Revenge is a dish best served cold

Rating: 10/10 (22 June 2009)

Tarantino was always a huge movie buff. People complain that his pieces are unoriginal... which, if you fail to take into account what he does with the material, I suppose is a legitimate observation. But as a point of criticism? The man has not claimed that he sets out to create something in no way seen before, when he directs. Anyone who claims that their own work is in no way inspired by someone else's is a liar or in denial. This one makes no secret about where he gets his ideas. Show me a single film of his that does nothing more than remake anything recent and/or mainstream, and I shall consider changing my opinion. He makes homages. Tips of the hat to the genres and the flicks he loves the most. This one is another, and yet again, we are in for a treat. He's got us in such an effective grip, that for a lot of this, we viewers are at his mercy. And he delivers fantastic shocks and surprises. You'll never know exactly what will happen, or when or, for that matter, how. This is undoubtedly the bloodiest and the one with the strongest brutal visuals of what he's done. It has absurdity, and has definite funny moments. The choreography is excellent. All in the name of doing 'wuxia', or Chinese martial arts on the big screen of the 1970's. Not having seen one myself, I can't comment on how he does. Nonetheless, I can imagine he nailed it. He fit some Western influence into it, as well, without it ever feeling out of place. The dialog is marvelous, and the delivery spot-on. All of the writing is masterful. As a story about getting back at those who have done the greatest evil against the protagonist, this is incredible. The acting is perfect. Editing and cinematography are tight, and sharp as a Hattori Hanzo. The story-telling is smooth, with the usual non-linear time-line working impeccably well. This and Vol. 2 are quite different, and both are fantastic in their own way. In this one, the action is plentiful and awesome. The music is beyond reproach. On the DVD is a half-hour or so featurette that I will review on its specific page, five minutes of uninterrupted performance by the 5-6-7-8's, and finally, a trailer for each of the following: Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, this and its other half. I recommend this for any fan of his, Thurman's or of the craft. 10/10