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Kill Bill - Vol. 1

Kill Bill - Vol. 1

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A bloody masterpiece for the adult crowd
Review: From its television spots and trailers, one might have guessed Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" would be a stylish Samurai "Crouching Tiger" type of film. Well, that assumption is correct, but the movie indeed turns out to be so much more as the critically-acclaimed director applies his own originality and wit.

Uma Thurman returns to Tarantinoland as the Bride, a revenge-obsessed woman who was the only survivor of her slain wedding party. She sets out to track down the group of assassins responsible, including title character Bill (David Carradine) who put the near-fatal bullet into her head. Tarantino uses the same "out-of-order" technique he's used in the past to tell the story, which might give away certain details in the film, but doesn't necessarily take away from the suspense. The plot follows the Bride as she tracks down each assassin one-by-one to kill them.

Tarantino dances between B&W and color, and live action and anime to really capture the pace and mayhem of this twisted fantasy world (or maybe just to capture the Japanese spirit of the film). He also divides the story into chapters, setting up some of the biggest scenes. And while some violence is past Tarantino efforts has been unsettling to watch, it is blantantly over-the-top and almost cartoonish in this film. But don't think you can get away from a QT movie and not squirm in your seat. There are moments, like the one with the "paying visitor" to the hospital, that are quite disturbing.

All in all, this is a bloodbath with a bite. As you sit back and realize this is one of the most violent movies you have ever seen, you will also find yourself laughing at times at the clever dialogue and a few gags. So as you go through every emotion while watching "Kill Bill," you will most certainly appreciate Tarantino's mission to offer something different and provocative to movie-going audiences. Everything's here: great performances, great cinematography, great music, and that little something extra. And the best part is, it's not over! We still have another volume to venture through which will undoubtedly offer much-needed backstory explaination and set up the Bride's final vicious showdown with Bill. I'm glad the film was split into two parts because I believe the exact moment this first segment cut off was enough to wet the audience's appetite for Volume Two.

Now that I've reviewed the film, I feel I must now offer a note in post-script. While I, a 23-year-old, thoroughly enjoyed this film, I had an inkling of distraction in the back of my mind because there were two children under seven sitting on my same row. Parents, please be responsible. This is not a film you should take your kids to, even if you really want to see it and couldn't find a babysitter. Wait for DVD/video or see it another time on your own. And if you work in a theatre box office and see parents try to take young children into films like "Kill Bill," please give them sufficient warning of violence/sexual content/language.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Return of Tarantino
Review: Whether you enjoy Quentin Tarantino's latest foray into filmmaking, Kill Bill: Volume One, is going to depend a lot on what you bring into it. It is not like his other films, yet, at the same time, it is a lot like them.

Kill Bill is the story of "The Bride," aka "Black Mamba" (Uma Thurman). After a long tenure with the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (DiVAS, and an obvious reference to the Fox Force Five from Pulp Fiction), she attempts to leave, settle down, and have a normal life. But the day of her wedding to an unnamed and unseen groom, the entire wedding party is wiped out by the remaining members of the squad. Left for dead, she wakes up four years later in a hospital room, having been in a coma.

After a minor rehabilitation period in the back of a truck, she cool-mindedly sets out to destroy the remaining four members of the squad--Vernita Green, aka "Copperhead" (Vivica A. Fox); O-Ren Ishii, aka "Cottonmouth" (Lucy Liu); Budd, aka "Sidewinder" (Michael Madsen); Elle Driver, aka "California Mountain Snake" (Daryl Hannah); and their leader, Bill (David Carradine, whose face is never seen--at least not in Volume One.

