Rating: 
Summary: Elle and I...
Review: It's hard to say whether Volume 1 or Volume 2 is more enjoyable. Someday in the near future, I hope to own the Complete Kill Bill Special Edition DVD collection. Or maybe Tarantino will edit the whole thing together into one movie as it was originally planned. Anyway, both films can stand by themselves. True, there isn't a fight sequence in this film as monumental as The Bride fighting all of the Crazy 88's, but her fight sequence with Darryl Hannah (entitled provocatively, "Elle and I") will leave a lasting impression.In the first film, we were left to infer things without getting all the information. We never even actually "saw" Bill. However, we formed certain expectations about him. This film succeeds in confounding those expectations. The film sequence turns out to be surprisingly poignant. Of course, there is great Tarantino dialogue here as well - I didn't think anyone would come up with anything fresh to say on the subject of Superman, but he does. All in all, this is an incredibly fun ride.
Rating: 
Summary: Bloody Awful
Review: Kill Bill Vol. 1 was a smart and extremely well-crafted film. The dialogue was engaging, the script was tightly-knit, and the characters were memorable. Vol. 2 continues where the last film left off, but much of the energy and excitement that was present in its predecessor is now absent, replaced with borish conversations and lackluster action sequences. Tarrantino used all his creative talent on Vol. 1 and left nothing for Vol. 2. One of my favorite things about Kill Bill Vol. 1 was the witty comparison of eastern and western cultures. Tarrantino threw in some wild curveballs for his dedication to eastern cinema and art, including a Japanese band that played American Rock 'N Roll, a deadly assassin donning the cliche Japanese schoolgirl outfit, and even an anime cartoon in the middle of his movie! Vol. 2 was really much different in that it had more of a spaghetti western theme to it. I'm not automatically saying that this idea hurt Vol. 2, but it simply did not seem that as much thought and care were placed into the project. Even the set designs and costumes were below normal Tarrantino quality. The biggest letdown about Vol. 2 was the poor character development, something that Vol. 1 was exceptionally good at. In Kill Bill Vol. 1 we see that although Vernita Green and O'Ren Ishii are vicious killers, they actually have some compassion and soul in them. For example, we know that Vernita Green really loves her daughter, and O'Ren's sense of honor gives her a noble quality. However, in Vol. 2, we know almost nothing new about Elle Driver, the one-eyed nurse. Instead, we get two chapters focusing on Budd, the least engaging member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. Bill turns out to be a boring old man, and not the ruthless murderer that we were led on to believe from Vol. 1. Quite possibly the only good thing that came out of Vol. 2 was the introducing of Pai Mei, the long-browed mentor of the Bride. No Sophie, no Gogo, no Crazy 88's, not even Buck! In short, what you have here are two different films: Vol. 1 was more of the straight action film, while Vol. 2 tried to develop the plot and wrap up the story. What upset me the most was not that Vol. 2 had so few fight sequences, but that they were such piss poor fight sequences. It wasn't an action film, which is what I paid to go and see! And not only that but Tarrantino could not find creative ways to finish off Budd, Elle Driver, and even Bill. But what can I say, if you enjoyed the first half, you're almost certainly going to have to witness the conclusion for yourself. 2 stars out of 5. Kill Bill Vol. 2 is nothing but a dull blade, whilst its predecessor slashed its way into becoming one of the most memorable movies in recent years. A weak followup in terms of story and overall style. -the enlightened one
Rating: 
Summary: A rush of pure adrenaline and fun
Review: Kill Bill: Volume 2 is a film entirely separate from Quentin Tarantino's first installment: restrained where the other was excessive; introspective where the other relied on a glossy surface; and character-driven where the other relied on extended fight sequences. Volume 1 was not a bad film, but it was a B-movie, no matter how expertly executed. In Volume 2, Tarantino returns to A-level form, approaching though not reaching the heights of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown. His lightning-fast pacing is back, as is his gift for edgy and funny dialogue. This is an example of a very rare gem: a crowd-pleaser that is also a very good movie. The Bride (Uma Thurman) has already killed dozens upon dozens of evildoers as the film begins. Still left on her handy checklist of death are Budd (Michael Madsen), Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), and of course Bill (David Carradine). The first sequence transports us back in time to the bloody wedding that never was, making disturbingly clear just why The Bride has murder on her mind. Bill, thanks to a tremendous performance by Carradine, is a fully