The Hateful Eight: A Comprehensive Review of Tarantino’s Icy Western Masterpiece

Decoding Tarantino's Icy Western: A Deep Dive into "The Hateful Eight"

"The Hateful Eight" does not follow the usual Western tropes. It's a whodunit set in a blizzard-ridden cabin. Move over, vast landscapes and heroic riders. This film is a boiling pot of suspicion, tension, and plenty of brutal violence. Let's explore this explosive film.

Unraveling the Plot: Poison, Letters, and a Whole Lotta Killin'

Get ready. The plot of "The Hateful Eight" twists like a licorice whip in a storm. It starts with a stagecoach and diverse strangers finding shelter at Minnie's Haberdashery. However, things spiral down quickly. It's faster than shouting "yeehaw."

The Poisoned Coffee: A Brew of Betrayal

Ah, poison. The quiet killer, ideal for a Tarantino film. In this movie, hot coffee serves as a tool for deception. Who spiked the brew, and what were their motives?

Our culprit? Joe Gage, the reserved cowboy. While everyone focuses on Major Warren and General Smithers’ tense standoff – an intense Mexican standoff – Gage sneaks in a deadly ingredient to the coffee. It's an unwanted addition.

True to Tarantino’s style, this reveal is blatant. Joe Gage openly confesses his crime. It seems honesty is valued even for a cold-hearted poisoner.

Poor John Ruth, "The Hangman," receives Gage's nasty concoction. One minute he's intent on bringing Daisy Domergue to justice. The next, he's out for the count. It's a brutal end, fitting for someone delivering capital punishment.

O.B., the stagecoach driver, only wanted payment and warmth. Instead, he witnesses chaos and meets a gruesome fate as well. His demise is less graphic than Ruth's but still messy, involving blood and a ruined outfit.

The Lincoln Letter: Fake News in the 19th Century

Before social media, fake news existed too. Major Marquis Warren, a bounty hunter who loves tall tales, holds a letter he claims is from Abraham Lincoln. It’s his ticket to safety, his "get out of profiling free" card.

Spoiler alert: Honest Abe had no role in it. The letter is as fake as a vegetarian at a barbecue. Major Warren wrote it himself.

Samuel L. Jackson portrays a fraud when it comes to presidential letters. But desperate circumstances call for desperate actions in a prejudiced society.

Why would Warren forge a letter? The answer is simple: safety and dignity. In the Wild West, being black posed risks, even with heavy weaponry. The Lincoln letter was Warren's shield against a hostile world.

This is sad but necessary commentary. In "The Hateful Eight," respect often comes through deception, sometimes with the aid of a forged presidential note.

Sheriff Chris Mannix, a self-proclaimed lawman with questionable skills, sees through the ruse swiftly. He determines the letter is fake faster than saying "four score and seven years ago."

Mannix is no fool. He knows Warren's reputation, and a Lincoln letter doesn't match his profile. The film's final lines from Mannix offer a perfect mic drop on this Lincoln farce.

A Deadly Roll Call: Killers and the Killed

"The Hateful Eight" doubles as a body count film disguised as drama. Let’s review the fallen characters.

John Ruth, our favorite Hangman, doesn’t just get poisoned; he receives a double dose of demise. Daisy Domergue, his captor, adds a bullet to ensure his death, doubling down on the murder.

Bob, also known as Marco, falls victim to Major Marquis Warren. Warren eliminates threats efficiently. Bob/Marco clearly posed a danger.

Finally, Jody Domergue, Daisy’s brother and lurking menace, also dies at Warren's hands. By the film's end, Warren has quite the kill total. He's like an exterminator, but with bullets instead of poisons.

Endings and Inspirations: From Alternate Fates to Carpenter Homages

Every movie has an ending, but not all endings matter equally. Sometimes the ending differs from the original script. Plus, let’s explore Tarantino’s inspirations!

The Road Not Taken: The Original, Gruesome Ending

Imagine an even harsher finale for Warren. In the original script, Jody shoots him while hiding under floorboards. Daisy later finishes him off with multiple bullets. Yikes. That is a rough day at work.

Survivors? Maybe. Probably Not.

In the theatrical cut, Chris Mannix and Major Warren remain. They slump in their chairs, sharing smoke and glancing at the fake Lincoln letter. They’re alive, for now. However, their bloody losses wouldn’t support long-term survival.

