Kill Bill - Volume Two
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Movie Reviews of Kill Bill - Volume Two
Movie Review: Kill Bill Is A Modern Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
STORY: What I love about the second half of Quentin Tarantino's film is that there is so much more insight to it then what he had in the first half. The first half of the film was mainly a downright hardcore satirical look at grindhouse cinema, but in part 2 we get so much more grandiloquence and the dialogue is full of duel meanings. It's funny though because most people will never get anything out of this movie except for an adventure tale of revenge. People will see the movie solely based on Tarantino's name and the idea that "oh, he made Pulp Fiction, that won an Academy Award, hmm this must be good then". There was one scene in the film where something very grotesque happens, probably the most grotesque thing of the second half of the film, but when it happened the group of average teen moviegoers sitting behind me replied with a "that was rough". Sure it was "rough", but the symbolism attached to it is so much more. In another scene in the film David Carradine compares Uma Thurman to Superman. The simile to that was that Superman's costume was not his cape but his alter ego Clark Kent. Superman was born with those cloths and the only reason he is Clark Kent is to blend in with "us". Every other super hero must put on a mask in order to become the super hero, but Superman is a super hero in disguise not a person disguised as a super hero. Probably one of the most meaningful parts of both films is the bride's training with Pei Mei, a humorous caricature of a Chinese Kung Fu master. All the while a humorous spectacle to the literal viewer, it is a meaningful spectacle to the critical viewer. In another scene right before Uma Thurman is burried alive in a coffin the aspect ratio changes from widescreen to fullscreen, the screenshot is just a square showing only Uma lying on the ground as we only hear Budd (Bill's brother) digging her grave, and immediately following that the shot is of her in the coffin and all we hear is Budd burying her. I am so amazed that Tarantino has all this knowledge and all this insight when he never even completed High School, really! The second half overall though is completely different from the first. The tone turns from Akira Kurosawa to almost a hint of Sergio Leone with a dash of. . . well. . . Tarantino. This second part gives us a humorous look at the truths of human nature and the lives we lead, and yes, we finally get to hear the bride's name even though it really doesn't matter and that is why it was bleeped out before. ACTING: My god, David Carradine was so good in this movie. All we saw of him in the first half was his hands, but now we see him in full glory. The acting is so good in this movie expecially Uma Thurman. Even though this is still part of the first half I feel that her performance in the second half was so much more emotional. If Uma wins the Oscar I would not be surprised at all, but that is saying a lot and it is early in the year. The supporting cast is great too and not one role has been miscast or acted badly. When you have a perfect cast it makes for an enjoyable experience something that The Alamo lacked.
BOTTOM LINE: I support the idea of splitting this long epic into two parts because to see them both as one film could actually be too much to handle and cause a brain emergency shutdown. Tarantino gave us the perfect dosage with each half, and it is amazing how well they each stand on their own as two separate films. I still find it hard to believe how a high school dropout managed to make it in this business just by knowing the right people at the right time all while working at a video rental store and ending up a winner of an Academy Award. Quentin Tarantino has made a name for himself. I just hope he doesn't wait another six years before making another film.
Movie Review: Top film of 2004, I guarantee it.
Summary: 5 Stars
In Kill Bill Vol. 1 we saw Quentin Tarantino give us some (...) action. Feeding off of the old kung fu movies and TV shows, he gives rebirth to a genre that has chewed up by recent movies like The Matrix. Despite how well the movie was made, we didn't get too much character development in the first one. We learn who these people are, they're short term goals in certain aspects, and then we see them fight, and the majority of them die in the process.In Kill Bill Vol. 2 we see what surrounds the action of Vol. 1. We learn more about the characters, where they've been, what they've become, and in the end the journey is well worth the turmoil that we felt with the bride to reach the satisfying end.
The movie opens up with The Bride driving down the road describing to the audience what it's taken for her to get to this point, and her plans in the end: "I'm going to kill Bill," she exclaims at the end of her brief monologue. Then we see what really happened at the fateful massacre. This scene actually surprised me, I didn't expect it to start out as it did, but was still brilliantly played out. From there we meet Bill's brother Bud. He used to be a part of the DiVAS, but had a falling out with Bill, and pawned his Hattori sword and became a trailor trash alcoholic who works as a bouncer at a seedy strip club. Michael Madsen does an awesome job with Bud in this movie. He still has the cool grace of his character from Reservoir Dogs, and still almost the same sadistic presence.
To go too much more into the movie would give a lot of the surprise away to this awe-inspiring movie. Some of the best parts I will say are Bill's monologue stories. Originally, Quentin Tarantino wrote the part of Bill for Warren Beatty, but after reading the script Beatty said that Carradine would be better for the part, and too right he was. Carradine brings a sort of mystic/mysterious quality to the role. As he tells the story of Pei Mei before the bride goes for her kung fu training, we feel almost as though he's an old Cherokee tribe story teller telling an ancient story to his tribe. Every so often he stops to play a beautiful melody on his flute. With his metaphoric speech about Superman, we see him as a New Age/Contemporary story teller, drawing us into his story just so we can here the moral of the story. Bill also comes off as a somewhat likable character that you almost feel sorry for when you here his reasoning behind what he did.
