Movie Review

Kill Bill: Volume 2

First thing?s first ? Kill Bill: Volume 2 is not Kill Bill: Volume 1; they share some comparisons, but are ultimately different films. Volume 1 is excellently paced, boasts an awesome style, and leads up to one kick-ass finale. Volume 2 is not excellently paced, does boast an awesome style, and does not lead up to a kick-ass finale. However, there are some truly great scenes in this movie that are likely going to light up some audiences in applause and cheers (like at this screening).

The problem is that getting to those scenes can require a little patience. Quentin Tarantino has a little issue with self-indulgence this time around. There are a few scenes that seem like they could?ve been cut out in the editing room without a problem, or at least shortened. Nothing of any real significance appears to be going on, and whether or not these moments get better in any repeat viewing, they can come off as pointless at first sight.

But when the action scenes do come, (like at the finale in Volume 1) Tarantino manages to make you want to jump up and down in excitement. The soundtrack is a strong component (like in the previous), as once the tune loads, you know you?re in for a ride. There were several points in the film when I was getting shivers over how cool this movie either looked or due to the ecstatic tone of the soundtrack; it gets right under your skin, making you want to participate with the movie.

What mostly carries Volume 2 to its heights is Uma Thurman?s performance, even more so than in Volume 1. She shows a very strong range in her talent, as her emotions go all over the map between the first scene and the final scene. This could very well be the performance that earns her the Academy Award nomination. And it is partly for this reason that this film is not just an entertainment ride, but rather, a memorable experience.

The performances across the board are all very good. Gordon Liu, who plays Pei Mei, The Bride?s (Thurman) trainer, is superb in a role that is very serious and yet comically offbeat. Michael Parks as Esteban Vihaio, who The Bride comes to looking for Bill, is also flawless.

This time around David Carradine is in a very tricky role to play (having to balance a very dangerous side with a sweet-natured personality) and has a lot of screen time. He plays the part with such a natural ability that I think he could possibly get up for a nomination come awards time. You want to hate this guy, and yet Carradine almost makes that impossible.

Tarantino has had a reputation for delivering memorable performances from actors who haven?t had such an acting opportunity in a while. With Pulp Fiction, that was true about John Travolta, and in Jackie Brown, it was Robert Forster (and possibly Pam Grier, but I wasn?t that impressed) ? here, it is Carradine.

After Tarantino blew people away with Pulp Fiction (A-), and then went ahead and did Jackie Brown (B), some moviegoers were not overly satisfied with that film, and were a little disappointed. I was amongst that group, as for me Jackie was more of an Elmore Leonard story and I craved more of a Tarantino story. Kill Bill: Volume 1 then rebounded for a lot of folks, delivering the type of all-out cool Hong Kong action flick that we had rarely ever been treated to.

Kill Bill: Volume 2 is not as irresistible as Volume 1 (A-), but the film had me in more awe than Reservoir Dogs (B+). Part of me wants to label Volume 2 with the same rating as Volume 1, but I wouldn't be totally agreeing with myself if I did so. There are times when this volume is kicking ass like no other ? when Tarantino has it right, he has a classic, but we aren't always treated to a classic (and that's what's somewhat frustrating about this follow-up).

The opening, for example, is in black and white, and this is one of the key examples in the film when Tarantino has it so right that you?re praying that it doesn?t ever let up in impact. There?s also a fun cameo in this segment that sparked a light applause from my crowd. But when you see Tarantino at his best, it can annoy you as to why other bits weren?t as unforgettable.

When Volume 2 ended, I was a little disappointed at the manner in which it did so. But that?s also part of the problem with Volume 1, as it set a level of standards for Volume 2 to live by. This second volume doesn?t live by the same rules, as its intent is not on the action, but more so on the logistics of revenge (the mind game of it all).

This film is composed of a lot of Tarantino talk, and even the ending is mostly Tarantino talk. I love this guy?s dialogue as much as many of you probably do, but if you walk into this film with the ?feverishly entertaining? expectations that Volume 1 set, there?s a chance of being disappointed on some level. I expected a big finale to this edition and didn?t get one, but then you also have to realize that in some ways this film is the way it is for a reason.

Volume 1 handed over the action and the visual awe that we craved, only hinting at the story lightly; Volume 2 takes a step back and dives beneath the surface of the story that we didn?t quite get to in the first half of the series. And unlike most action films, the story is quite crucial to the experience; the more we learn about the hidden details, the more our attitudes can change.

In a sense these two halves of the film are like the Alien franchise: the first Alien was all a story setup in order to get to the second one, which would toss over all the action we desired. Kill Bill works the other way around: Volume 2 is essentially Alien, and Volume 1 is essentially Aliens.

Part of the joy of this film is that it goes against most action movies out there. Scenes may unfold differently than you might expect, and I really appreciated that, as it contradicts generic action film expectations that are embedded into our minds. The film has enough smarts to surprise us and go another route in its storytelling.

Had these two volumes been combined for one long, epic film, it might not have had the same impact as it would today, after seeing them separately. Since we had to wait for volume two, the characters have been fresh in our minds, and it gave us time to think about the next round, and anticipate it. Seeing the two installments as one might not have delivered such an experience.

However, with a three-hour film, Tarantino might have been forced to cut down on his self-indulgence, and would have perhaps focused more on what truly mattered to the story on this half of the film. In one argument I wish that would have happened, but in another, I don?t ? these two volumes told separately have made Kill Bill into a cinematic event for film buffs.

Even if this second volume does not reach the epic heights of its predecessor, we come out with a very clear memory of everything, between the first edition and this one (which is more than can be said about a lot of movies). Tarantino even includes an ending credits montage, with flashbacks to all the famous moments of the series. He obviously loves what he has executed within this story, and his ego does vibrantly show during the end credits, as fun as it is to watch.

Kill Bill has supplied some very memorable scenes, performances, and cinematic style for moviegoers to feast on. The idea of never ever again seeing an additional follow-up to this series is an unfortunate note, which in today?s marketplace is a rare statement to make. Since Hollywood seldom cherishes intelligence within this genre, we are likely to appreciate this series for a while. And regardless of any complaints with this volume, fans should be able to say that what we have witnessed over the last six months has been a true classic experience.

Lee's Grade: B+
Ranked #1 of 120 between Before Sunset (#2) and (#) for 2004 movies.

A	0.4%
B	30.0%
C	61.7%
D	8.0%
F	0.0%