"The Thing" Inspiration: Cabin Fever, Western Style

Ever feel déjà vu during "The Hateful Eight"? Tarantino borrowed from John Carpenter’s "The Thing." Isolated people face paranoia and danger amidst a blizzard. Recognizable, right?

Tarantino confirms "The Thing" influence. He takes its claustrophobia and tension and embeds it within a snowbound Western setting. Brilliant? Likely. Derivative? More of a loving homage with a Tarantino flair.

Behind the Scenes: Snow, Guitars, and Mustaches of Legend

The quality of films extends beyond what appears onscreen; it also encompasses effort and sometimes broken equipment. "The Hateful Eight" is full of behind-the-scenes stories.

Filming in the Freezer: Colorado and Cold, Hard Reality

Tarantino avoided green screens and fake snow for authenticity in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Yes, that was real snow, and it felt cold.

The exterior scenes were shot amid Colorado's cold winter. The crew didn't just act cold; they genuinely dealt with frigid conditions.

For indoor shots, they recreated Minnie's Haberdashery on a Hollywood soundstage. But Tarantino wanted more than just realistic visuals. He chilled the air to 30° Fahrenheit to capture breath. Commitment or insanity? You decide.

The Guitar Smash Heard 'Round the World (of Martin Guitars)

Kurt Russell, portraying John Ruth, smashes a guitar in a cinematic moment of infamy. It sounds typical. However, it wasn't just any guitar; it was a 145-year-old Martin guitar. Oops.

Turns...

Out, nobody told Kurt Russell it was real. He assumed it was a fake. Jennifer Jason Leigh's reaction was genuine horror. She knew it was a priceless antique being destroyed. An unscripted moment of drama.

After the incident, the smashed guitar's price skyrocketed. Kurt Russell joked about its worth. It transformed from vintage instrument to bizarre movie memorabilia. That guitar's tale is more dramatic than entire films.

The Magnificent 'Stache: Kurt Russell's Lip Sweater

Let's remember Kurt Russell's mustache in this film. It's a character itself, a badge of Western machismo. Yes, it was gloriously real.

Kurt Russell didn't wear a fake mustache. He committed to growing his own. He cultivated that magnificent lip caterpillar for months. That's commitment to the 'stache, folks. That's real dedication.

Critical Verdict: Oscars, Box Office, and the "Bad" Reviews

"The Hateful Eight" wasn't loved by all. Critics found it divisive, and the box office, while decent, wasn't Tarantino's best. Let’s break down the reception.

Oscar Glory: Ennio Morricone's Golden Touch

Despite mixed reviews, "The Hateful Eight" received an Oscar. For Best Original Score, offered to Ennio Morricone. He finally earned his golden statue for chilling music. After decades of iconic scores, justice is served, even if delayed.

Is it Worth Your Time? Critics Weigh In (with Mixed Results)

Some critics praised "The Hateful Eight" as a masterpiece. They lauded Tarantino's direction, the performances, and audacity. "Hilarious, suspenseful, bloody, and masterful," said one review. High praise indeed.

The Dark Side of the Haberdashery: Why Some Critics Hated It

However, not all embraced the "Hateful Eight" hype. Some critics deemed it... well, hateful. Let's explore those criticisms.

A common issue was the stagnant plot. The entire film takes place in one setting. While claustrophobia can be effective, some felt it led to boredom. "Stuck in Minnie's Haberdashery" became a metaphor for the film's pacing.

Tarantino’s dialogue shines. But in "The Hateful Eight," some felt it tilted toward excessive verbosity. Too much talk, not enough action was the consensus.

Another issue was the lack of relatable characters. Were they hateful or just... unlikeable? Critics argued that the characters felt too defined by their violence.

Tarantino and violence go together like peanut butter and jelly. But in "The Hateful Eight," some considered the brutality excessive, even for him. Was it violence to further the plot, or just shock value? Critics debated.

Unlike other Tarantino films, "The Hateful Eight" struggled for emotional connection. Was it too cynical? Too nihilistic? Too... hateful? Some found it lack emotional warmth.

Box Office Blues? Not a Flop, But Not a Blockbuster

"The Hateful Eight" wasn't a box office disaster, but it didn’t perform as well as Tarantino's other films. Did mixed reviews hurt it? Did Western fatigue set in? Was it simply too long and dialogue-heavy for mainstream audiences?

"The Thing" Revisited: Inspiration Redux

Yes, we're returning to "The Thing" again. The influence is clear. Tarantino borrowed from Carpenter's classic, and it shows.