When I say that Kill Bill is not like Tarantino's other films, I mean that while Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown (and From Dusk Till Dawn and True Romance, if you want to be picky about it) were inspired by all the grindhouse, kung fu films, and spaghetti Westerns (a tradition proudly carried forth by his buddy Robert Rodriguez in his "tortilla Western" El Mariachi series) that Quentin watched during his days as a video store clerk, Kill Bill is one of those films. Therefore, prior familiarity with this genre of films is (almost) necessary. I only say almost because my familiarity is minimal but I was still able to enjoy Kill Bill on its own merits, even while knowing that I was no doubt missing out on some subtle (or not-so-subtle) references. Of course, fans know that Quentin is a big fan of films from the 1970s, and from the beginning, there are references that anyone who has read the press surrounding the release of the film will get, like the "Feature Presentation" and "Filmed in Shaw Scope" cards at the beginning, as well as the Ennio Morricone liberally slathered all over the score.

Visually, the movie is a feast. Tarantino uses every trick in the book to make Volume One look beautiful. Moving cameras, sets and backdrops, costumes--all these come together to give the film a certain feel. The humor is a big part of it, too. The massive amounts of blood spilled (450 gallons, according to one source) is done in such a way that it absolutely cannot be taken seriously. I mean, when was the last time you saw a severed limb spurt like it was coming from a garden hose attachment--all circular and pinprick sprays? The anime was done well and buffered some of the more seedy elements of the film. (For some reason, Tarantino feels the need to have some sort of rape in his films nowadays, but the act is never shown explicitly and the perpetrator is always punished. Pedophilia is given a similar treatment in this sequence.)

But the most attractive part of this movie is the fact that all the major roles are played by women! (To be chauvinist for a moment, I'd just like to say, "Baadasssss chicks with swords! How sexy is that?!") Uma rocks the katana like I've never seen before--all that training really paid off--and this is by far Lucy Liu's best role ever--although that's not really saying much, given the lack of opportunity she has had. But, anyway, watching her in that board meeting was like seeing a new quirk from an old friend--surprising and good. Not all the acting is stellar--Vivica A. Fox is a particular let down, but I think that probably had a lot to do with the lines she was given. So, I guess we'll pin that one on the writer.

The story is minimal, but it's all just a hook to hang the revenge motif on. "The Bride" gets attempted-murdered and goes out to kill everyone involved. The rest is just the enaction of that plot. There is the usual Tarantino-esque nonlinear storytelling (pay attention to who's been marked off the "Death List Five") and probably will require multiple viewings to catch all the references, but, all in all Kill Bill: Volume One is a rollercoaster ride of a movie with a lot to offer fans and newcomers with either previous knowledge or open minds.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What do you expect when somebody did that to you?
Review: It is a revenge film, and scorpios probably will love it.

It has nice details.

It depicted various human nature with the first woman that Uma found again.

Parts of it has the comic book feel... but it must be a nice comic book.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: OOZING WITH STYLE, BUT LACKING IN SUBSTANCE
Review: The soundtrack though is a fabulous treat. And so is Ms. Therman. The fighting finale would match, or beat, the 'Burly Brawl' from Matrix Reloaded. But sadly that's about all going for the movie.

Sure, it's a typical Tarantino visual feast with delicious camera shots from wicked angles. And yes, as a martial arts movie it may hang with the top of the tops (was it just me or did anyone notice "Crouching Tiger" influences too?)

But his 4th film nowhere near matches the sheer class of Jackie Brown or Pulp Fiction. Once the hype has faded, I am sure people'll realise how mediocre this film really is, stylish maybe, original somewhat, but a boring script that shows little direction.

