Though I prefer the version that starts half way in Chapter 3, then jumps back to Chapter 1 then 4). I like this movie a lot as well but think it fell a little short of my (super high) expectations. I’m going to try to rewatch it again soon since the second viewing is usually more fair since it’s without expectations. (Try is the key word. Three hours is a serious commitment.)

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    • emmakwall says:
      February 16, 2016 at 10:13

      Haha, I should have done that! TRUE Tarantino style, let’s begin at Chapter 3!

      I agree about second viewings, I’m actually looking forward to watching it again and will do as soon as possible, I’m sure I’ll figure out a bit more 🙂

      I don’t think I’ll ever love a Tarantino movie like the old classics so in a way I don’t expect as much from his newer films but he’s still one of my favourite directors and a very unique, cool film maker!

      I know right, 3 hours!!!! I could be doing something else like sleeping…or watching six episodes of Family Guy! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff says:
    February 15, 2016 at 21:54

    Wow Ems! You may have wrestled with writers block initially, but I think you may have outdone yourself with this review! I have a feeling I may be buying this when it comes out on dvd.😊

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. JunkChuck says:
    February 15, 2016 at 20:56

    Drove 55 miles each way to see the roadshow version on a wide screen, on glowing film–not digital–worth every minute of that drive.

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  7. alexraphael says:
    February 15, 2016 at 20:55

    Will come back to this properly when I see it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. movierob says:
    February 15, 2016 at 20:06

    LOVED!!!! THIS!!!! FILM!!!!
    Can’t wait to rewatch it next week in preparations for the Oscars!!!

    Great review Ems! Love how u did it by chapters a la QT!!

    Look out for a review from me shortly that u’ve been waiting for! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Claudette Melanson - Author of Dark Fantasy says:
    February 15, 2016 at 20:05

    I almost watched this yesterday, now I really want to!

    Liked by 1 person

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