Kill Bill

I’m going to review both Vol 1 and 2. I know that Tarantino is coming out with a full length film where both are combined….but I think they are distinctly different.

Kill Bill was Tarantino’s “official” 4th movie and was advertised as such. Kind of a weird way of marketing a movie if you ask me. What is my response to that statement supposed to be? “oooooooh, the fourth movie…..ahhhh that means its going to be amazing!” Well, I guess we are lucky that it was.

I have no desire to mention all of the homages, tributes, and cameos that are riddled throughout these films – there are tonnes. If you can identify them – you are a super-nerd, put together from pieces of lesser nerds. All I will say is that Vol 1. is very much in the tradition of 1970s kung-fu films, and Vol 2. is more along the lines of the spaghetti westerns (sort of).

To me, Kill Bill is an extremely entertaining movie that shows off Tarantino’s ability to create awesome action sequences, while maintaining a strong story-telling element. Many people were disappointed with Vol1. since it was so different from his other films. To me, that’s the reason I like it. It is very apparent that he is absolutely loving the scenes he is putting together and the energy that comes through is amazing. The focus on the importance placed on the samurai swords is so high that the Hitori Hanzo sword is almost a main character of the film.

The fight scenes in Vol. 1 are very different than those in Vol 2. The exaggerated, almost comic-book aspect of these fight scenes seem to make them a bit ridiculous (but ridiculously cool). However, deep down, Vol 1. isn’t ridiculous. It is a story that is rooted in revenge and vengeance. Vol 2. played more into this theme, with its fight scenes a bit more visceral.

Uma Thurman was amazing in this movie. She has officially joined the club of kick-ass females along side Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton. She was believable as “the Bride” and had some pretty awesome acting moments – like when she was waking up from the coma. In fact, everyone in the movie fit their roles very well – with one exception – Bill. Bill bored me. I enjoyed all of the lead up to his character– but the scenes in Vol 2, where he is the main focus, are a bit over the top. David Carradine’s delivery of the lines seem a bit forced. On top of that, the writing started to feel a bit much during the “Superman” monologue at the end of Vol 2. The comments made by Bill about Superman were written to sound very profound, but if you know anything about Superman, you know the point he is trying to make about 1 sentence into a 7 minute blab.

There are many elements to like in Kill Bill. From the fight sequences to the anime. Tarantino continues to show his skill of well-placed music, camerawork, and editing. Overall, Tarantino has weaved an incredibly badass revenge epic that will knock your socks off. While it has its faults, the end result is one of the greatest action films of all time.

8.5/10

Why not 9? David Carridine
Why not 10? David Carridine