exceptional style, memorable but not perfect

Rating: Null/10 (14 April 2010)

What is the recipe for Quentin Tarantino. A little Spagetti Western, a little Akira Kurosawa, a bit of mixed media, and an artistic/humorous take on the spilling of blood and bodily fluids. Works great in Kill Bill, a film with exception style, worthy of praise even if it is occasionally slow.
Another thing memorable about Quentin Tarantino, is the manner in which he has found a loophole through the rules of conventional storytelling and narration. I am referring of course to the way he gives his film chapters, allowing him to jump from here to there without ruining the story, always something new. The smartest thing about Kill Bill, is how you know absolutely nothing when the film starts, and even when it ends, there are many questions posed (intentional of course). With each chapter something new is revealed. This is how he keeps you going, in order to get answers one must sit through and endure his tedium, black sense of humour, and you won't get any answers if you walk out.
Kill Bill is essentially the ultimate revenge story, a modern Count of Monte Cristo. Uma Thurman, wakes up from deaths doorstep, and she is eager to go after the five people who almost killed her on her wedding day. Bill is #1.
Of course the reason Kill Bill is in two parts, is because, Tarantino is slow. He throws in pauses and segments of silence where no other filmmaker since Kurosawa (or Sergio Leone) has. This is one of the reason he is so controversial. Much of the movie is a build-up, but the payoff is sufficient, Kill Bill vol 1. has a killer climax, and an equally big cliffhanger ending.
If you can stomach Tarantino, I guarantee, Kill Bill Vol 1 will make you eager for more.