A TAD DISAPPOINTING...

Rating: 9/10 (16 April 2004)

Well I just got back from the multiplex, and let me tell you, KILL BILL VOL. 2 IS NOT WHAT MOST VIEWERS ARE GOING TO EXPECT. The only review of Vol. 2 I had read before watching the movie myself was Rolling Stone's Peter Travers's take on things. I have to say that Mr. Travers was more than a little misleading, but that is besides the point (He gave it a 4 out of a 4).
The movie begins well enough, with Uma Therman speaking directly to the camera courtesy of cheesy '40s fare. Then The Bride provides backstory on her wedding, her training, and a little on her relationship with Bill. Keep in mind all of this is intercut with the encounters between The Bride and Budd, and The Bride and Elle Driver (We even find out how she lost that eye). The switching up of present and past maintains the fast pace of Vol. 1, while providing indepth insight into The Bride, something new in Vol. 2. ALTOGETHER THE FIRST HOUR IS SOME GREAT FILMMAKING.
Unfortunately, it is this newfound appreciation for emotional insight that ends up being the film's worst flaw; THE SECOND HOUR OF THE FILM IS DOMINATED BY TALKING. Not that talking is bad or unnecessary for movies, but the energy of the Vol. 1 is all but lost during some of the particularly grating scenes. Granted there is the final showdown between Bill and Uma, but this is preceded by possibly the most degrading showing from Tarantino yet. And what I mean by that is this (And don't infer that I don't respect Quentin Tarantino, because I do), conversation after conversation, MORE AND MORE IS SPELLED OUT for us. Not in a symbolic or metaphorical sense, but in an actual question and answer session between the film's two key players. I found this to be insulting to my intelligence, and anyone else's for that matter. If you payed any attention to Vol. 1 the whole scene is EXTREMELY PREDICTABLE and LABORIOUS TO WATCH.
-i have to pause for a second-
After reading what I've written I see that I'M PAINTING AN OVERLY NEGATIVE PICTURE of Kill Bill Vol. 2. I suppose I'm still frustrated that I already bought Vol. 1 on DVD, expecting Vol. 2 to surpass the first and tie everything together. And IF VOL. 2 REALLY TRIES TO DO ONE THING, THAT WOULD BE COMPLETING THE PICTURE. But I must reiterate that that is exactly my problem with this movie, IT STOPS MOVING FORWARD TO PICK UP WHAT IT LEFT BEHIND, AND TAKES ITS TIME DOING SO (And even still one important question is never answered. Why does Hatori Hanzo not like Bill? What drives him to make the sword?).

I say: Kill Bill Vol. 1 - 9/10 Kill Bill Vol. 2 - 7/10 Kill Bill (Whole)- 8/10
A two-part to remember, possibly more for its stylistic prowess than anything else, but nothing to live by. A combined release with intermission might have helped. I do realize that isn't very practicle (Look how the Lord of the Rings movies did though, despite length).