cleverly made second half of a Tarantino gem

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2005)

SPOILERS In recent cinema history, there are probably no directors who can write and direct stylish films as Quentin Tarantino. With a back catalogue including the new flawless "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) and award winning "Pulp Fiction" (1994), Tarantino writes from an angle which is both endearing and genius. As a man who has worked in a movie store and has had a long running love of cinema, Tarantino creates the types of film he wants to watch himself. He uses his own personal knowledge to create films which not only contain facts and trivia, but which tend to remain as tributes to classic styles.
As a fan of classic martial arts films, in 2003, Tarantino released the first of his two part epic "Kill Bill". Telling the story of an assassin out for revenge, the first film was a masterful piece of cinema which, whilst maybe lacked slightly in substance, remained a stylish bloodbath, which any martial arts fan could happily sit and enjoy. In 2004, the second part of the film was released, and amazingly this film was significantly different to the first. Whilst part one was a stylish piece of constant bloodshed, this second encounter is much more plot driven, whilst retaining that inherent beauty. As good, if not better, as the first part, this concluding chapter in the story of the Bride (Uma Thurman) is yet another fine addition to anyone's DVD collection.
The Bride, or "Black Mamba" (Thurman) is out for revenge. Having dispatched two members of the assassination squad sent to kill her, this film deals with her pursuit of the remaining members, Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) and Budd (Michael Madsen). With these two eliminated from the equation, the Bride has plans to finally kill the one man who ordered her death, her old master, and friend, Bill (David Carradine).
Upon the original announcement made by Tarantino that he would be splitting this film into two segments, there were many who questioned the chances of success. Well, with two finely constructed films, we have our answers. Whilst not quite as amazing as the one long, uncut, film would have been, both parts are worthy reminders of Tarantino's genius.
In this second part in particular, there are so many superb qualities worthy of mention.
Led by a great performance by Thurman and a constantly intimidating performance by Carradine, the films acting staff thrive with the exquisite script. Everyone puts in a good job, right down from the main cast, through to the creepy Esteban Vihaio (Michael Parks).
The true beauty of "Kill Bill: Volume 2" however is once again the way Tarantino has filmed it. With a black and white opening scene covering the original massacre of the wedding party, this film oozes style. When it returns to colour, it doesn't just return to your normal every day colours, but it returns to bright, vivid colours which stand out on the screen. Bill's house towards the end in particular is rich in texture and is just incredibly bright.
As well as colour, this film again has a stunning soundtrack. Whilst admittedly not as good as the "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) soundtrack, Tarantino still manages to put some wonderful pieces of music throughout, whether orchestral or from his own CD collection.
In fact, "Kill Bill: Volume 2" suffers from the one minor problem that it's not quite as good as Tarantino's early work. Whilst the two parts mixed together to make one film would quite easily make anyone's top ten films list, the parts separated do feel weak compared to true classics like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction". To say a director/writer's film is inferior to his earlier work is not an insult to the later work, but rather an enormous compliment to the previous pieces. Tarantino has created some of the most stylish films of the last twenty years, and whilst the two separate parts of "Kill Bill" are neither as good as his earlier stuff, nor as good as a combined piece would probably be, they are still wonderful films, and this second half is another Tarantino beauty.