QT redeems himself after the horrid JACKIE BROWN

Rating: Null/10 (15 November 2003)

After witnessing a brutal third film by Quentin Tarantino (JACKIE BROWN), I went into KILL BILL with little expectations. Due to the fact that QT made two brilliant films to start his career, I was so psyched up for JACKIE BROWN. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. Even great actors like Samuel L. Jackson and Robert DeNiro couldn't save it. I also questioned why Miramax would spilt KILL BILL into two parts instead of making one film. Well folks, my father always said money talks and bulls**t walks.
QT is back in full force, directing a film that is right up there with RESERVOIR DOGS and PULP FICTION. The film opens with a quote from STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN that says `Revenge is a dish that is best served cold.' Revenge is the main theme in this movie, just as honor is one of the central themes in RESERVOIR DOGS and redemption is the main theme of PULP FICTION.
Basic synopsis (MINOR SPOLIERS) --- the Bride (Uma Thurman looking hotter than ever) is left for dead on her wedding day. We don't see the full attack take place, just bits and pieces. She awakes from a four year coma and vows revenge on her attackers.
Just to warn everyone, this is one of the most goriest movies I have ever seen in a long time. If you can't stand the sight of blood squirting and dismemberment, this may not be the movie for you. Limbs and heads are disappearing faster than food on a plate of a person that hasn't eaten for days. Multiple deaths in this one, compared to very few in PULP FICTION. The scene where Uma fights all of Lucy Liu's army is one of the best action sequences I've seen since Keanau Reeves fought the Smith clones in THE MATRIX RELOADED.
With KILL BILL, Quentin Tarantino again proves what a skilled and gifted writer he is. It leaves with a startling revelation at the end, making us wait until February 2004 to see what goes down. I noticed quite a lot of PULP FICTION references in this one. When Uma draws the square in the air, I laughed. Unfortunately, my girlfriend has never seen PULP FICTION or RESERVOIR DOGS. She did enjoy this movie though, just as I did. Welcome back, Quentin. You just made one hell of a film, right up to the level with the two masterpieces you started your directoral career with. * * * * stars (out of 4)