A Very Difficult Film to Review

Rating: 10/10 (23 April 2004)

My Review: ***1/2 out of ****.
Spoilers
When I wrote my review for Kill Bill Volume 1, I said I would raise the rating to a 3 1/2 if Volume 2 completed the story in a satisfying way. Well it did it in a much more than satisfying way. Volume 2 is a compelling film with many scenes of greatness. So many that in fact they almost erase the small sense of dissatisfaction(more on that later).
Volume 2 is a different film from Volume 1. Volume 1 was a kinetic, stylish, kung fu gorefest homage. Volume 2 is a slower, talky film that has more in common with spaghetti westerns than kung fu. Its still a stylish film but the action and the violence are toned down.
In terms of action, it was unlikely that anything in Volume 2 would top the Crazy 88 Gang Fight in Volume 1. However, the fight between The Bride (or her name is Beatrix Kiddo) and Elle Driver comes close to matching it. Its a brutal, exhilirating fight that is masterfully directed and ends with a hilarious moment. This is just one of many great scenes.

Stylistically, Tarantino does a lot with this film (arguably more than he did with Volume 1). He uses a split screen during the Elle Driver fight. He changes the theatrical ratio during one scene(Im not sure I have ever seen that done before). Tarantino also does a bunch of extreme close ups (ala Sergio Leone). Once again, he shoots some scenes in Black and White (Including the opening which is brilliant). However, there is one scene that really deserves mention. That is the scene in which the Bride is first placed in the coffin and buried alive. When shes being buried alive Tarantino uses black and white which makes the scene extremely uncomfortable (as it should be). Than he switches to just total darkness. The scene is brilliantly filmed and it is just another great scene in Volume 2.

Now we come to Volume 2's most obvious strength: The Performances. Uma Thurman was terrific in Volume 1 (she deserved but did not get an Oscar Nomination). But its her performance in Volume 2 that proves she is one of the best actresses working today. The character is developed much more in Volume 2 and Thurman proves she is more than up to the task. Its a more emotional performances and Thurman nails it. She better get an Oscar Nomination this year.
Thurman isn't the only one to turn in a top notch performance. David Carradine matches her scene for scene (although he does have less screentime). Carradine also develops Bill into a more complex individual. Bill isn't an evil, over the top individual. Carradine shows us the human side of Bill. Tarantino originally had Warren Beatty in mind for the role, but I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than Carradine.

The supporting performances are also top notch. Remember Daryl Hannah? The sweet, shy actress who played innocent characters like the mermaid in Splash. Well theres none of that here. Hannah is frighteningly evil as Elle Driver. Michael Madsen also does an excellent job as Budd. Gordon Liu is a standout in an interesting segment of the film, he plays the person who trained Beatrix.
I will not deny that Volume 2 strengthens Volume 1. It fills in the holes. However, Volume 2 has some weaknesses of its own. First of all, like I mentioned, this is a talky film. But no one in their right mind will confuse the dialogue in Volume 2 with Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. The dialogue in Volume 2 is occassionally bland which causes some scenes to drag. I wish Tarantino would have shortened the film just a little. I mean there are some memorable lines ("Roar and Rampage" monologue for example) but just don't expect Pulp Fiction-type dialogue.
Put separately, I would say for right now, the two films are equal. They are both compelling films with many great scenes but there is still a small sense of dissatisfaction. If Tarantino puts the two films together and possibly cut a few scenes from both than he could have a masterpiece on his hands, just like he did with Pulp Fiction. For now, I stronlgy recommend Volume 1 and Volume 2 but I would just love to see them together.