A Film for Film Buffs----Casual Movie-Goers Beware!

Rating: 7/10 (11 November 2009)

After having seen "Resevoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction" and Grindhouse", along with this movie, I can safely assume that Quentin Tarantino makes movies for those in the know about crime dramas, martial arts films, ivory tower academic analysis of pop culture and "the aesthetics of violence", and '70s TV shows. Those who are not familiar with any of the four subjects will not understand Tarantino's movies, nor are they likely to fully enjoy them. I, myself, am not a film buff, but merely a casual movie-viewer, much like the general public. I have not seen many crime dramas or martial arts movies, and my knowledge of '70s TV shows is limited to the sitcoms that aired on Nick-at-Nite and TV Land. I spent some time in the ivory tower to obtain a liberal-arts degree, but it was not in film, sociology or any degree which would help me understand film-as-art, much less the concept of the "aesthetitization of violence" in art. As a result, Tarantino's films, and "Kill Bill: Volume 1" in particular, make little sense to me. Not having a film degree or an IQ above 120, I will attempt to judge "Kill Bill" as I see it, solely on its own merits as entertainment and as a story.
"Kill Bill" is a simple revenge story, with the unique use of females as butt-kicking super-heroes and supervillains, rather than the muscle-bound, virile men, such as Charles Bronson or Chuck Norris, that we've seen a gajillion times. Having a female as a tough, resilient, capable hero, as opposed to a delicate damsel-in-distress is a tradition that is best exemplified in the 1979 classic "Alien", where Sigourney Weaver does an excellent job as the protagonist Ripley. This genre results in above-average-to-excellent acting on the part of the actresses. Uma Thurman is wonderful as Black Mamba, a former assassin with a blood-lust for erstwhile allies who massacred her soon-to-be husband and entourage at her wedding. With a bullet presumably still lodged in her brain, Black Mamba is somewhat unhinged and given to spurts of savage violence, yet still possess a conscience, and will not harm those in a helpless position, nor will she attack innocent bystanders. The morality of Black Mamba's vengeance quest is analyzed by the character giving her her superweapon---her "Excalibur", if you will----Hattori Hanzo. At least Tarantino gives Black Mamba a conscience and does not give free rein to guts and gore without considering the consequences that violence will have on people.
People who deplore violence in movies can at least be relieved that the carnage in "Kill Bill" is so over-the-top and incredible as to be cartoonish. Black Mamba is not a realistic assassin, but a superhero like those in the comic books who can literally slice and dice a whole army of Japanese mafia thugs, take katana wounds that would kill an ordinary person and still have the stamina to kill off even more enemies. Perhaps her madness and lust for vengeance render her an invincible hero (like Stalone's "Rambo", to whom Black Mamba would undoubtedly be compared), and enjoying "Kill Bill" and its ultra-violence require a huge suspension of disbelief. This film's a celebration of other films---possibly even violent flicks like "Rambo"----rather than anything resembling real life.
Many aspects of this film seem clearly inspired by other movies. Uma's character has close-up shots that focus on her eyes as they narrow on an enemy. This, along with Black Mamba's proficiency with a sword, seem, consciously or not, to be inspired by Taarna from "Heavy Metal." "Kill Bill" certainly seems to share that cartoon classic's love of bloodshed. Like "Resevior Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction," "Kill Bill" has an eclectic soundtrack of '60s rock and pop hits, as well as some weird Spanish bolero instrumental that plays while Black Mamba faces off Volume 1's main antagonist, Cottonmouth. In all, Tarantino wanted a movie that was far more style than substance. If the audience does not understand that, they most likely will not like this movie.
Uma Thurman is as beautiful as ever, and it was a delight to see those close-up shots of her deep-blue eyes. She is a wonderful actress, and has a full understanding of what Tarantino wanted for his protagonist. The only other stand-out performance was Lucy Liu's understated yet sufficiently-menacing role as the leader of the Japanese mafia, Cottonmouth. I will need to see Volume 2 to adequately judge David Carradine and Daryll Hannah's roles as antagonists. Vivicia Fox's role as Copperhead is all too brief, but she does well for the limited screen time she has.
As I'm not intelligent enough to get art-house movies or understand Tarantino's vision, I cannot give a truly thorough judgment. Still it was a decent, if bizarre movie with a powerful female lead who was fun to watch on screen. As a stand-alone, Volume 1 is a missing piece. One would have to watch Volume 2 to "get" the whole of "Kill Bill."