Inglourious Basterds ****

"Inglourious Basterds" is glorious film making. But don't expect history from Quentin Tarantino's tribute to World War II movies. Instead, expect emotional truth, a lush '40s look, tense life and death scenes of well-crafted dialog, a self-conscious tribute to movies, trademark Tarantino violence, and a story whose pieces fit together like film over sprocket wheels leading to an explosive, revenge fantasy cathartic climax.

Performances are also glorious. Brad Pitt is a standout as the leader of a band of Jewish commandos operating, and terrorizing Nazis, behind enemy lines. Melanie Laurant captivates as a young theater owner with a past who concocts an unbelievable plot. But the standout performance is from Christoph Waltz, whose chilling, insightful, and deadly polyglot German investigator Col. Hans Landa already has many fans calling for an Oscar.

Tarantino has a well-deserved hit here. The great writing and directing are his, and he merits the accolades sure to come.

Rated R. 153 minutes. Quentin Tarantino - Director / Writer, Lawrence Bender - Producer, Robert Richardson - Cinematographer, David Wasco - Production Designer, Sally Menke - Editor. Produced by Universal Pictures. Distributed by The Weinstein Company.

Principal actors: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Til Schweiger, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Mike Myers, Cloris Leachman, and Samuel L. Jackson.