The Kill Bill Experience - Sex~Kitten.net

Well, in all honesty, I had previously seen some of Tarantino's directing - an ER episode, called 'Motherhood', shown in 1994. No, I didn't remember that, it showed up in a search, and since I am trying to be honest in the review & my feelings on Tarantino, I include this tidbit. I remember the episode well enough, and was then a huge ER fan, so I guess Tarantino did well enough, but this is not a review of ER or Tarantino in general, so let me get on with it.

Anyway, I was goaded into seeing Kill Bill & to offer a review. Seemed an unlikely task as I am not a fan of violence, film or not, and let's be honest, Kill Bill was promoted as violent, and isn't that Tarantino's calling card? At least that was my perception, and why I never went to see one of his flicks before.

But, I took the challenge.

We rented the DVD. We turned down the lights, sat with our surround sound, awaiting the film. And I, to be honest, settled in trying not to hate it too much. I did try to keep an open enough mind so that I could write something more than 'save your money.'

But then a funny thing happened: By the end of the movie, I was panting to see Kill Bill 2.

So, two days later, there we were, in the theatre, with me too eager for the film to begin.

Those who claim 'disappointment' with Part Two are missing the point. Or just in love with violence. Maybe both.

Both of which are sad.

In Part Two, the story does continue in shallower pools of blood, but with a deeper enlightenment. Just as the violence in those old kung-fu movies was supposed to carry a message of 'the path,' the honor of the warrior, Kill Bill 2 focuses on the path & honor of The Bride. Sure, there is still violence. Sure, there is still some ass-kickin'. But it is at this point we are, at least this reviewer hopes, able to root The Bride on for more than just blood lust.

Huh? How'd we skip the review of One & end up at Two? Just put it down to mimicking the style of Tarantino, who mixes up the chronological order, but never the message of the story. My message: Rent Kill Bill, then plunk the money down for a ticket at the theatre to see Kill Bill 2. You won't regret it.

In Part One the over-the-top violence (complete with fountains of red blood, anime, and other visual cues to comic book violence), is the beginning of the well-crafted story. I can't say it isn't a violent movie, but since it is so unrealistic, so over the top, you can only react to it as a comic book rendering, and then watch for more of the storyline & character development. Part one, for all it's violence, still crafts the story.

Carefully woven details, artful homage to past genres, all masterfully edited for direct hits at audience emotions & reactions.

Those who failed to see the magnificent story-telling, who complained of 'lack of bloody fights' in Part Two, are just not worthy to be called 'Grasshopper.'

Tarantino is as much a master of direct hits at storytelling as The Bride is with her hands.

By now, you know I hate spolier reviews, so let me just tell you a few high points that don't ruin the plot:

Moment I Was Hooked: "The baby's your(BANG)s." (roll opening credits) Yes, right from there.

Pop Culture: Too many to list really. The whole story & presentation is an ode to films gone by... My favorites are the nods to Hannie Caulder, Film Noir, and yes, the classic Kung-Fu flicks.

Daryll Hannah Daryll Hannah never looked or acted better. Honestly, I never have been a Hannah fan: #1, she has always looked like a man in drag to me, and I have never seen her in a movie that was worthy of remembrance... Ell, however, will remain memorable. Yes, she will live on, like all the characters will in my mind, but perhaps she will return to the screen as well...

Jump on The Pussy Wagon, and get copies of the soundtracks too.

Not only were the movies great, but the music was unbelievable. A combination of creepy classics, such as Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) by Nancy Sinatra & About Her by Malcolm McLaren, as well as dialog from the flicks -- too cool not to have!

Kill Bill: Volume 2 & Kill Bill: Volume 1 are both available at Amazon.

My Rating: Buy the DVDs & CD soundtracks - any & all that you can.

(Tarantino promises more extensive DVD plans for the revenge films. "I'm going to do a special collector's edition of both of them once I'm finished with both of them," he said. Also in the talking phase, Tarantino is considering the possibility of releasing stand-alone supplemental discs. "One of the things that I saw that I liked... was what the American Pie guys did with their 'Beneath the Crust' documentaries. I want to do the same thing [for Kill Bill].")