In actuality, less is more

Rating: 10/10 (18 April 2004)

Having seen part II of Kill Bill on opening night (just like I did with the first back in October), I couldn't help but expect the same amount of bloodshed and action that was so prominent in the first. Underneath it all though, I knew it was time for Tarantino to show us actual characters human sides, or it would just turn out to be two movies of nonstop, illiterate action that would remain derivative and not remain true to himself (Tarantino). The movie started a little slow, and you actually have to listen to the dialogue this time because it's important for things to come. Although, I liked the development and actually had only one eye open waiting in suspense in the opening scene (which is in the same setting as the part I took). I really had a sort of dislike for Tarantino before that I never told anyone, but this film (part I and II as a whole) changed my perspective (although fanboys really annoy me). My biggest surprise was that Daryll Hannah, who has been around forever, is finally showing us that she can act. Having NEVER liked her, I found her introduction in Part I to be stellar and the conclusion of her character Elle Driver even more-satisfying. Out of all of the Brides former cohorts, Elle Driver IMO was the only one that was never friends with her at any given time, as there is a perfect tension between Thurman and Hannah being displayed here. In volume one, Cottonmouth and the Bride finish each other's sentences, and after her demise, you see tears in the corner of the Brides eyes. Before Copperhead dies in the beginning of vol. 1, she asks the Bride if she still likes her coffee a certain way. You could see that at one time these characters actually cared for one another. Budd is questionable, although his feelings of slight disgust for the Bride come more from her earlier affair with Bill, his brother. Point being, Elle Driver was probably always viewed as the blacksheep of the group, with only Bill the Snake Charmer ever giving her a chance. ***SPOILER*******It's funny that the Bride spares her life, one she truly hated, and didn't to those she had once had feelings for in some way or another. Maybe this was her way of saying "you deserve something worse than death" and then leaving her with the snake. Driver (California Mtn. Snake) was indeed specialized in the way of poisening people to end their lives, so the Bride wanted her to feel as much of a slow, painful death as Driver gave to her victims.*******end Spoiler*******. Overall, I have to say I liked this movie better, if not necessarily enjoyed it more. Volume 1 was much more of a "enjoy it for what it is" type of movie, Volume 2 is an actual Tarantino film.
In short:Volume 1: **** Volume 2: ****1/2 both: ****1/2