Kung Fu - Tarantino Style

Rating: Null/10 (17 October 2003)

This might be my new favorite Tarantino movie with Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs being my previous favorites. I've always liked kung fu movies and Tarantino's directing / movie making style, so when I knew he was coming out with his own kung fu flick, I just said `Tarantino, don't let me down.' Well he most certainly didn't let me down!
This film rocks! It's very inline with his directing cinematography style you've come to expect from Tarantino, a movie made up of short stories or segments that are somewhat out of sync in terms of a timeline. Kill Bill isn't nearly as bad as pulp fiction as far as jumping around. The only complaint I have is that you pretty much know who's gonna win in the end because it's given away early in the film. It's another Tarantino trait which does take some of the suspense out near the end, but it's certainly made up for with the over the top blood spewing and genuine action of the fight scenes.
The story is all about a woman (Uma Thurman) who is nearly killed by the Viper Assassination Squad for reasons which I either missed or they didn't explain. Anyway she after a 4 year comma comes back to avenge the 5 people who tried to kill her. The first movie (there's a part two coming out next year) is about the first two people on the list.
The martial arts in this movie is great. Very little CGI if any which I'm glad of cause it just ruins a movie in my opinion. There is some `Crouching tiger hidden dragon' wire jumping, but not enough to annoy you (thank god). But probably the most notable thing about the fight scenes is the blood spewing from chopped off limbs, ect. It's hilariously over the top, but magically doesn't detract from the excitement and seriousness of the fight scenes itself. I'll bet they used 100+ gallons of fake blood in the movie. I sure hope Uma Thurman got paid overtime for this as she definitely earned it.
Cinematography is second to none as Tarantino makes use of normal, black and white, cartoon, and even a black light simulated scenes. His use of music is similar to what he's done in the past with his 70's style that strangely enough seem to fit every moment of the film. His thoughtfulness and attention to detail amazes me. I hope when he passes on he donates his brain to science as he's the Rembrandt of movie making.
In closing, I'd say definitely see this movie if you either like marital arts, Tarantino, or woman power. And for those of you who think he might ruin the seriousness of true Kung fu movies won't be disappointed as he doesn't (in my opinion) dishonor the spirit of them. Only reason I can think of for not seeing it is if you are really squeamish about blood. Can't wait for part II!