What's most worrisome is that this tripe should be long enough to be cut into two bits. Perhaps the stuff that cults are made of, but a disappointing movie overall. One can only hope that the second part is where it's at.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: AN AWSOME HALF OF ONE MOVIE (THAT WAS SPLIT INTO TWO PARTS)
Review: First of all, I want to get this of my chest! I don't understand why ...people go to see a violent movie and then afterwards, complain that the film was too violent! In the preview you see that their is sword fighting and the title of the movie is KILL BILL, but for some reason people don't think that there will be violence! TO ALL YOU ... PEOPLE OUT THERE, DON'T SEE IT!!! GO SEE A CHICK FLICK OR SOMETHING! ... To all of you Tarantino fans, The movie is awsome! Yeah there's violence in it but the blood squirts are so over the top that it doesn't make you cringe because it's so unrealistic! The violence is so cartoony that I don't know how anyone in their right mind could take it seriously! I even heard people laughing at it! The biggest battle scene in the movie is even shot in Black & White so the blood almost just looks like water! I thought that the story was great and Uma and Lucy Lui definetely steal the show! This movie is totally original and shouldn't be compared to The Matrix or Crouch Tiger, ETC.! There is an awsome anime sequence which developes Lucy Lui's character! The movie is not action packed from beginning to end! There actually is a story which to me, is more important than action! If anyone reads this review and goes to see the movie, just remember that this was originally going to be ONE MOVIE! So look at the movie as the first half of ONE movie! And for a first half....It is totally awsome!! Volume 2 will be even better because all volume 1 is doing is setting up everything for Volume 2! And beleive me, Volume 1 leaves you hanging at the end! Anyway, I'm not going to go on and on, so to all the people out there who think the movie is called "LOVE BILL", just to let you know, It's called "KILL BILL". And if you're expecting puppy dogs and ice cream, then think again! And to all of you Tarantino fans, don't miss this awsome movie that consists of great actors, a great story, awsome cinematography, over the top violence, great music, and perfect direction! You won't be dissapointed unless you are completely brainwashed and think the movie is called "LOVE BILL"!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Thrilling "Bill," Tarantino Does it Again
Review: Most film makers seem to get their recognition through one film that they make. The one film that breaks them out of the ambiguity of the back-studio system and into the limelight. Of course, these film makers are then judged by that one film. That being said, I shall begin this by saying don't expect another "Pulp Fiction" in "Kill Bill," this is an entirely DIFFERENT film, and that is not a good thing...it is a great thing.

To stick to my usual way of doing reviews, let us start with the plot...it's right there in the title. Uma Thurman is "The Bride," a former assasin for the Deadly Viper Assasination Squad (DiVAS). When her previous employer, Bill (David Caradine) and her former co-workers (Darryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox, Lucy Liu, and Michael Madsen) put a bullet in her head on her wedding day, she sets out to kill Bill, and anyone else foolish enough to get in her way. What begins is a highly stylized, non linear, revenge story.

The story-telling is the usual Tarantino slickness; a sense of self-absorbed cool and arrogance that he has become known for. It really works wonders with this story, surprisingly. To its core, "Kill Bill" is a 21st century grindhouse film, but the way the story is told, it's just so unexpected it's refreshing.

The actors seemed to have fun with this movie. That is good, because the audience should have fun with the movie as well. So when the actor and audience (and I'm pretty sure the director) is having a grand ole time with this movie, nothing bad can come out of it. None of the actors are wasting camera time and they all bring out their own sense of swankiness to an already cool atmosphere. You feel the Bride's pain, you associate with O-Ren Ishii's past, you hate Bill, it all works very well.

The music, like his other films, have the Tarantino touch. Specified tracks from yesteryear mixed with a weird techno/hip hop/heavy metal/Asian feel. It serves right up there with the film's collaboration with multiple genres.

The camera work is gorgeous. I'm not just talking about the fight scenes. Tarantino seems to borrow heavily from the Asian feel of his film. The camera seems to go everywhere in every little place. One particular scene follows every little action in a Japanese restaurant that I was wondering through out the whole time where the camera was actually placed to get all these different angles.

I especially loved the scenary. The world of "Kill Bill" cannot exist anywhere on Earth, it's impossible. All the colors, the textures, the environment that each character claims their own, it's all so exotic. Once again, borrowing the "mysticism of the east," only planting it everywhere in this movie. Wow. A nice touch of escapism from what would be boring reality.

The choreography was excellent. The trailer alone is nothing compared to the full movie experience. Believe me, this will leave you gasping for air.

