A Yellow and Black Attack!

Quentin Tarantino's new film makes the act of revenge seem like a profound and noble cause. It works in the same way that 'Pulp Fiction' did, back in 1994, by making us sympathize with some very shady individuals. In the world that the characters inhabit, there is a separate morality, a different set of rules, and a code of conduct that initially seems like utter lunacy, but becomes logical and natural within the context of the story.

Tarantino has the ability to suck us into his bizarre & imaginary world. He does it with mesmerizing originality and a flare for storytelling that is unparalleled by other directors of this era. 'Kill Bill' just might be one of the most violent films ever made but, in a strange way, it all seems perfectly acceptable coming from Quentin. We allow him to show us things on screen that would be horrific in anyone else's hands. We allow it because we know what a brilliant filmmaker he is. And because of that brilliance, we trust that, under all the excess blood and gore, there must be something more interesting and meaningful lurking on the screen. I think that 'Kill Bill' is an homage to the Kung Fu genre and the Spaghetti-Westerns that influenced QT growing up. I also think it is an exercise in pure action filmmaking and unadulterated directorial fun. I think it is intended to be profoundly silly, profoundly crazy and profoundly entertaining. But at the heart of the film, I think there lies a simple and profound message about the natural human instinct of seeking justice through the act of revenge. No one, except for Tarantino, could have directed this particular movie.

To give a detailed plot summary would be insane. It is as simple as this... Uma Thurman plays 'The Bride' a.k.a. Black Mamba, a former member of the 'Deadly Viper Assassination Squad'. On her wedding day, she is shot in the head and left for dead along with the entire wedding party. The group responsible for this act is the aforementioned 'Assassination Squad' consisting of O-Ren Ishii a.k.a. Cottonmouth (Lucy Liu), Vernita Green a.k.a. Copperhead (Vivica A. Fox), Budd a.k.a. Side Winder (Michael Madsen), Elle Driver a.k.a. California Mountain Snake (Daryl Hannah), and Bill (David Carradine). However, 'The Bride' survives the massacre and wakes up, after four years in a coma, with one thing on her mind... revenge. And she will stop at absolutely nothing to have it.

If you are chuckling to yourself right now... that is kind of the point. This film is almost cartoonish (but in a good way) with its plot, its character names, its look and feel. Heck... there is even an extended anime sequence in the middle of the film. Everything in 'Kill Bill' bounces off of the screen with excess energy and color. Only Paul Thomas Anderson can lay claim to being as visually exuberant a director as Quentin Tarantino. It is certifiably impossible to be bored during this film. Dizzy, maybe. Grossed out, maybe. But not bored.

However, I do have a minor complaint about the pacing and editing in this movie. I believe that Tarantino's hand was forced a little in this regard because of the following...

Some people have voiced their displeasure with the splicing of the film into two parts (Volume 2 will be released in Feb 2004). Miramax has said they did not do it for monetary gain, although that is clearly not true because they haven't sent me a free pass for Volume 2 yet. QT said he felt that the film worked better this way. I disagree.

I am reasonably sure that, if left untouched, the full version would have been about 3 hours long. I am also pretty sure that Miramax felt that this was too long for the average moviegoer who gets antsy after their oversized popcorn runs out. What we have instead are two films that will each be about 1 hour and 50 minutes long. I think they stuck some filler into both films so that the splice looks more necessary than it actually was. As a result, the first film has some parts that seem very un-Tarantino like... a lingering shot here and there... a scene that goes on a tad too long... etc.

I would have preferred one long film, with an intermission (As he had originally planned). However, if there are going to be two films... they should be edited in the same way they would have if it were seen as a whole. Who cares if they are each only 90 minutes long? Apparently Miramax cares... they didn't want to be seen like a money hungry studio. But we can all see past the pretense.

In closing, I must say that this was a thoroughly enjoyable trip to the theatre. It kept me entertained throughout and left me craving for more with a magnificent cliffhanger. How devious was that final line of dialogue?

'Kill Bill' is a magnificent addition to the Tarantino collection. It will almost assuredly contend for my year-end Top Ten List. I can't wait for 'Volume 2' and I truly hope it isn't another six years before Tarantino works again.

© Written by TC Candler

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - A Richard Propes - B+ Jacob Hall - A

Richard Propes' Comment

This film is graphic, intense and yet never quite becomes offensive. The violence, while graphic, is never done in such a way that it becomes jarring. One could argue that this, in itself, is offensive...yet, I admire a filmmaker who can create a film almost entire about violence without crossing the line into offensive exploitation.

Uma Thurman is magnificent here, along with Vivica Fox and Lucy Liu. With my long history of child advocacy, I found myself expecting to be grossly offended by the scenes between Thurman, Fox and Fox's young child in the film. Yet, the way the scene was filmed was an incredible combination of action, revenge, justice and authenticity...It rang of such truth that it didn't feel exploitative, and, thus, I didn't find myself offended by it. Liu, in the first role I've ever enjoyed her in, was a find as Cottonmouth...the closing scenes of confrontation were simply outstanding, and far surpassed anything seen in the Matrix films.
 

Jacob Hall's Comment

I was impressed to the max with every aspect of the film. QT's direction is stylish and beautiful, and Uma Thurman is now my favorite actress: she is hilarious, daring, and so fun to watch that she deserves an Oscar nomination for her performance. Speaking of the Oscar: Tarantino's script and direction deserve nominations, and the cinematography and editing are very, very impressive.

One of the most important storytelling techniques in all of Tarantino's films have been music. In "Kill Bill," the music serves as the films soul; the musical selection fits every frame it is played over and I couldn't help but getting chills every time I heard the music start up.

Every negative review I have read for this has compared it to "Pulp Fiction." They are not supposed to be anything alike and comparing them is ridiculous.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of Tarantino, action films, or great cinema, "Kill Bill" is the movie for you. It is also the best of 2003.