Tarantino just gets better and better

Rating: 9/10 (2 June 2005)

Quentin Tarantino has always claimed to love Japanese films and watching his prior works reflects this, only now has he completely taken the genre he loves and given it the Hollywood treatment and it really works. The Japanese cartoon sequence, in particular, showing the history of O-Ren was beautifully done and a lovely tribute to the culture that Tarantino owes the influence for the film. Throughout the films are various other acknowledgements and references to the Japanese film industry.
Uma Thurman, whom I never really have liked much, completely won me over with her performance as The Bride. She was all too aware that she had been cast as the 'superhero' and relished in it and clearly had fun living up to all stereotypes.
The fight choreography in this film was amazing, totally convincing and thrilling to watch. The scene in which The Bride takes out the entire Crazy 88 is breathtaking, the choreographer must have spent ages working that out and the final product is worth the price of admission in itself.
Someone who caught my eye in this film was Chiaki Kuriyama; she was amazing as O-Ren's bodyguard GoGo Yubari. For someone who was handed a ball and chain and told to master it in just three months she looked completely at ease with it and used it with great confidence. I hope to see more of her in Hollywood.
I have to mention the use of blood in this film too. The way it sprays out instead of trickling is pure Tarantino at his best.