More satisfying than the first instalment

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2004)

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
Having mercilessly dispatched the first lot of those who wronged her in the previous film,'The Bride' (Uma Thurman) returns to take out the remaining villains,culminating with her former boss,the titular Bill (Kung Fu film star legend David Carradine.)
The first film was more enjoyable on a trashy level,with all the unashamedly ultra violent sword wielding action going on.This,the second instalment,satisfies on a more deeper level,with greater attention payed to dialogue and atmosphere,and in turn making it an ultimately slightly more absorbing experience.For all this,however,we fail to learn much in the way of motivation or depth to the story and characters until right at the end in the shape of an over-bearing,laboriously droning one-to-one between Thurman and Carradine.Tarantino meant these movies as homage,and it's clear that perhaps he got a bit too carried away in this world.
However,it's not a completely regrettable experience.There are fine performances all round,from Thurman especially,managing the hard-ass kick ass chick stuff (especially striking during a sequence shortly after the opening credits featuring a black-and-white Thurman driving her car talking about how she has one more person to kill) as well as the more emotional range.That's not to mention all the frenetic,ultra flashy martial arts action that occasionally pops up,nowhere near as consistently as part one,but just as impressive and mesmerising.****