Not quite as good as part #1, but close

Rating: 9/10 (6 November 2005)

After watching the first part of this vengeful film duo, I had certain expectations from the second part. Imagine my face when I realized in the cinema that they were completely wrong. Part two is not "just a continuation" of the first one. Anyone who expects it to be is going to be disappointed.
After a few minutes of adaptation, however, I slowly fell in love with the second "Bill", too. Its mood is totally different, the visual style, the pace. Which is, I am quite certain, exactly as Tarantino wanted it to be. In some ways, it is not quite Tarantino-ish. In others very much so. Like the loving details of each scene. The great camera work. And the master craftsmanship in general.
So, how is this one different? It is slower. It is less violent. It gives the characters actual room for development. The music is totally different, too, which can mostly be credited to the fact that this is the first time a QT film has "custom-made" music. Somehow it all works. Again.
To sum it up: this is another masterpiece by QT. It is perhaps not quite as brilliant as the first half (that is always a risk with sequels), but it is a very close call. It is like the other side of a coin. Completely different, but still alike. If you can, invest the 4h and watch both parts in sequence. Only then you will experience the complete magic of "Kill Bill".