realized and fascinating character right from the start: at once seemingly wise as he plays a long wooden flute and wraithy, speaking in a whispery hiss. Madsen and Hannah are both very strong as the last two living members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (DiVAS). Budd, in particular, feels doom impending on his desolate trailer home after a meeting with Bill. "This woman, she deserves her revenge. And we deserve to die," he says. But he doesn't plan to give up without a fight, putting The Bride into one of many potentially fatal situations. Elle, still wearing that mysterious eye patch (it is explained), may be the most devious of all. Apparently an expert on snakes, she reads a dissertation on the black mamba as a writhing victim lies dying on the floor. Besides her Hanzo sword, we also learn why The Bride is such a dangerous combatant. She was trained by Pai Mei, a legendary warrior with a rotten attitude and a long white beard that he flips incessantly. He is also the master of the dreaded Five-Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique. This maneuver consists of a blow to the chest that, upon his walking just five steps, makes the receiver's heart explode. This mid-movie, 20-minute sequence might be the highlight, blending comedy with the mystical back-story we crave. Pai Mei is hilarious, Tarantino's campy love letter to every cantankerous teacher known to kung fu cinema. And, it is not giving away too much to mention that the Five-Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique plays a big role in the film's finale--the most flawless 30 seconds of artistry seen this year. Apart from Pai Mei, there are numerous top-notch sequences in Kill Bill: Volume 2 where it is readily apparent one is watching the work of a master filmmaker. In one case, The Bride is buried alive. We feel as though we're trapped inside that coffin with her, as the rumble of dirt crashing onto the lid echoes through the darkened cinema. The best fight sequence in the film, maybe even both films, comes during the final confrontation between The Bride and Elle. It is short and intense, never losing the audience's full attention (as the endless culminating fight eventually did in Volume 1), and wraps up with a single moment that had the whole theatre cheering. Such an accomplishment cannot be overstated, since Elle is really a peripheral character. Overlength is the single factor that mars this film, which in a way is totally unexpected. Some of Tarantino's very best work runs about 150 minutes, and every second is worthwhile. Here, running about 135 minutes, the climax is nearly 40 minutes long and really feels protracted. Perhaps this does reflect some weakness in The Bride and Bill as characters, since it would be enjoyable to listen to Jackie Brown, Max Cherry or Jules Winnfield converse all day long. The dialogue between them here is strong, and it is hard to even pinpoint what deserves to be cut, but the breakneck pace really screeches to a halt right when excitement should be hitting a crescendo. Nevertheless, take five, ten, or 15 steps to see Kill Bill: Volume 2. It's is a Five-Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique caliber rush of pure adrenaline and fun. Final Grade: A-
Rating:
Summary: Baby, you ain't kidding...
Review: Only Quentin pulled out this wonderful ending.
With Carradine gave this punch-line "Baby, you ain't kidding" before the grand final battle. It almost killed me with laughing but Quentin didn't give me enough time enjoy it, he threw in the sword-fight and fist-fight immediately. Luckily for me, I watched DVD so I could rewind it. ;-)
And the conversation between Thurman and Carradine is masterfully written in both the living room and patio.
I believe Quentin could pull out Kill Bill 3 and Kill Bill 4 as well as Kill Bill Episo One easily.
Carradine's act is favorite one since Tommy Lee Jones in MIB when he bought the Tabloid at the counter and when he accepted the drink offer from the lady at the farm house. So funny and so professional. ;-)
A few points I observed from this movie:
1) 2 seemingly unrelated scenes: killing Bill and killing Elle. We know Kiddo would kill Bill at the end but how? The whole 2 movies revolving around the Hanzo's sword. Then it had been what we all anticipated. Then Kiddo poked out Elle's last eye after Kiddo questioned Elle about the first lost eye (Mei Pei did it). I could not realize it until now that it was an introduction to the ultimate technique that he taught her. And she kept it secretly so that she could use on Bill at the end. (See human complexity below.)
2) Long fight between Bill and Kiddo: we all waited to see a long violent fight between them. It didn't happen but it DID happen. The whole 2 movies are about how Bill tried to kill Kiddo violenly but unsuccessfully. Then he stacked up the killers to stop her.
3) Bill did not want to kill Kiddo: he stopped Elle when she was about to kill Kiddo in the hospital in the first movie. He could just kill her by gun when they were in the living. Or ordered Budd to terminate Kiddo. And so on.
