Gory, ridiculous and joyous to watch.

Rating: 9/10 (2 November 2003)

I avoided seeing this film because most of the critics only talked about how much blood was spilled in this movie and I'm not a Texas Chainsaw Massacre type of guy, but my friends kept telling me that this movie rocked. So I finally saw it. Screw the pinhead intellectuals Kill Bill is sick. It is the bomb. This is Quentin Tarantino's 4th and best movie. I loved Resevoir Dogs, found Pulp Fiction obese (I hated it) and can't even name his 3rd film. Any movie that opens up with a Klingon proverb announces that it not to be taken seriously. What is shocking is the passion, effort and care that is evident on the screen in making this non-serious masterpiece. There was very serious work involved here. The action scenes are way over the top but beautifully executed. They are as gory as anything I've ever seen this side of Braveheart, but it is fun. The quiet scenes are sly and the dialogue is smart. What this movie lacks in emotion is more than compensated by intrigue. You want to know know what is going to happen next. You don't want to overthink this movie because it is so much fun to watch. If Mystic River is the best film this year then Kill Bill: Vol. 1 may be the best movie of the year. I can't wait for Vol. 2.