Vol 2. is to story what Vol. 1 is to Style

Rating: 10/10 (11 October 2004)

Here we have a "continuation" of one of the most perplexing, stylistic, mystifying, and action packed movie experiences ever put on film. I had no idea what to expect walking into the theatre to view Kill Bill Vol. 2. The first film was clever, wrought with Tarantinian logic and style, unspeakably violent, and one hell of a good time. But I couldn't watch vol. 1 without the sinking feeling that there was almost literally no story involved. Tarantino made a film which seemed to exist so that he would have an excuse to recreate shots from his favorite kung-fu films, single handedly support the "movie blood" industry, and coordinate breath taking a beautiful fight sequences. It moved at a break neck pace which left no time for character development or conflict. I feared that Vol 2. would make the mistake of attempting to maintain this pacing.
My worries, however, proved to be unfounded. Instead, Tarantino's second installment tones down the miraculous action sequences(but does not eliminate them) so that we can pay more attention to why things are happening, and what is driving these characters to do what they do. There are feasts for the eyes and the ears. This film is largely more influenced by the Spaghetti Westerns and Sergio Leone than the first. Robert Rodruigez and the Rza provide great throwback music which the director perfectly mates with his images. However, Vol. 2 finds its greatest asset in the character of Bill, portrayed by David Carodine in the most surprising performance of this or any year.
It is important to note, when watching either film, that neither is complete unless viewed with the other in mind. This is a single film, written, acted, and photographed at the same time. The decision to split the film apart came in post-production, and to consider it as two separate films is to do an injustice to the much greater work as a whole. This film is the key to all genre film-making. The filmmaker has created a work in which a frame from any of its influences could easily find a home within the reels of his movie. This goes beyond the similar aspirations of Raiders of the Lost Arc, Star Wars, and Silverado, among others, to prove itself not only a great movie, but another piece of film making genius by Quintin Tarantino.