I eat my words!!

Rating: 9/10 (1 September 2005)

Yes I said I never liked Quentin Tarantino. Yes I boycotted seeing this film and it's previous installment because I was furious that Tarantino continually gets more popular despite his constant attempts at being so called different and outrageous. He tries too hard and I still stand by that but when it comes to the amazing and brilliant Kill Bill Series, I gladly and whole heartedly eat my words.
The two Kill Bill volumes are as different as they are important to each other. They are both very much from the same series and the story continues over completely but nonetheless they are very very different and in that Tarantino finally finds some actual uniqueness. He managed to create two completely different films that are directly sequels of each other and keep getting better. The first Kill Bill was action packed, gore, constant non stop revenge whereas the second installment is softer in a grotesque kind of way. The initial fiery revenge has calmed some but "The Bride's" self imposed mission has not changed. Instead in Volume 2 all the characters and actors get the opportunity to really show some acting ability with more emotion than the original. Uma Thurman is still brilliant (and I was never a fan before) as The Bride. She will be one of the most memorable film characters in history. Her anger, and emotions, and in this volume we get to see where all this hatred and vengeance stems from. At the same time we get to see her brought to her knees by the one last thing she feels real human emotion for...her daughter. The battles and enemies in Volume Two are no less amazing then they were in volume one. Michael Madsen's character is a little underused but credit must be given to him as the only one who actually nearly stops The Bride's rampage. Daryl Hannah, who gave us a glimpse of her deadly character Elle Driver becomes a full fledged enemy in Volume 2. She is deadly and deceitful and wicked and their fight in the tiny, cramped trailer is awesome. Perhaps one of the best things about Volume 2 is the intense history we are treated to. Whereas Volume One opened a can of questions Volume 2 answers them all right from the beginning. We hear Bill, we know a little about him but we never see him in the original. Why was The Bride at that chapel, how did she get there, who is she, what is her history? Right from the beginning we see Bill, we get to know the history between them and what was going on during the execution.
One of the best things in the film is seeing where and when The Bride became such a gruesome, awesome killing machine at the hands of legendary Oriental Judo master Pai Mei. The shining star of Kill Bill Volume 2 is none other than Bill himself. David Carradine creates one of the most scary, brutal, maniacal, calculating killers and evil bad guys in film history. His voice and mannerisms can't help but give you shivers. This is without a doubt his most brilliant role. I was mildly disappointed at the brief encounter and battle between him and The Bride and how easily he is defeated although in a way it's poetic justice and makes sense...or...maybe that wasn't his defeat?? I think with what Tarantino has done with Volume's one and two it's safe to say he could do a smart and worthy volume three. I have a whole new respect for his direction and this series. It's captivating and original and stylish and classic film already. 9/10