Check out my AAT review - Sorry not been around much recently, life is manic but will try to get bac...
Check out my AAT review - Sorry not been around much recently, life is manic but will try to get back to Ciao as soon as poss
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I am a Tarantino fan, having already reviewed Kill Bill Volume 1 I feel it is only right to continue in the same ilk. So here we go with Volume 2...
Turn on the DVD and you are presented with various scenes from the film and the usual options, Play Movie, Set Up, Scene Selection and Bonus Features.
We see the moment where the Bride is shot, then we see her explain her actions as she drives to Kill Bill. Chapter 6 - Massacre at Two Pines This chapter shows the events were all started, the Bride narrates explaining what really happened. It was during a wedding rehearsal that this massacre took place, when she goes to get some air, who should she find sitting outside but Bill. They discuss the situation and then Bill meets the groom, being introduced as the Bride's father. She seems overwhelmed to have his consent about the marriage, little does she realise that the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad are waiting outside. The next scene we see is Bill explaining the Bride's actions to a grubby looking man who lives in a caravan in the middle of the dessert. This grubby man turns out to be Bill's brother, Budd. "Them Japs' sure know how to hold a grudge don't they? Or, maybe you just bring that out in people…?"
Chapter 7 - The Lonely Grave of Paula Schultz The chapter starts with Budd going to work in his beat up truck. He refers to himself in the previous chapter as the bouncer in a kitty bar. On arrival he is called into the boss's office for a torrent of abuse followed by being sacked from his job, only after he has cleaned the toilets of course. This builds a picture of the kind of person Budd is and what his life has been since the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. When he arrives home from work, someone is waiting for him and somehow he seems to know. After shooting the Bride in the chest with a "double dose of rock salt", tranquilising her what Budd has in store is a fate far worse than death. He also takes a little time to make a deal with Elle Driver to buy the Bride's Hanzo sword for $1 million. "You're going underneath the ground tonight and that's all there is to it"
Chapter 8 - The Cruel Tutelage of Pai Mei (pronounced Pie May) We see Bill telling the
Bride a story of Pai Mei whilst playing the flute in front of an open fire somewhere in the wilderness. This is the first time we hear of the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique. Bill then leaves the Bride, who he refers to as Kiddo, to be trained by Pai Mei. She finds him a very small, frail and quite old man, after Bill's warnings this is a surprise but as soon as he opens his mouth all becomes clear. He assesses her skills and abilities by beating her up, telling her she is useless and then nearly breaking her arm, they're off to a good start. We see Kiddo learn to punch through wood from three inches away, learn Kung Fu and use chopsticks. We then flick back to the Lonely Grave of Paula Schultz and see some of these skills being used. "So, my pathetic friend, is there anything you can do well?"
Chapter 9 - Elle and I Elle drives to see Budd to collect her sword, he's ready and waiting. Meanwhile Kiddo is walking across the desert, barefoot, she watches Elle arrive to see Budd. The deal seems to have taken place but we quickly discover that Elle is a dirty dealer, she plans to leave with the money and the sword. As Elle gathers together her money, Bill calls and she tells him that Kiddo has killed Budd and she has taken care of her, unfortunately she is rudely interrupted when Kiddo has other plans. A bloody brawl ensues which reveals why Elle wears an eye patch. " I've always liked that word gargantuan and I so rarely get to use it in a sentence"
Last Chapter - Face to Face In order to locate Bill Kiddo must speak with one of Bill's many father figures. With the information she needs Kiddo sets off on the last part of her vengeance quest, but when she arrives there is a little surprise in store. The pair plan to cross Hanzo swords on Bill's private beach, but first he wants some answers, so he shoots her with truth serum. We find out about Kiddo's plans for her new life and the truth about her pregnancy, how she found out while on her way to kill someone. We see the moment she finds out she is pregnant and then Bill explains how he tracked her down and what he was thinking while she disappeared. Kiddo seems to be filled with regret but we soon see she has never been happier. "I must warn you young lady I am susceptible to flattery" "I'm a killer, I'm a murdering b*****d, you know that."
