The character development needed for the first movie. (Minor Spoilers)

Rating: 8/10 (3 February 2019)

(Minor Spoilers) The Second Part Of Kill Bill is one of the rare sequels which is better than the original in almost every way. This movie is very different to the original having almost no action, and having a much slower pace. Instead of focusing on the great action from the first part, it builds the world more, and its characters.
I think Uma Thurman had a really great performance in some specific scenes. Most of the actors do a great job. The highlights for me were definitely Bill (David Carradine), Budd (Michael Madsen) and Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah). I did think one of the scenes with Elle Driver was really over acted, to a point were it felt silly, and overly melodramatic, it was honestly a little funny. I mean her reaction makes sense, but she took it a few steps too far. Also Pai Mei (Chia-Hui Liu) wasn't very good in my opinion. Bill has this weird charm to him, but you still hate him. I thought it was done well. Budd was one of my favorites. He isn't over the top like all the other characters. He's the most believable with clear motivations.
The movie had less plot convenience than the first one. The Bride didn't win because she was lucky this time, she won because of her skills. I still don't understand how she became so skilled. I mean the flashbacks to her training didn't really do much to prove to me that she became master at martial arts. Also I think some of the techniques Pai Mei taught her were really silly. I mean one of them worked, but the other one just made the fight seem underwhelming. What I really did like was that in the last movie she gets shot (or a knife thrown at her) twice, and it barely misses her, but in this movie she does get shot in one scene. However there's still a ton of plot convenience. Like in the first movie the world makes no sense. There's a snake that only attacks one person, gun shots that don't wake people up, someone with the intent of killing not killing the character when they have the chance. There weren't as many big examples as the first one, but it still annoys me. I mean some suspension of disbelief is fine, but honestly when there's so much it really annoys me.
There were a few scenes that were setting up some of the characters, but in a movie where we won't really see these characters for too long, it's felt unnecessary. I mean we could've used this time to better set up The Bride's past, or some more action. Also the bleeping Of The Bride's name made no sense. It isn't really a big reveal, the name bleeping does nothing. I spoiled the name for myself since the beginning and it didn't affect the story at all. I did however really enjoy how Bill manipulated The Bride at the end. It's a really smart idea.
I do have to say though, this movie has just better character development, and the narrative. While the first one excelled in the action, I think this one had much better character moments. It's also more creative with its directing, and now the story progresses. We really do see the effects of Bill on everyone even more. The world is expanded on even more. I also do have to say this movie has some great lines.
Overall I think this movie is better than the first one. Quentin Tarantino does a even better job directing here. There were some great shots, and some nice cinematography. The characters aren't as over the top (for the most part), more fleshed out, and believable. Uma Thurman has a really great performance, and I think the story wraps up nicely (despite the underwhelming final fight). My biggest issue is again how silly, and convenient the movie can be in some parts, but also the lack of action. I mean don't get me wrong I'd rather have good character moments than action, but there's only really 1 good fight and that's it. It also drags a little in the beginning. Regardless this is a better movie narratively, and I did enjoy it. I do still think this movie is a tad overrated though.
7.7/10