Kill Bill

With a four hour run time, Kill Bill was cut into two parts released from 2003 to 2004 as an American martial arts movie. Quentin Tarantino's hit movie gained success and popularity with positive reviews flowing in from critics in the U.S and Japan.

Kill Bill: Volume 1

The movie opens up in a small church located within El Paso, Texas. A blossoming bride (Uma Thurman), known better as an ex-member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, is to wed a normal man and proceed to live on in this normal life she has dreamt of since discovering of her pregnancy. But with a jealous ex-lover (leader of the Assassination Squad), stopping the wedding for what it's worth, seems to have other plans. Bill (David Carradine), surrounded by his loyal allies, infiltrates the small church gathering and brutally murders the innocent patrons wishing to celebrate such a joyous occasion.

Leaving the best for last, Beatrix Kiddo (AKA The Bride/Black Mamba), is horrifically beaten. It is then that she claims Bill is the father of her unborn child before he shoots her in the head.

Four years pass and The Bride awakens from the coma she was placed within. Remembering of the horrific tragedies which changed the course of her life and realizing her baby is no more, a sense of vengeance falls over her. It is then that she vows to kill every member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad that contributed to the heinous acts down in El Paso, Texas.

Kill Bill: Volume 2

Released a year after the prequel, Kill Bill Vol. 2 opens in a flashback of similar happenings from the first movie. The blossoming bride prideful and moving along with her pregnancy is rehearsing her simple wedding with a handsome groom, that is until Bill and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad come along to crash the party. Bill, with quite the history with Beatrix, goes on a revenge killing spree out of jealousy and spite.

Soon after the flashback is over, we're given an insight on prime events that lead up to why The Bride was targeted for assassination and turned on by her righteous allies and ex-lover.

Revolving the legendary martial arts master, Pai Mei, Beatrix is intrigued by the stories Bill speaks of when taking her to his temple. Quickly becoming his student and being rigorously trained, Beatrix is broken down and built back up by this unnerving, ruthless and seemingly unsympathetic master. Even so he torments her with his words, Beatrix earns his respect.

With the flashbacks leading up to the present time events, The Bride is faced with Elle and Budd, two other members of the Squad that are out for her blood. And while these two are seen as mediocre obstacles placed in The Bride's way, she's determined to move through them in hopes of getting to the one man who took away her peace of mind: Bill.

Overall

I'm quite a big fan of Quentin Tarantino so it's only notable that Kill Bill ranks very high on my movie list. It's dark and fast paced so it sucks you into this very dark and twisted movie with a hint of cheesy acting and humor. I personally loved the first volume. While it's slow in the beginning, I do have my favorite scenes which involve Kuriyama Chiaki as Lucy Liu's personal guard.

I just feel like the movie had drawn out longer than it should've. What with four hours put together forcing Quentin to cut it in half, I think it dragged due to all of the fight scenes and, of course, the leading up to Bill's death. If it weren't for the gritty revenge plot and the well renowned fight scenes, I'd probably end up sleeping through it.

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