Quentin Tarantino's filmmaking style is often heavily exaggerated; nonsensical dialogue and one-liners, almost cartoon-ish levels of blood and gore, with a grainy film look added on top to remind you that what you're watching often isn't meant to be taken at face-value.
That said, his more recent films are starting to give off a more serious tone. The over-editing of the film grain hasn't been so present, the dialogue is more genuine and self-aware, and the stories are a lot more grounded and believable.
Set just two years before the Civil War, Django is a slave accompanying a well-educated German bounty hunter for the sole purpose of helping him locate two notorious criminals: the Brittle brothers. Having no idea of what they look like, Dr. Schultz offers Django his freedom, and his long-lost wife in the event that they capture the brothers.
Their quest sees them travelling from plantation to plantation, roaming through the harsh, snowy landscapes on horseback and encountering various unfriendly groups, allowing Django to practice his shooting and learn to protect himself and Dr. Schultz.
With the locations often wide and rich in colour, it leaves behind the question as to why Tarantino chose to film Django Unchained in 35mm, and The Hateful Eight in 70mm, given Django Unchained would've drastically benefited from the improved resolution and colour from shooting with 70mm film; that said, Django Unchained looks incredible. Its cinematography is immersive, and is used perfectly for each character and their personality. Through the shots you can certainly feel the tense nature of this world, especially for a slave.
Django Unchained feels like a turn for Tarantino; his career feels like we're watching the slow carving of wood that eventually reveals something of worth and creativity, witnessing the process of art be refined and toned down into something unique and visually compelling. As we watch, the artist themselves begins to learn of their own style.