Wait after the credits for an alternate take of The Bride ripping out one of the Crazy 88's eyes
The Bride/Kiddo - Uma Thurman Elle Driver - Darryl Hannah Buck - Michael Bowen Bill - David Carradine Samuel L Jackson has a small part in Kiddo's wedding. There are then loads of extras but none of them are particularly memorable. Uma Thurman pulls off a memorable and convincing portrayal as the bride rampages on the goriest part of her revenge. Darryl Hannah is an amazing actress and I can see why she was chosen for the part. As a bitter and twisted millionaire, capable and highly likely to kill at any moment she is very believable. When Kiddo meets Elle and their inevitable fight ensues both women are truly brilliant. Micheal Bowen plays Buck the drunk down and out working minimal hours "bouncing at a kitty bar". His death although fairly quick is well portrayed. Finally David Carradine's character Bill is shown as many different roles, the leader of the DiVAS, a scorned lover and even a childish intellectual. This creates a very well rounded individual depiction. The interactions between the characters in this film is not only more interesting than in the first volume, it is also far more realistic, not that I have ever been in a similar situation. Overall the acting in this film is convincing but with the limited storyline this only gets so far.
Tarantino directed both the volumes of Kill Bill. The direction in this film is very similar to Kill Bill Volume 1, it is all very distinctive. The direction is very stylish, but the main peculiarity in the direction of this one compared to the first volume is that the story seems to be in fairly chronological order, other than a few flashbacks.
Pictures of Kill Bill Vol.2 (DVD)
1
While researching for this review I read some interesting 'Director's trademarks' (from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378194/trivia) - Once Budd is bitten by Elle's Black Mamba we see the camera through his eyes at Elle looking down at him. - The "Massacre at Two Pines" ends with the camera following The Bride down the aisle away from Bill to the altar. We then "float" away from the altar, down the aisle, past Bill, out the door to the awaiting members of the DiVAS. Once they enter, the camera cranes up off the ground where we hear the pandemonium inside the chapel until finally fading out. All in a single take
The film was produced by Lawrence Bender
The music in this film is good, but I must say I didn't think it was as atmospheric or compelling as the music in Volume 1. Robert Rodriguez scored this movie for $1. Quentin Tarantino said he would repay him by directing a segment of Rodriguez's project Sin City (2005) for $1.
More information available at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378194/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill Bill2
The film was released on 23 April 2004 The film is 136 minutes long The film is a certificate 18
The DVD features include - Setup This allows you to change the language of the film, though the options are minimal, i.e. English, English DTE or English Audio Descriptive. You can also select to have subtitles in English or in English for the hearing impaired. - Scene Selection - no surprises here - Bonus Features The Making of Kill Bill Vol 2 CHINGON performance from the Kill Bill Vol. 2 Premiere Damoe Deleted Scene None of these are very exciting, I have never really watched or enjoyed the "bonus" features added to DVDs.
The DVD is available from play.com for Ł4.99 or HMV for Ł4.99
If you enjoyed Kill Bill Volume 1 this is something you must watch, or if you liked Pulp Fiction watch the Kill Bills. Throughout the film there is bad language and scenes of violence. I didn't find these aspects of the film too offensive but for the easily upset I would not advise watching this film. The story within Kill Bill, especially volume 2, is very easy to follow. Even if you haven't seen the prequel and you will still enjoy the meaningless violence with no serious plot. I wouldn't recommend this film if you are looking for a elaborate story which will keep you captivated for the entire viewing. But if you would like to watch an epic action thriller with some very chic direction then this one is probably worth renting.
This is the type of film you should watch with mates rather than with your family members or partner. So, if you do decide that there's any part of this film that appeals to you choose who you watch it with carefully and make sure you have plenty of beers and snacks.
It has been hinted that there may be more to come from Kill Bill, a third volume where Vernita Green's daughter returns to exact her revenge. The other extension of Kill Bill which has been hinted at is an anime series of the DiVAS background, before the massacre at Two Pines.
If there is any additional information you would like or think would improve this review, please let me know. I received some criticism for my review of Kill Bill Volume 1 so I would be very glad to hear what you think of this review.
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DonMackaroni 29.09.2004 (29.09.2004)
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