The Weird and The Wacky Meet

Where YouBetIAm comes to write….

Kill Bill Volume 2:  Pointless Violence or Entertaining Fun?

Independent film junkies, martial arts fan, and good old-fashioned movie buffs have waited seven months to see the conclusion of Quentin Tarantino’s fourth film, Kill Bill, a movie in two parts about one woman’s quest for revenge.  Has it been worth the wait?

                 In this reviewer’s opinion, the long months between the first and second halves of the movie only enhance the experience.  At first glance, the first volume seemed like nothing more than two hours of unrelenting brutal but stylized violence.  The reality is that there was a subtle plot overshadowed by all the action.  While we waited, we were compelled to contemplate the motives of Uma Thurman’s character, known only as “The Bride”.  We did so in a factual vacuum, deprived of even knowing her name, much less why she wants to kill Bill.

                 The first half ended with a fight scene that embraces the true meaning of feminism.  Two warriors end up in battle and their sex is an afterthought.  It’s not a cat fight or foxy boxing, with scantily clad women hitting each other ineffectually for our entertainment.  Rather, it is a martial art, and Lucy Liu and Uma Thurman are the artists who showcase the violent craft.

                 Throughout the second half, this odd ideal of equality is continued.  The Bride continues to transcend her sex role, refusing to be limited in any way by gender or even by her rejection of its stereotypes.  She doesn’t allow herself to be defined simple-mindedly as a mere victim of rape or as a mother.   Such events only offer her the opportunity to decide for herself how she should react, providing the character with deeper motivations.

                 You see, the real star of the film is the Bride’s character development.  Her transformation from the beginning of the first volume to the second is a pleasure to watch.  Tarantino’s exploration of this transformation is what brings the viewer into the movie emotionally, preventing it from degenerating into numbing, meaningless violence.  In the end, it’s very easy to understand why the Bride does what she does.

                 Do not go into the theater looking for the same reckless gore as the first half of the movie.  There is still the same Asian martial arts influence, and phenomenally pretty fight scenes, but the shock value of violence has been supplemented by the shock of actually caring about characters who are unrepentant killers.

                 Don’t get me wrong, there are scenes in this movie that are messy and gory, hiding Thurman’s beauty under a layer of filth.  There is one scene in particular that will linger in the unpleasant dreams of anyone who suffers from even a hint of claustrophobia.  This movie earns its R rating and is not one you’d necessarily want to take kids to.

                 While first half was set largely in Japan and the second takes place mostly in the American West, but there is much stylistic overlap.  Samurai swords are mostly replaced by guns, but the two genres blend together seamlessly, knocking us from the complacency of our expectations.

                 It’s hard to discuss Kill Bill: Volume 2 without gushing.  It was a wonderful movie, and Tarantino should be proud.  If I had more than five thumbs up to give it, I would.

5 out of 5

Copyright 2004

Uma Loves Her Sword

By Amanda Evans

Originally Published 05/06/04