Electrifying "Kill Bill" operates under its own (excellent) terms

Rating: Null/10 (13 October 2003)

Quentin Tarantino's boldly proclaimed 4th film "Kill Bill: Episode 1" is a film that succedes on more levels than there are kung fu fighters in its majestic climax. It conquers its violent and surprisingly vacant subject matter with consistent doses of visual and sensory flourishes that co-exist seamlessly in a world where Mr. Tarantino has free reign over his ideas, and uses them to their most extreme and rewarding conclusions. Its violent, its mindless and you guessed it - its pure cinematic entertainment on a grade A level.
Before we go any further, lets jot it down for both good measure and vital importance: Quentin Tarantino has obviously got a thing for the world of motion pictures. Asian Kung-Fu flicks, Spaghetti Westerns and the gritty world of exploitation filmmaking are appropriate influences here, whilst big budget, objectively based, heart warming (and arguably maniuplative) epics are out. Unless youve lived under a *mutliplex* rock, you are probably familiar with his past features, films that focus on pulpy crime subject matter in a world of amoral, colofrul charecters who are no more than fanatsized creatures in the eternal planet of "cool". Kill Bill ambitiously takes this genre of filmmaking into the next era with a sense of reckless ambition and skill that pulsates each frame along at lightning fast rates, taking the viewer out for an experience once known as a night at the movies. Its important to note that rather than just recycling the similar dialogue based aspects that guided past efforts such as "Reservoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction" and the overlooked "Jackie Brown", Tarantino gives us a breather and brings us along for a trip into wall-to-wall action territory. "Kill Bill" marvelously does for action what "Pulp Fiction" did for dialogue: It re-invents the genre by giving it new life steeped in both classic film history and equally fierce independant ambition. Its definately a Tarantino type of film that doesnt scream the name like a broken record over and over again. Spielberg's and Scorcese's everywhere, take note.

The plot of Kill Bill is...is...oh right, something about a bride who was left for dead, suddenly awakes and is out for vengeance, samurai style. The timeless yet firmly fixed and idealogically bankrupt plot structure provides the appropriate springboard for a trip into the previously mentioned genres of grindhouse filmmaking. Bringing an elemental yet still dignified approach to the main charecter (who's name is curiously bleeped out on screen) is Uma Thurman, the gen X femme fatale from 1994's massive Pulp Fiction. We get all the melodramatic conviction and endless energy of an actress taking a break from the cookie cutter assortment of predictable Hollywood roles set out for her and diving into a role with the possibility to really kick some butt. I knew this film was working when the supporting cast featured a refreshingly nice performance from Lucy Liu as O-Ren Oshi, a member of the DIVAS ensemble that takes top billing on a "To Kill List" devised by our heroine. The scenes involving her personal militia, herself and the bride will stand as some of Tarantino's best work for years to come. The cinematogrpahy, editing, charecter interaction, pacing, and the excellent soundtrack resound with a strong sense of achievement and purpose here, and you cant help but realize that youre sitting dangerously close to the edge of your seat for most of it. Besides, how many times can you REALLY say that you sat on the edge of your seat throughout your film going history? Im not talking about anticipating the films end either, Im talking about being stimulated on a visual level that seems completely assumed and natural. The kind that seem to have substance even if the plot isnt crying out for it with zealous self-righteous appeals. Its nice to experience this universe sometimes as opposed to the heavy, chin wagging, mind twitching CGI universe that landed a couple years ago.
If you are like this reviewer and youre not all that familiar with the film influences or genres being cited here, fear not and be thankful that you got an $8 crash cource in them rather than a late-fee ridden, year long excursion into your local blockbuster. Besides, sometimes its more enjoyable watching a skilled director distill these things for you than rummaging through the waste bin of important cinema. Its rare that Ill take style over substance, but in this case Im not going to deny it. Rather, I'll just sit back with the popcorn and gawk away at a film that knows how to achieve exactly what it sets out to mainly because it sets standards for itself that are precise and cliche, yet somehow fresh and entertaining. "Kill Bill Volume 1" works if you let it. This is a great film.
**** out of ****
Philip Jamieson, 2003 "Kill Bill: Volume 1" Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, Vivica Fox and Daryl Hannah

set forth for an amitious film of this magnitude is what really captivates the viewer, and make no mistake about it - "Kill Bill" actually is the first tour de force of our short century.