Fan Rant: When Marketing Leads Audiences Astray - Cinematical

In a somewhat similar fashion, Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds is bound to feel like a letdown to at least some of the moviegoers who’ve seen the ads and expect Tarantino to deliver his long-promised Sergio Leone-meets-The Dirty Dozen homage. The spaghetti western tone is there, certainly, but the Basterds themselves are just one component in a larger film that spends most of its time focused elsewhere. In fact, after setting up the squad of eight Jewish American soldiers led by Brad Pitt, we only get the sketchiest of character studies of two of them. Seen a second or third time, Tarantino’s picture reveals itself to be a masterfully crafted work — but on first viewing, it’s jarring to realize that this isn’t the movie being sold to the public, and it colors the viewing experience.

Interesting. I’ve had some negative reviews of Basterds from friends in the week since seeing it, though not all were because of the marketing.

I’m usually pretty outspoken when it comes to my disregard for other people’s opinions of entertainment - I’m a jerk like that - but on this particular point, I get it.

Aldo Raine was not even the 3rd or 4th lead in Inglourious Basterds. What could most people possibly expect?

Though I don’t think I’m the audience for a trailer for a Tarantino film. I don’t need trailers for Tarantino films. Just a session time.