Revenge is a dish best served cold

Rating: 9/10 (9 September 2004)

*****WARNING SPOILERS DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS MOVIE****
The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad consists of five most deadly killers, led by Bill. There is O'Ren-Ishii as Cottonmouth, Elle Driver as California Mountain Snake, Vernita Green as Copperhead, Budd as Sidewinder. And there is The Bride, whose name is not spoken, who wanted to quit because she was pregnant. One day, somewhere in the Texas desert, The Bride wanted to marry the love of her life.
Then Bill and her former colleagues showed up and killed everyone there. Leaving no one alive. Or so they thought but they did not do a good enough job: The Bride survives, barely, and is in a coma for four years. Her colleagues know this but won't kill her in her sleep; it would just ruin the reputation. One day, The Bride awakens. For her, not a second has consciously passed, and after she realizes all the things that have happened, The Bride decides to take revenge. Bloody revenge.
On each single one of those who betrayed her. The Bride sets out to take back what was once hers: Her life. First on her death list is O-Ren, who has become the yakuza boss of Tokyo, second in line is Vernita Green, who chose a more decent life as well. Thirdly, Budd who has become a bouncer is not living quite the life style his former teammates are.
Fourth is Elle Driver whom seems to have nothing that hatred for the Bride. And finally, the last on the list, BILL. The charming yet dangerous leader if the Deadly Vipers. The one who killed nine people in a church in Elpaso? Only one mistake, he should have killed ten. It has come to this. But after The Bride learns that her daughter is still alive, will she continue her rampage and KILL BILL?
Tarantino has really outdone himself this time around. Let's start at the beginning. In 1992, a little independent film named 'Reservoir Dogs' was released. It was soon to become a cult classic. It was made by a no name Writer/Director Quentin Tarantino. For that hit, he became famous. But it wouldn't be until 1995 when he would be REALLY famous for his classic and unforgettable film, 'Pulp Fiction'.
The film stunned audiences not only nation wide, but worldwide. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won Best Original Screenplay. It was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Picture. It now stands on AFI's 100 Years 100 Movies.
He to write a segment for the film 'Four Rooms'. While I love the film, it was not received well by anyone. He also wrote the films 'From Dusk Till Dawn' and 'Natural Born Killers' and 'True Romance'. All have become cult classic, especially 'From Dusk Till Dawn'. One of my personal favorite movies. The year 1997 came along and Tarantino was at it again with 'Jackie Brown'. While an amazing movie, most will agree it was his weakest effort. Probably since the film is based on a book and not his own material.
It wouldn't be until six years later that Tarantino would grace us with his talents with the ultimate revenge tale, 'Kill Bill'. The film starred Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Micheal Madsen, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, Sonny Chiba and a while lot more. It's Tarantino's greatest effort yet. Personally, I would have loved to have seen the films as a whole, but we will soon enough. Hopefully.
The first film is basically a tribute to all the Kung-fu films of the 70's. Not 100% original, but a whole lot of fun. The blood fest is going to be ten times better when it's presented uncut. The way it's meant to be. It's not brutal, just very, very bloody. Tarantino's vision is totally awesome. The way it's presented is unbelievable. The music is great as well. Well not my favorite, still its Tarantino. I love the way he uses music. In all of his movies.
Vol. 2 is a movie all its own. The style has changed from 70's Kung fu, to Italian Westerns in the style of Sergio Leone. The music style has changed. With music from the legendary Ennio Morricone, Johhny Cash and many others. The visuals in the film are even better than the first. This has become my favorite of the two Vols. And one of my favorite films of all time. The film has a lot more story, and is more brutal to me. Not as bloody. But you know what I mean. I think.
Overall Tarantino has made a film(s) that have and will remain classics. While the rumors of two spin-offs are still lingering, I don't care the ideas: one being an all anime back story of the DiVAS, the other being a spin-off in the future where Vernita Green's daughter, Nikki, goes on a quest for revenge against the Bride. The anime sequence in Vol. 1 is my least favorite scene on both of the films. Not my thing. If your thing is bloody, story, and just pure Tarantino fun, checks out Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.
****/***** - (Both Volumes)