Not great, no. Kill Bill Volume 1 is a very fine piece of entertainment. The visuals are often brilliant, a notable example being the transition into anime. Tarantino splashes blood like paint, and has no qualms about full-on decapitation and dismemberment. There are gruesome parts, parts that make you squirm. But mainly, it's the acrobatic kung-fu and self-conscious visuals (lights go out for no reason other than style, for instance) that keep you entertained. The script is nothing special. There are clever parts, like the way some characters are built up, and Tarantino once again plays around with the timeline to good effect. But the acting doesn't draw you in. It doesn't seem that Tarantino particularly wants you to care about these characters. So, the film certainly has a unique appeal, and is certainly worth watching. But, it's too long. Perhaps Volume 2 will prove otherwise, but Kill Bill seems an exercise in style and entertainment, and on that level it clearly succeeds, but it's doubtful whether it'll leave a lasting impression.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
(2003)
Cinematic excess -- slick, stylish, clever, entertaining; but great?
20 January 2004
Game of Death II
(1980)
Shambolic - the most entertaining film in existence
10 January 2004
I'll just say that the film is constructed so poorly that it is outrageously funny. I watched it with friends, and I recommend everyone does the same. If you have even half of a sense of humour, you'll be laughing for literally 80% of the film.
Everything about the film is wrong: trying to resurrect Bruce Lee with scraps of footage and a guy that "kinda" looks like him; having a man dress up as a lion and go toe to toe with the lead character; having sets that belong in a star trek episode; having jesus play the bad duy. The best/worst parts are the "twists," which are so inconsequential they needn't have bothered. The makers could not have made a funnier film had they tried. Any film that includes the line: "I may be a jung-fu master, but I need cash!" must be essential viewing.
Everything about the film is wrong: trying to resurrect Bruce Lee with scraps of footage and a guy that "kinda" looks like him; having a man dress up as a lion and go toe to toe with the lead character; having sets that belong in a star trek episode; having jesus play the bad duy. The best/worst parts are the "twists," which are so inconsequential they needn't have bothered. The makers could not have made a funnier film had they tried. Any film that includes the line: "I may be a jung-fu master, but I need cash!" must be essential viewing.
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