Stylistic but anti-climactic

Rating: Null/10 (18 April 2004)

(5 out of 10) I really enjoyed Vol. 1, and was looking forward to Vol. 2, figuring it couldn't miss. It did...
Tarantino once said he likes to make three movies at once. He's certainly done that with Kill Bill(s), but he could have done so with a single two and-a-half hour movie. He could have combined his spaghetti western/chopsockey/blood-spattered Revenge of the Bride, and STILL gotten in all the style and different pacing. Remember the scene with Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper in his home in 'True Romance'? That movie slowed down for great dialogue in a great scene, then got going again. And in Kill Bill Vol. 1, it was very much slow/fast/slow/fast, which was fine. But in Vol. 2 it's slow down, slow some more, and in the climax, go extra slow (especially as compared to Vol. 1).
Kudos to Tarantino for getting his vanity project done in such a unique way, and for his overall flair and style. There are some great scenes and great directing! There is great cinematography and choice of music. He has put his childhood memories on the big screen as seen through a kaleidoscope (pot-haze induced?).
Uma Thurman is outstanding!! David Carradine was surprisingly good! Unfortunately, Tarantino obviously loves Carradine TOO much. He has so much camera time talking away and trying to look cool that it becomes annoying.

I was really bugged by multiple continuation problems (blood appearing/disappearing, etc.).
The biggest blow to the film is its climax. After almost 5 hours of movies, the final showdown was truly disappointing!!! I wasn't alone. The fairly full theater didn't seem satisfied as they left.
Tarantino apparently does as he pleases, but in this case, with no one reining him in, he has made a frustrating film instead of the near-classic it could have been.