Bloody fantastic

Rating: 10/10 (18 October 2003)

After the film i left the cinema on the same sort high i experienced with Lord Of the Rings and The Matrix. It's quite simply an exercise in violence and cool and i have no problem when it's this sharp.
Making a true mockery of the CGI fights which dog most films Tarantino has made a truly outstanding action film, which is what it is regardless of what most would say. We just don't seem to notice it because it lacks a car chase which lasts a half hour, a 'pumping' soundtrack and ludicrous wardrobe.
I imagine a small minority of Tarantino fans will hate it with passion because Tarantino has moved on from his roots into new exciting genres, not that the man himself will care. I'm more than happy to see him broaden his palette. The performances are spot on, despite criticism the soundtrack is next on my shopping list and the direction is sublime. A neat Anime back story in the middle, brilliant and numerous moments of black humor combined with lightening fast swordplay rises above every other film i've seen in the cinema this year.
I can't wait to see how Tarantino tackles the War genre but most of all i look forward to Volume 2. The choice to split the film in two is still a mystery as i could have easily watched another hour and half but it's something to look forward too. Another Masterpiece in the can id say.