Thurman Kills!

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2015)

Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003): Dir: Quentin Tarantino / Cast: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Sonny Chiba, Julie Dreyfus: Exhilarating action film about revenge in its most determined state. Uma Thurman plays "the Bride" who is left for dead by the assassins she worked for. She awakens from a four year coma and trains herself to avenge the death of her unborn child and the betrayal. Extremely graphic with stylish direction by Quentin Tarantino who is quoting from various genres. This adds to Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown among his grand achievements. Thurman is fantastic handling the sword play with skill and grace but ultimately out for blood. Vivica A. Fox plays an assassin with different priorities. She now lives in a suburban neighborhood as a mother, which complicates the emotions of viewers particularly when the daughter arrives home to witness her mother's mistake. Lucy Liu is a great presence whose power in Tokyo is highlighted by animation involving the murder of her father. She is fronted by the Crazy 88's bodyguards as well as the reality that she must face consequences. Sonny Chiba plays a sword craftsman who vowed never to make another sword until Thurman mentions that one name; Bill. Julie Dreyfus plays Liu's lawyer who pays a lethal price for her association. Brilliantly crafted and demonstrates the fueling ugliness of revenge. Score: 8 / 10