A Modern Swords and Revenge Story

Rating: 9/10 (29 April 2011)

Many people who watch the film Kill Bill Vol. 1 will see it as nothing more than an action film with no artistic value. However, anyone who has ever taken a film class or who has a genuine appreciation of the artistry and thought process which goes into the making of a film will quickly recognize that Kill Bill Vol. 1 is more than a simple action film. From the very beginning the film hooks the viewers' attention. This is not accomplished with elaborate fight scenes, car chases, or explosions. Rather, a simple blank screen and a few sound effects get the viewers attention in a way seldom accomplished.
After the film's opening, the story proceeds in a nonlinear structure (in medias res) and tells the tale of Black Mamba a.k.a. The Bride (Uma Thurman,) thought to have been killed in the opening scene, who goes about getting her revenge on those who sought to kill her. Black Mamba spends a significant portion of the film seeking a sword which will not fail her in her quest for revenge. Almost as if she were King Author seeking the Holy Grail, Black Mamba travels to Japan to obtain a master crafted sword.
The theme of swords being an "honest killer's tool" is seen over and over as Black Mamba walks through airports, and gets on plains with hers, and no one seeming to mind. Although a sword may not be a practical weapon for an assassin, they do have a period neutral feel that coincides with many of the film's period neutral costumes. Through a series of flashbacks, information is gradually filled in providing the viewer with the story leading up to the untimely demise (or so we thought) of Black Mamba in the film's opening scene. One by one Black Mamba gets her revenge on the individuals who sought to kill her, while at the same time, seeking information as to the whereabouts of her former lover and attempted murderer, Bill.
The film is a period piece set in the late 1970's, or early 1980's which allows the film's creator (Quentin Tarantino) to give the film a very unique look. Many of the vehicles in the film are vintage to that time period; however, most of the character's costumes have a rather period neutral appearance to them. The occasional placement of an item from that time period provides interesting accents to the film without distraction from the films story.
Costumes and props aside, Kill Bill Vol.1 has many artistic traits that make it more it appears. Some viewers may not care for the film's cliff-hanger ending; however, the climatic last question posed by Bill at the film's end allows the film to end on both a high and low note. Even a person who may not be interested in action movies should view the film and try to appreciate it for its artistic value, if not for its sword-fights.
John Sellers