Kill Bill...and kill him good!

Rating: 9/10 (25 April 2009)

What a spectacular, dazzling piece of cinema genius! I had known about this film for years, and I regret that I waited so long to watch it! One of the first of its kind, taking samurai flicks, adding a hint of secret agent assassin into the mix, clash cultures between America and Japan, famous director Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction), and this is the result.
The story revolves around a woman who is referred to as "The Bride" (her real name is not revealed in this movie) because the lethal hit-man (and hit-women) league known as "The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad" killed the pregnant former-assassin at her own wedding, led by Bill: the insane, yet mysterious leader of the Squad, which The Bride was once a part of. Instead of killing her like they thought, she instead went into a coma, not reemerging until 4 years later, when she vows for revenge for her and her unborn child, which she assumed had died.
So, The Bride makes her way down (or up, if you like) her hit-list, starting with the gorgeous yet deadly O-Ren Ishii (played by the dazzling Lucy Liu): a Japanese-American who took down almost the entire Yakuza gang in her ultimate quest for power. Slowly, she works way up the list, which continues in Kill Bill Volume 2, until the final showdown with her ex-boss and former lover, Bill.
The cast was stunning. Only Uma Thurman could've played the beautiful but deadly hit-woman who takes it upon herself to brutally slaughter every last one of her betrayers. Lucy Liu was fantastic. Beautiful, graceful, and exceptionally frightening in terms of swords. She pulled off the Japanese Goddess of Swords very well. Vivica A. Fox, who we first see as "Copperhead" (her real name was Vernita), isn't seen very much overall, but the way in which she is seen is exceptionally good. She has a great sense of humor and intelligence, and is the queen of surprises (see the kitchen scene for clarification).
The plot and story were divine. Only Quentin Tarantino, master of Pulp Fiction, could've crafted this wacky, martial-arts-gone-samurai movie, adding tributes to old slasher films, Japanese anime, and spy movies. I was so disappointed when it ended, I wanted it to keep going on, but I suppose that's what Volume 2 is for.
This movie certainly isn't for all audiences, as one person noted in their review. It is exceptionally bloody and gory, though it is often exaggerated so it really isn't that disgusting, and very graphically violent. The name suggests some type of gratuitous something or other, so it obviously isn't a film you would show to your kids. But if you love samurai movies, or any other films in general, then this is certainly one you don't want to miss. I can't wait to see Volume 2, and I hope Bill gets just what he deserves.
9/10, an instant classic!