The multi-genre works out better than I first anticipated in this movie. The usage of speghitti western close-ups, with seemingly seventies music, along with martial arts, equals a cocktail any true movie fan can appreciate. Also, the use of black and white, spurting blood, beeping out The Bride's real name whenever it's uttered, and that anime sequence, every convention works in this film. It's godlike.

I guess my only gripe about "Kill Bill" was it not to have been cut in two parts. However, with the sheer exhiliration of "Volume One," I think I might need this cool down period before the conclusion.

In the end, with equal parts tributes to samurai, spaghetti westerns, kung fu, anime, and blaxploitation films, this is old-school art at its finest. "Kill Bill" is a roller coaster ride, as in it is not for the squemish, and those who go on it will feel ultimatly rewarded for doing so. Oh, and if you don't like it, it's perfectly alright, then the movie wasn't meant for you. Like Quentin's other films, this movie offers up to one true audience; the true lovers of cinema.

-RW

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "silly caucasian director likes to play with samurai movie"
Review: Ok. So that's not EXACTLY what Lucy Liu said in the new super-gory, super-shticky, super-kung-fu-rip-off, super-slick Tarantino film "Kill Bill", but if you want to know what she REALLY says, go see it.

And you really should. If you're 18 or older and accompanied only by people who are not squeamish upon the sight of blood. And when we say blood, we mean several gallons per shot. One truly feels sympathy for whoever had to clean up between takes. Let's just say if it was ketchup, McDonald's would never have to reorder until somewhere around 3042.

Of course, you should be expecting (and i hesitate to say this for fear of repeating every single other reviewer who has had anything to say about this film) what is essentially a parody (homage? spoof? takeoff?) of spaghetti westerns-slash-kung fu movies. Well, now that i've said that (...), and it's probably nothing you didn't already know, I'll move on to my personal feelings about this movie.

I loved it. I loved the pastishe-y feel of the opening credits combined with the fabulous music (a lot of which was taken from movies...the use of the green hornets theme was great) and the eye-popping color and gorgeous shots. Toss in a couple of thousand insider kung-fu jokes that I probably didn't get, but you might, and Monty Python-style hacking of limbs ("it's only a flesh wound!!") and you have KILL BILL.

The plot is so irrelevant it's hilarious...like most kung fu movies, come to think of it. Uma Thurman looks like she's having a blast portraying the traditional revenge-obsessed, student-of-samurai, ex-bad-guy with near-superhero powers. Lucy Liu and the rest of her posse of villains (all with snake-inspired code names, of course) engage with Thurman in some of the bloodiest battle-to-the-death scenes you'll ever see in an American cinema.

Some of this movie is hilarious ...like the bit when Thurman goes to get her sword specially made for her by the master in Japan and orders sake... but most of it is not really laugh out loud funny. Tarantino has an edgy sense of humor to say the least, and this film is his "who cares if you like it, i think it's AWESOME" message to the world.

Some of the best cinematography and marriage of music-to-movie I have EVER seen is right here in this film. Some of the bits will take your breath away with their beauty-- right before someone gets their guts yoinked out of them. I did mention to leave all your squeamish friends at home, correct?
But wait, I most definitely did not spend enough time gushing over how BEAUTIFUL a lot of this movie is. It is VERY beautiful. The last fight between The Bride and O-Ren Ishii (who chops first and asks questions later) is filmed in a magical wintery Japanese garden with anime-style snow.

The stunts equally deserve accolades as Tarantino used incredibly minimal (by today's standards) computer magic. This is the REAL thing...people actually doing stunts instead of the nerd at the computer creating the double-back-flip out of a sequence of 0's and 1's. Just like old school kung fu!