4) Bill is a complex person: He admitted he was a murdering bastard. He confessed he was so upset when he felt betrayed by Kiddo. He took on the job of single-dad. He didn't try to kill Kiddo after the first time, he just tried to stop her from killing him.
5) Quentin deleted one very good scene: I guessed the blood flowing was so "ridiculous" to even Quentin's standard. ;-) But on the first movie, he showed Lucy Liu with half of her brain exposed... ;-) What a sicko! ;-) (Great job, man!) And Thurman looked the best in that deleted scene. Wow!
6) It's about a love story: At the end, Kiddo and Bill still had feeling for each other.
7) Quentin admitted that the whole movie is almost all about Bill. His purpose is for the generation after Kung Fu will remember Carradine as Bill, not as Kwai Chang Caine.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good, but way overrated
Review: The Bride (Uma Thurman) completes her mission to kill Bill (David Carradine), dispatching a few other obstacles along the way. This film is quieter than the first, much to its detriment. Volume 1 managed to overcome writer/director Quentin Tarantino's directorial gimmicks and stilted dialogue during its many inspired action scenes. Here, the gimmicks remain but there is less action to redeem it. Something in me still responds to his characters, but I think Tarantino is well on his way to being the most overrated director of our time. The long, geeky speeches that seemed fresh in "Pulp Fiction" are tipping over the border into self-parody. With all the critical and popular success he is enjoying, there is no reason to expect him to restrain himself in the future.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate cathartic experience.
Review: The story of Kill Bill blends all elements of great storytelling and moviemaking into an original and enthralling emotional roller coaster that doesn't let go and can be almost draining. At least, that is what I have found. Indeed, it's not a movie you can just watch at any old moment, or too soon again afterward, or view lightly. And I can't put on Volume 1 without seeing it through to completion within a short time. It takes a very special kind of film to have this sort of effect on me personally, and I find these two halves of a whole film to be just the right type; therefore I heartily recommend them to all who consider watching it but haven't yet. It's heavy, high-powered, charged, and flows from one monumental scene to another almost without consideration for the viewer. And superb quotes? There are too many to count. All in all, utterly brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: Tarantino is still the best
Review: This two-parter is the best thing Tarantino has done since Pulp Fiction. My wife hated the first part last year, so I had to go to this one with some like-minded friends, and we loved it. We know now that the Bride's real name is Beatrix Kiddo (nice bit of tongue-in-cheek) and Umas Thurman long, lanky style fits the role perfectly. Michael Madsen is terrific as Bill's brother, Budd. And David Caradine is an instant classic as Bill. Again, Tarantino builds great individual scenes, including the last fight between Beatrix and Elle (Daryl Hannah), the black mamba bit, Bill's analysis of comic book superhero character-types, and the entire burial alive chapter. My friends felt a bit cheated that the showdown between the Bride and Bill wasn't a cataclysmic samurai sword scene, but I thought the rather understated Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique was a perfect, unexpected Tarantino ending.
Rating:
Summary: Taichi - the second part of an epic
Review: To my surprise, Kill Bill Vol.2 is so different from its Vol.1, although I know they are two non-sepearable parts of ONE story. It is almost like the exact opposite of Vol.1, like Yin and Yang of Taichi. But when they both add together, it makes the whole so complete, so perfect. Kill Bill Vol. 1 is very violent, gallons of blood, torn apart body parts, Japanese anime, and a little little bit of random story telling. Kill Bill Vol. 2 is action with more fist fight, more Tarantino-ish dialogue (the Superman theory by Bill), and more acting (esp. for David and Uma). The two pieces add together to represent ALL the necessary style and elements from Tarantino. As a fan from Hong Kong, I would like to add that Pai Mei is really talking in Cantonese, and the way the part when Uma was trained under Pai Mei is really the style we Hong Kong film-maker do in 70s - you can check any Bruce Lee films - poor resolution, sudden zoom up to the fact to emphasize the facial expression, etc. In the cinema in Hong Kong, many many viewers were laughing at this chapter. Also, the plot about a person training for a special shot (Five Point Palm, etc), training on a hill in front of a master, and go downhill after graduation for revenge is a traditional and classic plot for many many martial art movies and fictions. This proves Tarantino is a really fan of Hong Kong movies. A very good movie.....do not miss it.....also wait until the end of credit to see a blooper scene from Vol. 1 about Uma.
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