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Harry's nearly better now but I've got swine flu now :(
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I do love watching films, and I am keen on seeing a variety of genres, from children's film, to comedies and also action films too, well variety is the spice of life as they say! So when my fiance suggested a couple of years ago we sit together and watch his new DVDs which were called "Kill Bill" I was quite keen...until he told me they were incredibly violent. Now, I do like a good action movie but not too much gore or gratutious violence thanks. Still, I decided to give it a go, and since then the Kill Bill films have worked their way up and are now 2 of my favourite films of all time. Kill Bill 2 was on the telly the other night, and of course I had to watch it...again!
As you can tell from its title, this is the second movie of the 2 volume Kill Bill films, made by the talented Quentin Tarantino. The first film, Kill Bill Vol. 1 was released in 2003, and followed in 2004 by its conclusion, Kill Bill Vol. 2. In order to understand this review, I'll give a brief recap of what happened in the first film. Uma Thurman plays The Bride, a woman who was shot at her wedding by a group of assassins led by Bill. She was targeted because she left the group, and when she wakes up from a 4 year coma, she decides it is time to get revenge for the death of fiance, friends and unborn child. So she kills O-Ren Ishii and Vernita Green, 2 of the assassins and sets about finding Bill and his other two partners-in-crime Budd and
Elle.
This is where Vol. 2 picks up. The Bride has managed to eliminate half of the group, but they are onto her. Still, she is determined to get revenge for ruining her life and taking away her lover and baby. But is she going to be able to track down both Budd and Elle and kill them both? And more importantly is she going to be able to track down the man who created this mess for The Bride - Bill?
As with the first film, the story is told through a series of flashbacks and current action, which works so well for the film because of the intricate storyline. This films actually starts with the mass murder of The Bride's family and friends, and near execution of The Bride herself. This is shot in black and white, giving it a really artistic feel and therefore manages to separate itself from the horror of the rest of the film. The switching between black and white footage, and then back into colour seems to be a love of Tarantino's, and he also used this technique in the first film as well and it also worked perfectly there as well.
But I feel the real talent in this, and the previous film, lies in the way Tarantino has built up this story and has included such graphic violence yet makes it work for the viewer. The film chops and changes constantly from a calm flashback to The Bride's earlier life with Bill, her training with kung-fu Grand Master Pai Mei to Samurai sword fights which in themselves are amazing to watch. Allowing us a glimpse into The bride's previous life allows you to both pity her and understand why she is wanting these people dead, although it isn't something I'd encourage myself of course! You are allowed to support her and hate Bill and his assassins and this really makes the film so watchable. Tarantino puts his own unique slant on the film by separating the films scenes into Chapters, each individually titled. This provides continuity from the first film, and makes it a little different from other films!
I can't really write this review without mentioning a comparison to Vol. 1 because they really are a 2 part set. One major thing I must say is how vastly different they are, despite the fact that the fact that Vol. 2 is a direct follow on from Vol. 1. The first film is much more violent than its sequel. It has a great visual impact upon the viewer, with many violent fighting scenes and deaths. This perhaps shows the initial rage of The Bride, with the violence capturing her mood, and therefore in the second film her character has evolved, she is much more cool and collected, and much more determined to fulfill her request to kill Bill. Kill Bill 2 is much more storyline-driven, with many flashbacks included giving us a look into her past, her relationship with Bill, and therefore engaging the viewers with The Bride.
Uma Thurman is fantastic in her role of The Bride. The pregnant woman we see at the start of the film is such a stark contrast to the killer she portrays throughout the rest of the film, but Thurman embraces each of these roles fully, and completely carries the film. She is clearly very fit, having a great fight scene with Darryl Hannah (Elle Driver), and is just a joy to watch on screen. David Carradine plays baddie Bill perfectly, with a real charm and confidence to his acting and works well on-screen with Thurman, especially towards the end of the film. Darryl Hannah stars again in this film as one-eyed woman Elle Driver, a real hard b**ch who is Bill's latest woman, and Michael Madsen stars as Bill's brother Budd, and next on The Bride's death list! It is a great cast who work together fantastically on screen and really create an atmosphere of fear, violence and revenge to their viewers.
This film is, and will remain, one of the best action films of all time in my opinion. Tarantino has really created 2 films which take its viewer of a journey with its main character from fear, sorrow, and revenge, with Thurman heading up a fantastic cast. The second film is certainly much calmer and more storyline driven than its predecessor but this is almost a welcome relief from all the blood and gore of Vol. 1! The Bride's past life allows the viewer to involve themselves deeper with the story, and the artistic black and white shots really gives the film another more innocent dimension, particularly at the start. The whole film is beautifully shot, even to the credits which are done in a very artistic way with a powerful soundtrack which emphasises the emotions throughout the movie. It is a real journey, a rollercoaster which you don't want to get off, and I for one loved this film. It is definitely a must-see, but obviously after you've seen Volume 1 first!
The film was released in 2004 in the UK. Written by Quentin Tarantino and Uma Thurman, Directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film obviously carries an 18 certificate due to violence, language, and themes. Running time is 136 minutes / 2 hours 16 minutes. The DVD is available on Amazon for £4.98 as a single DVD, or you can buy the Volumes 1 and 2 boxset for £8.98, much better value!
Main Cast: Uma Thurman ... Beatrix Kiddo - The Bride, 'Black Mamba' David Carradine ... Bill - 'Snake Charmer' Chia Hui Liu ... Pai Mei (as Gordon Liu) Michael Madsen ... Budd - 'Sidewinder' Daryl Hannah ... Elle Driver Christopher Allen Nelson ... Tommy Plympton (as Chris Nelson) Samuel L. Jackson... Rufus Bo Svenson ... Reverend Harmony Lucy Liu ... O-Ren Ishii (archive footage) Vivica A. Fox ... Vernita Green (archive footage)
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DonMackaroni 29.09.2004 (29.09.2004)
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Review of Kill Bill Vol.2 (DVD)
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