Still, though, Uma Thurman is the scene stealer of this movie. Quentin Tarantino always brings out the best performance out of any actor he works with, but he went beyond that with Uma. You feel her anguish, you cry with her, you fear for her, and you want her to come out on top. There's not much I can say about her that doesn't come across in her scene presence in this 2 part movie.
I've heard a lot of people say that QT should have trimmed this movie to make it into one screening, but in all honesty, making a two part movie was brilliant in it's own right. First off, QT is the type of film maker who gets his vision on the screen the first time, unlike some film makers who come back after years of having the perfect film and add stuff to it. Secondly, the twist at the end of vol. 1 wouldn't have been the same if right in the middle of a one piece movie. Also having it in 2 parts adds to the suspense, not to mention it was an awesome marketing ploy, after Vol. 1 you want to know what happens to the characters, you want development so you want to see Vol. 2.
All in all, I think this is one of the greatest movies ever made, although my favorite movie is still Pulp Fiction, I think this two part movie was overall better, and whether you are a QT fan or not, you should see this movie.
Movie Review: At long last...we find out the real name of the Bride
Summary: 5 Stars
First, be sure you stay to watch the end of the film. That means through the credits of the main characters in color and through the black & white credits with the Bride driving and through the long scroll of rolling credits. Even when you get to the film's rating it is not yet time to go, so just sit there until the screen goes bright white. Remember, you were warned.Second, for everybody who thinks that on the basis of "Kill Bill, Volume 1" that they know what is going to happen in "Kill Bill, Volume 2," be ready to be surprised. I made a point of watching the Bride (Uma Thurman) check Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox) and O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) off of her people to kill list before I headed out to theater to see how the saga ended, so I thought I was perfectly in the narrative flow. However, Quentin Tarantino has set up his audience just to play with their minds, which, of course, is what he was doing from the start and at the climax of this film I was not at all sure who, if anyone, was going to come out alive (especially since I was suddenly thinking about the tragic end of "Lone Wolf and Cub").
The caveat when Mirimax decided to split this four-hour revenge film into two volumes was that those who sensed a lack of character development and motivation in Volume 1 would be appeased by what was put forth in Volume 2, and this is indeed the case. We finally get to go back and see a couple of pivotal scenes set before the "beginning" of the film's opening, with not only the massacre at the Two Pines wedding chapel but a training sequence in which the Bride studies with the great Pai Mei (Chia Hui Liu), who will inspire many men to grow long flowing white beards that they can whip around dramatically as a punctuation to everything they say. The net result is that character is more important than killing in the last half of the film, which makes sense because it would really be hard for the Bride to slice and dice more opponents than she did at the House of Blue Leaves.
There are a lot of oppositions between the two halves of this film. The beautiful setting of the duel between the Bride and O-ren in the gentle falling snow is countered by the showdown with Budd (Michael Madsen) in the harsh sunlight of his trailer in the desert. Having devoted an entire chapter to Hattori Hanzo creating his most perfect sword for the Bride, it is amazing how hard it is to get the sword out of its scabbard in this one. Volume 1 was a feast for the eyes, but in Volume 2 Tarantino's dialogue becomes more prominent, although not quite up to the level of "Pulp Fiction." But the dialogue is important because before we get around to the titular business of this film, the Bride and Bill have got to have themselves a conversation. Sound also matters more in this film: there is one sequence that is effectively done in the dark.
I am barely acquainted with the genre of Hong Kong films that Tarantino was apparently weaned on, so everything is fairly new to me and smacks more of homage than parody, which is not doubt the director's intent. I probably will not go out and check out some of the films that inspired Tarantino to do "Kill Bill," because they will undoubtedly pale in comparison to the slicked up version that he is serving for our American palates. All things considered, I have a slight preference for Volume 1, which runs counter to the prevailing sentiments, but I am still working out how the two parts fit together. The key thing is that they do, without Volume 2 being simply more of the same. There is something to be said for Tarantino pulling out all the stops just to have fun.
Movie Review: Kill Bill Volume 2
Summary: 5 Stars
Kill Bill Volume 2 is easily one of the most original stories Ive ever seen. Everywhere I thought this movie was going to go....it didnt. Granted there are violent scenes, revenge filled rampaging fights and plenty of edge of your seat action. What I didnt expect was so much comedy. The actors never played anything for a laugh and I believe thats why it translated so well. The black and white cinematography ranks up there with some of the best ever, plus the camera movement was unreal. They used plenty of really neat pan shots. They always had the camera moving at very pleasing angles that went hand in hand with the telling of the story and at times the unfolding of the story as when the camera balances out other people or objects come into frame.The fight between Elle Driver and The Bride is one of the most memorable fight scenes ever, if not the best. Just really orignial concepts provided by the Yuen Wo Ping Fight Team who deserve some sort of award for their helping revive a rebirth in the genre let alone spawning movies such as the Matrix etc. Also deserving praise is Uma Thruman who easily gave her best performance to date. Wow is all that can be said. She was funny, vulnerable and [great action packed] all at the same time, and extremely [good looking]. I really see this as a femlae empowerment film no matter what critics say. What other film has made such [an action] woman character besides Foxy Brown, Coffy or La Femme Nikita. Her emotional range as an actress seems to be exceptional now, possibly because of being a mother (some say as a parent you have many new experiences to draw on as an actress). Well no matter why, Uma deserves a nod this time around. I cant see a woman putting in a better performance this year and Im not really into the whole commercial film thing. She really was amazing going from crying to laughing to crying and smiling to just plaind balling her eyes out.
