First Half is Good

Rating: 6/10 (17 January 2004)

I consider myself an objective movie reviewer. Just because Tarantino directed this movie doesn't mean I'll try to like it. I have no loyalty whatsoever to any studio or director. It is human nature to look up to mythic characters like Tarantino and Tolkien. How else did Hitler come to power? This perhaps explains the fanaticism of Tarantino and LOTR fans. It also explains why Tarantino's films as well as the LOTR films have such inflated IMDB ratings.
Kill Bill is a good movie. The music and visual elements are unique and idiosyncratic. Especially during the first half of the movie Tarantino builds up great suspense with the nurse walking to the Bride in hospital and almost killing her. The splitscreens, bright-cool colors, and anime scenes were stylish and entertaining.
However, halfway through the movie Tarantino seemed to have gotten lazy. The fight scene in which the Bride goes up against hundreds of men with swords is excessively cut. A continuous shot like that found in most fight scene in The Matrix would have been preferable. This would have created a greater sense of cohesion. Instead the fight scene in Kill Bill is quite confusing.
After watching Kill Bill: Volume 2, I'll be able to talk about the plot and characterization. In the first volume characterization is quite disappointing, but I can expect that in martial arts films. (The Matrix had poor characterization as well. Every character spoke like philosophy professors.)
Like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill's main protagonists are females, which is quite alright as it works well as a feminist message to viewers. Gender roles are often reinforced by sexist movies like Lord of the Rings.
7/10