Well, enjoy for what it is...try to pick out some of the private jokes intended for all you B-action-flick junkies...and have a good night at the movies.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: One "Killer" Movie!
Review: Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" was definitely one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year or should I say of the past 6 years. In his "come back" film, his last piece of work was "Jackie Brown (1997)" Tarantino delievers the goods. His fans will be pleased. I've seen all of his films (not like that was a hard thing to do since he's only directed 3) and all 3 have entertained me. I like his off-the-wall style of film-making. He seems to be a "real" movie lover. I don't feel he makes movies just for money. I honestly get the feeling Tarantino does it because he truly loves the idea of telling you a story.

As I understand it Tarantino is paying tribute to Hong Kong action movies, I'm guessing along the lines of Bruce Lee movies. I'm not familiar with those movies at all. In fact I've never seen one in my life. But as I watched "Kill Bill" another movie came to mind. A Francois Truaffut film (something I'm a bit more familiar with) entitled "The Bride Wore Black". It was one of Trauffaut's Hitchcock like films about a a group of assassins who shoot a woman's husband on the day of their wedding. Years later the wife makes a list of the men who committed the crime and goes after them one by one. "Kill Bill" is playing around with the same story. Now I don't know if Tarantino knows about this movie. I don't know if Tarantino even likes Truffaut or has even heard of him. Maybe the story-line to "Kill Bill" is typical of Hong Kong movies. But the one advantage (?) "Kill Bill" has over "The Bride Wore Black" is Tarantino treates the subject in a more tongue and cheek manner. Tarantino knows there's not much of a story here but the movie gets by on its incredible action scenes and the presence of Uma Thurman. Who deserves an Oscar nomination. I'm not sure if she'd get one though because the Academy may think the movie does not deserve to be taken "seriously" which would be a major mistake on their part. Thurman deliver a tour-de-four performance!

If you've enjoyed Tarantino's past works, "Pulp Fiction", "Resevoir Dogs" & "Jackie Brown" you're gonna love this movie. I will say this though, "Kill Bill" is one of the most violent movies I have ever seen. I think it might be Tarantino's most violent. So, if you really have a "weak stomach" I wouldn't suggest you see this. Then again, going into this movie you should expect gore. It is a Tarantino film and it is called "KILL Bill". So keep that in mind before you start to bash the movie and say you don't like it because of the violence. Its there, I know, I cann see, but "Kill Bill" is still an amazing film. It's one of the year's best!

Bottom-line: Quentin Tarantino is back with a bang! After a 6 year break he comes back with a film that is typical of his unusual and totaly "his own" style of film-making. One of the year's best. Fans will love it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: No Doe for Quintin but Mad Props.
Review: Com'on Quintin a racist? Than we all hate Mother Earth! It's about the way things are in the Human Psyche! Kill Bill only reflects our secrete Monsters of the Id. Released uninhibatedly. Like Fist of Fury. The Bride killed members of many colour shades.In fact The Bride showed mercy to many people of colour EXCEPT the Caucasions. Kill Bill gets to the roots of our the stanger in our selves. Not easy to ackowledge but refreshing peice of Film Making.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing. My favorite Tarantino movie.
Review: I usually don't comment on movies on amazon.com but I just got back from seeing Kill Bill: Volume 1 and it is so good that I have to comment.

I loved everything about this movie, from beginning to end (or middle =P) The dialogue was perfect, everything worked, nothing corny. The different styles used in the movie were all awesome, from the black & white scenes, shadow fight scene, the anime sequence (wasn't sure how I'd feel about an anime scene in a live-action movie but it was perfect)

The fight scenes.. Amazing.. Awesome.. Incredible.. nah, not any of those 3 words can describe it, we need to come up with a new word to describe the fight scenes in this movie. The fight with the Crazy 88's towards the end was the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life. So much blood, if you're queasy you might not enjoy this but the movie is so good I'd still suggest you see it anyway!

The soundtrack was excellent. Quentin really knows how to use music in movies, I love the soundtrack to all his films and as usual every song in this movie fits perfectly with the scene.

This is definitely my favorite Tarantino movie, and it's only volume 1!

I seriously cannot wait until February for Volume 2!

...Oh, and did I mention how awesome the fight scenes are?


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