Look for Gorgon Liu once again this time playing Pai Mei the abbott. He really cracked everyone up in the theatre with his comical take on the abbott character from the famous golden age Shaw Brothers martial arts flicks. He looked like he was cut right out of the Master of the Fatal Flying Guillotine.
Also this film boasts the most amazing soundtrack since, well Pulp Fiction. Its way better then Part One. It kept perfect stride with the film bringing us up and down. A really fun cd im sure. Finally Ill priase who deserves all the credit in the world, QT. Thank you for giving us pure escapist fun at the perfect time. Its obvious he loves this genre way more then even the hardcore addicts I know do and that is so welcome in today's film industry where producers call the shots. You can tell this series is his baby. For all the heat he took for the "4th film by QT"(wink wink) this is really an achievement. The writing is much closer to the famous quirky QT dialogue weve all come to know and love. During the screener someone said to hurry up during a dialogue scene which got a great response of "ugh!" and "Are you kidding me!" from people you wouldnt expect it from. Id say that means its a success as he settled back down and then started laughing (...). Congrats to Tarantino for creating a film I wish Id have made. Even more respect goes to the fact that before the credits rolled not only did David Carradines name get a standing ovation but so did O-Ren Ishii and Uma, and if that wasnt enough he gave the credit of creating the bride to Q&U. Now thats a great filmmaker, a great friend, and a great movie. Thanks. 5 stars!!
Movie Review: The epic is now complete
Summary: 5 Stars
I was lucky last year in that I got to see Kill Bill volume 1 weeks before it was released last year. I thought it was one of the greatest things I've ever seen on film and went on to see it eight times in theaters. I even chose it as the best film of 2003. Surpassing even the mighty Lord of the Rings. Something I thought would never happen. Me being a big Lord of the Rings fan.So with such high praise for volume 1 my hopes were very high for volume 2. And it more than delivers. Where volume 1 focused more on the action and was fast paced. This one is at a slower pace and is more dialogue driven. Which is what Tarantino does best anyway. At approximately two and a half hours it is also a lot longer than the first one. Don't worry though Kill Bill volume 2 is not without it's share with great fight scenes and memorable new characters. The most memorable is Pei Mei the martial arts master who trained the bride and the other members of the Dead Viper Assassination Squad. Played wonderfully by Gordon Liu (who also played Johnny Mo in volume 1) Pei Mei even over shadows the mighty Hattori Hanzo played by Sonny Chiba in volume 1.
Other memorable performances come from Michael Madsen as Budd a.k.a Sidewinder and David Carradine as Bill. Madsen gives another Mr. Blonde caliber performance as the former assassin turned trailer park alcoholic. Claustrophobics take caution the confrontation between Budd and the Bride is really intense and very claustrophobic. Darryl Hannah is deliciously evil as Elle Driver. She's about as evil as can be. What should be noted is the fight between Elle and the Bride. What is unquestionably one of the most knock down, drag out, intense fights ever put to film. Tarantino pulls no punches here. Huge credit should once again be given to the sound department on this one. You can almost feel ever blow. It is the best fight in the whole of Kill Bill.
Never seen and only heard in volume 1 we finally get to see the performance we've been waiting for. David Carradine is of course great in the title role. He plays the role with such a laid back ease. Both intimidating and cool. You don't know whether to sympathize with the guy or hate him.
Those who said Uma Thurman deserved an Oscar nomination last year will probably say the same thing this year and then some. Where Thurman was praised for the intense action in volume 1, in this one she really goes all out. No longer a nameless assassin out for revenge she is now with a name (to be revealed in the film) and is now seen more as a person then a nameless killer. Not that the nameless killer thing was a bad thing. It was a great action role. This time the emotions come out. Thurman really lets herself go in the emotional scenes. Well worthy of a nomination.
So is Kill Bill volume 2 a worthy conclusion? Absolutely. Is it as action packed as volume 1? No. But that's not a bad thing because we get more of the great Tarantino dialogue. Was there anything I found wrong with the film? Well, there was one little thing. The credits go on forever. So if your like me and you like to sit through the credits you've been warned. Kill Bill volume 2 will not be without it's enemies. Those who didn't like volume 1 will probably not enjoy this one. If you're a fan of volume 1 then you should be more then satisfied.
Matt Putnam
April 02, 2004