Review (no spoilers)

Rating: 4/10 (3 May 2004)

Kill Bill: Vol 1, Quentin Tarantino's fourth film, tells the story of a female assassin known only as the Bride (Uma Thurman) who is attacked on her wedding day. She survives the attack but lives in a coma for the next four years at which point she wakes up and begins her plot for revenge.
The film demonstrates a total lack of originality. It both parodies and plays homage to old samurai movies, yakuza, Japanese anime, chop-socky kung fu flicks, blaxploitation films, and spaghetti Westerns. The references are numerous and begin with the opening credit sequence, a tribute to the Shaw Brothers martial-arts films of the 1970s. The film spends so much time resembling these other genres that it fails to create its own identity.
Tarantino, as he did with Pulp Fiction, plays around with the order of the narrative giving it a non-linear form. Unlike in Pulp Fiction, however, the reordering of events does little for the film. It plays like a gimmick; it is there simply as his signature mark. It contributes nothing to the film's artistry.
The end of the movie is revealed very early on making the ensuing battle scenes, which are incredibly gory and drag on endlessly, rather pointless. Nothing is saved for the climax. The narrative, linear or not, must work toward the uncovering of some level of meaning or understanding about the films core themes. This film doesnt have any themes. Kill Bill is one big ass-kissing job by Quentin Tarantino to the film genres that have entertained him for so long.
Tarantino fans will be disappointed as the film lacks the Tarantinoesque dialogue they have come to enjoy. The plot is thin and what back-story we are given pertains to all characters except the main character played by Uma Thurman. The audience, therefore, cannot empathize with her and join her in battle. The film will catch the attention of guts and gore fans, though one scene was filmed in black and white to tone down the severity of the gore enabling the film to retain an R rating.
If you enjoy action and only action then this film is for you. Substance seekers stay away. In the words of Tarantino himself: "...we've all seen this before...you know the story goin' in...it's easy to follow."