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KILL
BILL: VOLUME 1
AKA:
Kill Bill: Vol. One
Year:
2003 Reviewer: Scott
Napier
The
king of the hard-hitting violent bloodshed genre Quentin
Tarantino returns to film-making after a long seven year
hiatus to make his 4th and classic movie 'Kill Bill'.
Introducing regular Tarantino actress Uma Thurman to take the
leading role, the result? A fine tribute in everyway to story,
action, actors and settings who made the genre come to life! I
can't say much else but of all Tarantino's films, this has to
be the best!
This
is the first of two (so far) parts of the 'Kill Bill' series.
Miramax/Tarantino originally planned to broadcast the story
into one film but once it was made, they decided to split the
film into two parts over concerns of running time or just to
make another buck or two. This, of course is the first. The
second one is a disappointment in my opinion and lacks what it
could have been. Rumoured however, Quentin is planning to make
the third and last one which is said to continue on from
Volume One's characters.
'The
Bride' (Uma Thurman) is gunned down at her wedding by former
boss 'Bill' (David Carradine's Hand) and the rest of the
'Deadly Viper Assassination Squad' members in a small wedding
Chapel in 'El Paso', Texas. 4 years after, she wakes up from
her long coma and swears revenge for her and unborn child...
This
is a classic, probably one of the best films to come out of
the West representing Japanese and Chinese Cinema. Although
plot elements are hardly new, Quentin as a Westerner deserves
a lot of praise to direct a Japanese action film! For those
who are wondering if he uses his usual style of
action-violence apparent in his other movies 'Pulp Fiction'
and 'Reservoir Dogs', then the answer is yes but this is why
it lives up to it's reputation.
Very
noticeable that Tarantino pays tribute to a number of stars
and films who made Asian cinema what it is today including
Shaw Brothers legend 'Gordon Liu' and Japanese action
favourite 'Sonny Chiba'. He even invited legendary Yuen Woo
Ping (director of 'Wing Chun' and Magnificent Butcher') to be
action choreographer but compared to his other films in HK,
this may not be his best work but he has made his name in the
West with other films 'Iron Monkey' and 'The Matrix' already
so it isn't a 'failure'! Regardless I respect Woo Ping's work
and to fans of Hong Kong Cinema/Matrix trilogy, this has to be
seen!
Tarantino's
famous for making violent movies (including this one) and this
resulted in the 'MPAA' (in the US) requiring edits and the
'Black and White' effect in some parts of the end finale of
'Volume One' to tone down the violence. As of now, most
versions around the world have broadcast the movie with the
changes. Not only that, before it was released in the UK the
BBFC had concerns about the film and lacked it somewhat.
Tarantino in his opinion said that he wanted everyone to see
the film.
Usual
Tarantino violence but with Yuen Woo Ping, it is the ultimate
Western revenge movie! Tarantino's career in directing Martial
Arts/action films based on other movies seems very promising!
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