My new favourite film... must go and watch it again.... (Kill Bill Vol. 2 (DVD))

Member Name: Charliewhippet

Product:	Kill Bill Vol. 2 (DVD)
Date:	15/05/09 (158 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Awesome action, suspense and lots of surprises

Disadvantages: All the movie references may make your head spin

(I've actually reviewed both Kill Bill films here; it just makes more sense to me that way, as it's essentially all one long continuation of the same movie, rather than a sequel. So apologies for the references to the first volume!)

What is is about this film? So long it had to be packaged into two volumes, so violent that 450 gallons of fake blood were used, it doesn't really "sound" like the kind of film I would enjoy. Yet whenever I start watching it, I have to see it right through to the end, and as soon as it's finished, I want to see it again. Strange power this Mr Tarantino has.

I'm a borderline Quentin fan - while I recognise that he is a fantastically talented writer and director, and gets "cool" like virtually no other film maestro working today, I tend to get turned off by the sadistic nature of his violence and the profanity of his scripts. Yes, a lot of his dialogue is fast and witty, but I actually get BORED with his repetitive use of certain swearwords. Really, if you pick ANY word and say it 100 times in 5 minutes, it's guaranteed to get old.

Kill Bill is different. There is swearing, there is violence, but somehow I barely notice it, as I spend the entire time on the edge of my seat, eyes goggling at the incredible feats being performed, stomach churning at the suspense.. you get the idea.

I don't want to describe the entire plot frame by frame as this would spoil the storyline. Basically all you need to know is that Uma Thurman plays "The bride" - the victim of a massacre at the chapel on her wedding day. Miraculously, she has survived (just) and, once awakened from her coma, goes to avenge her "death" - by killing every person involved in the shootout before finally coming after Bill, the man behind it all.

As they are all trained assassins, this is even harder than is sounds - they are all evenly matched and prepared for the unexpected at all times.

One of the things in this film which people may love and hate in equal measure is the fact that it bears no relation to reality., I know action films rarely do, but this one makes no attempt to pretend these things are feasible. The bride travels on a plane with her sword, people do incredible stunts, and outrageous things happen. (I want to tell you some of the things, but it would spoil it for you, and you wouldn't believe me anyway.) I personally think this is all part of the fun, but I know it irritates a lot of viewers.

There is a lot of humour - sometimes because the things that happen are so unbelievable that you just have to laugh - but also when two fighting women take a break to hide their actions from an innnocent small child, and when one assassin offers her congratulations on another's pregnancy before retreating.

Quentin Tarantino, feminist? A lot of the killing in this film is done by women, and much of the human side comes from relationships that women have with each other, which can transcend the business of killing. It's not often that an action film is based solely on one woman, and these kind of "avenge a death" stories are mostly written for men.

Somehow, I find Uma Thurman's (mainly nameless) character very inspiring. Thankfully, my life is far from hers, in that I don't have to fight scores of sword fighters, but I can't help but admire the way she is so single mindedly determined. It doesn't matter that she is just one person, or that her task seems impossible, or that she is hurt badly enough to be left for dead more than once. She will not admit defeat. She will not give up. Like "24" character Jack Bauer, she isn't going to sit around and question the morality of killing. It has to be done, so she will do it. Even if, ultimately, it hurts her. (The fact that is "has" to be done only as a point of honour is irrelevant!)

The movie itself is like a masterclass in directing. Not only does Mr Tarantino create a main character that we really care about (i can't be the only person who cries a little bit at the end?!) but the story is suspenseful and satisfying, and the action sequences are nothing short of sublime. I haven't watched many of those old martial arts movies (I'm not that cool) but having seen this, I now want to. The amount of homage and tributes to other films is incredible to behold. References include Bruce Lee and Jet Li movies, Westerns, 1970s horror, Ironside, Star trek, and the Green hornet - as well as numerous Japanese, Chinese and Korean movies. (And of course, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir dogs!) All those years working in the video store have really paid off.

See this movie and be mesmerised, and inspired to watch MORE FILMS!

Summary: Uma kicks ass.