Narrator Enigma: Tarantino's Voice from Above?

Did Quentin Tarantino narrate "The Hateful Eight"? Yes, he did. He was "totally open" to feedback on his narration. Imagine giving notes to Tarantino on his direction... of himself. That's Hollywood.

Themes and Meanings: What's the Point, Quentin?

So, what's the takeaway from "The Hateful Eight"? Is it merely a stylish, violent Western, or does something deeper lurk beneath the snowdrifts?

The Moral of the Story? Justice or Just Hatefulness?

Some argue "The Hateful Eight" is about setting aside differences for justice. Mannix and Warren, despite initial animosity, team up against the bad guys. A warm tale of unlikely alliances? Maybe.

Or perhaps it’s the opposite. The point could be every character is hateful, with no real moral. A bunch of bad people doing bad things in a dire situation. Cynical? Definitely Tarantino.

Villainous Lineup: Who Wears the Black Hat? (Everyone)

Who's the villain in "The Hateful Eight"? Choose any character. Daisy Domergue, a murderous outlaw? Major Marquis Warren, a manipulative bounty hunter? General Smithers, a racist Confederate? All fit in their own horrific ways. It’s less about good versus evil and more about varying shades of terrible.

The Yellow Scarf: A Splash of Cowardice?

The Union soldier's yellow scarf serves as a subtle cue. Yellow often signifies cowardice. The soldier faced dishonorable discharge, metaphorically a "yellow stripe." Amidst browns and whites, that yellow symbolizes shame and weakness.

Connections and Kinships: Tarantino's Cinematic Web

Tarantino’s films often exist in a shared universe. "The Hateful Eight" fits this pattern.

Django's White Hell: Almost a Sequel

Initially, "The Hateful Eight" was a sequel to "Django Unchained," titled "Django in White Hell." Imagine Django braving a blizzard... While it evolved into a standalone story, the essence of Django remains in its setting and themes of race and violence.

Magnificent Inspiration: Seven Outlaws Become Eight Hatefuls

"The Hateful Eight" draws elements from "The Magnificent Seven," another iconic Western of outlaws. Both are action-packed, ensemble dramas set in the Wild West. Tarantino nods to classics while sprinkling his unique chaos.

"Ridiculous" Comparisons: Westerns by the Numbers

No, "The Ridiculous 6," "The Magnificent Seven," and "The Hateful Eight" lack direct connections, beyond being Westerns with numerical titles. While they’re all Westerns, they differ vastly in style and tone. Netflix’s "Ridiculous 6" is comedic, "Magnificent Seven" a classic action Western, and "Hateful Eight" is... simply "The Hateful Eight." A genre-bending venture.

Random Trivia: Title Meanings, Hidden Characters, and Oscar Oddities

Let's close with fun facts about "The Hateful Eight" as well as the Oscars.

"Hateful Eight": Why the Name?

The title "The Hateful Eight"? Likely due to its rhyme with "great." Just kidding (mostly). Tarantino hinted it's because it's his eighth film, and "hateful" sounds cool and Western-like. Sometimes, titles just sound neat, even if vague.

The Tenth Hateful: Jody Under the Floorboards

Officially, it's "The Hateful Eight." However, including Jody under the floorboards for most of the film, one could say it's "The Hateful Nine." Or "The Hateful Ten," counting Channing Tatum, who played Jody and was cleverly kept out of marketing to preserve the surprise.

Oscar Rejection: When Actors Say "No Thanks"

Marlon Brando, Dudley Nichols, and George C. Scott are notable actors who declined their Oscars. Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather to reject his award in protest. Scott believed actors should not compete against each other. That’s quite the statement.

Oscar Stripping? Never Happened

Has anyone ever lost an Oscar? No. Once you obtain that golden statue, it belongs to you forever. Even if you star in a Razzie-winning film or break a priceless guitar on set.

The Animated Oscar Winner: Mickey Mouse?

The only "non-human" Oscar winner? Technically, it could be a 2D-animated mouse. Who? That’s a fuzzy story for another time. But Hollywood does love a good mascot, even if it’s made of ink and paint.

So there you have it. "The Hateful Eight" unraveled, dissected, and hopefully demystified. It’s a brutal, talkative, visually striking film not for everyone. But if you’re a Tarantino enthusiast or enjoy snowbound thrillers with body counts, give "The Hateful Eight" a spin. Just skip the coffee at Minnie's Haberdashery.