Tarantino displays his formidable writing and character development skills.

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2020)

Vol. 2 continues the cycle of revenge, as well as flashing back to earlier events which provide context and motivation for some of the dizzying action of the first episode. The Bride, whose name we learn is Beatrix Kiddo, must deal with Bill's trailer-trash brother Budd (Madsen) and the deadly, one-eyed Elle Driver (Hannah) before her showdown with Bill (Carradine). We also learn that she has studied with Kung Fu master Pai Mei (Liu) and has learned techniques that will take on significance as her odyssey continues.
All through Arthurian legend and Eastern myth, the magic, invincible sword has been a central symbol invested with unending layers of significance. Filmmakers have taken great care to photograph it just the right angle, with just the right highlights so that its power and meaning can never be questioned. In Vol. 1, The Bride acquires such a sword from the legendary Hattori Hanzo, who comes out of retirement to make a weapon so powerful that "if in your journey you should encounter God, God will be cut." But another such blade is in possession of Bill's brother Budd, who must use it to prevent her from getting to Bill. When Bill asks Budd where this myth-laden, highly significant symbol of power might be, Budd says, "I pawned it." "But it was priceless." "Well, I got $250 bucks for it." This is the sort of dialogue that can only be called Tarantinian. T
In my review of Vol. 1, I wrote: "But this is only Volume 1, and we don't even know what the main character's backstory is yet. Tarantino has Volume 2 to fill in some of the missing motivation as well as display his formidable writing and character development skills."
And that is exactly what he does in Vol. 2. He has created great characters on the page and has brought them to life with flawless casting and seamless direction. Thurman's Beatrix may be studied in future years as one of the all-time great women characters ever put on screen. Both she and Carradine should start shopping for formal wear when awards season rolls around. Tarantino may even have a shot at Best Director. Also riveting is the performance by Hannah as Beatrix' rival, both for Bill's affection and for martial arts supremacy. Their confrontation is a masterpiece of choreography, stunt work, and eye-catching editing. Note that at the end of the credits there is a hilarious out-take from this scene.
One often hears the comment that "they don't make movies like they used to." But with young filmmakers such as Tarantino and older ones the likes Scorsese, Eastwood and Polanski all working at top form, we may just be in the middle of a filmic golden age and just don't know it yet.