Inglourious Basterds has about four or five scenes that are the equal of almost any other, and for as much as we talk of violence in his films, is masterful at maintaining tension in the non-violent scenes. (Think of Shoshana and Hans in the restaurant) Certainly, scenes of the audience hooting at the violence in the movie-within-the-movie is a commentary of the audience reaction evoked when the theater burns down and the Nazi leadership is executed.

I think it's also a movie about fear - and it seems that fundamental to the revenge plot - isn't merely to kill the Nazis, but also to make them experience the fear they've up to now presented to others. In this respect, it's a little bit different than previous Tarantino revenge plots.