Alright, kiddies, here’s the thrilling conclusion to the ultimate story of revenge. Or rather, the review of the thrilling conclusion to the ultimate story of revenge. And Quentin, you’re a genius. On these movies anyway. For those who didn’t bother reading my review of volume one (you should be ashamed!), this movie (and review) is really just a continuation of that. It still stars all the same people, is still written and directed by that genius Quentin Tarantino ...]]>

Ultimate conclusion of revenge thrilling, and such things.

Alright, kiddies, here’s the thrilling conclusion to the ultimate story of revenge. Or rather, the review of the thrilling conclusion to the ultimate story of revenge. And Quentin, you’re a genius. On these movies anyway. For those who didn’t bother reading my review of volume one (you should be ashamed!), this movie (and review) is really just a continuation of that. It still stars all the same people, is still written and directed by that genius Quentin Tarantino and also co-written and starring Uma Thurman. This movie, however, was never meant to have two portions. So the very beginning of volume two is a little jerky to get started, and if you haven’t seen the first volume, I guarantee you’ll be more than a little confused, because Tarantino doesn’t spend any time explaining the previous movie except in a small excerpt where the Bride talks about the “roaring rampage of revenge” that was the previous movie. But, I think that Tarantino was under the assumption that the only people willing to watch volume two would had to have watched and enjoyed volume one.

Plot

The same as volume one, only this time, the Bride (AKA Beatrix Kiddo, you get to know the name this time!) is finishing her quest of revenge. You also get some insight into what happened that inspired the revenge. The beginning of the movie actually shows the entire scene of the wedding rehearsal in which Bill and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad brutally murdered everyone in the chapel (every one, but one of course). Also in the plot of volume two, you get to meet the Bride’s daughter who was assumed dead until the last words of volume one, leaving one hell of a cliffhanger. The only unfortunate thing about the plot in this movie is the final showdown between Bill and Beatrix. That showdown seemed a little short. They didn’t even get a chance to cross Hanzo swords, it was just a five second mini battle where Beatrix did the “five point palm exploding heart technique” that she learned from the reclusive Pai Mei. So over all, the final fight scene was both awesome and disappointing. But oh well, the rest of the movie leading up to that was great.

Visual

The visuals in volume two are quite similar to those in volume one. There are still black and white scenes, although the quantity of these moments is severely reduced in volume two. Other key imagery includes the plucking of Elle Driver’s (Darrel Hannah) one good eye, and the black mamba left in the case full of money (Budd’s demise, in case you were wondering). But this volume really was a touch disappointing in the way of key imagery, as there just seemed to be a shortage. It seemed much more like a run of the mill movie instead of a Quentin Tarantino that it really is. But like I mentioned before, this movie was never intended to have two volumes, it was just too long for one movie. It’s perhaps unfortunate that both movies could not be balanced because of the necessary split.

Audio

The soundtrack here is even better than the first volume, which is saying a whole lot because the music in volume one is so excellent that I need new pants just thinking about it. But I digress. The sound effects are also excellent, in the scene were Beatrix is buried alive, the sound of her punching the top of the makeshift “coffin” is so realistic that you can really believe you’re buried alive with her. Sorry, don’t mean to give away some of the movie, but it’s so cool that I just had to mention it.

Acting

Same as before. Although the actors in this one are generally more talented than those in volume one, it’s all still on the same level as the prior. Bill, played by David Carradine, is by far the best acted character, and most certainly the most creative and genuine. Uma still did an excellent job, and just as in volume one she really kicked some serious ass and handled a samurai sword like no blonde woman ever has before (unless it’s my “samurai sword” get it? My wife is blonde! Ha!).

Summary

So, in all reality, this volume just isn’t quite as good as before, but that’s most likely just a victim of splitting the movie in two. This volume is much less gory and bloody than the first volume, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Although that makes the movie more suitable for younger viewers, it also kind of condemns the movie, as the excessive blood and gore in the first volume really added a sense of comedy to the film (strange though that may seem). Does this movie conclude in a satisfying way? You better believe it. But I do believe that some more steps could have been taken to make the second half more balanced to the first, to help with a little bit of continuity.

4 points out of the “five point palm exploding heart technique”

Quentin Tarantino, you genius, you’ve outdone yourself again. Just like Reservoir Dogs outdid Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction outdid Reservoir Dogs, this fantastic tale outdid even Pulp Fiction. And that’s saying an awful lot. Because Pulp Fiction is the shit. Yeah. Anyway, back to the review. From the very first scene of this movie right until the gripping cliffhanger at the very end, you will be ...]]>

If you don’t understand the humor behind it all, take that stick out of your ass and try again.

Quentin Tarantino, you genius, you’ve outdone yourself again. Just like Reservoir Dogs outdid Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction outdid Reservoir Dogs, this fantastic tale outdid even Pulp Fiction. And that’s saying an awful lot. Because Pulp Fiction is the shit. Yeah. Anyway, back to the review. From the very first scene of this movie right until the gripping cliffhanger at the very end, you will be captivated through the entire flick. Starring and written by Uma Thurman, written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, and also starring Lucy Lui and Vivica A. Fox, this fascinating tale of revenge and remarkable constitution will drop kick you in the nuts and keep you wondering, all the while knowing. I know that didn’t make a whole lot of sense if you haven’t seen the movie, but if you have then you know precisely what I’m talking about.

Plot

In a desperate quest for revenge, the Bride (sorry, you have to wait till volume two to learn her real name.) as played by Uma Thurman, tears shreds into her old accomplices (and their bodyguards) until the very end of the movie. Of course, since this is only volume 1, she doesn’t get to complete her quest in this movie, but the journey itself is what is most spectacular. Broken down into several thoroughly rearranged chapters, the Bride procures a samurai sword, and kills the shit out of Lucy Lui’s character, has a somewhat epic fight and destroys Vivica A. Fox’s character–all the while fulfilling the sadistic death list of all those who wronged her. This film is Quentin’s homage to Bruce Lee era films, so the plot is laid out similarly to those, while still retaining a creative effect that only Quentin can produce.

Visual

Get ready for slightly comical blood and gore, because this movie has no shortage of either. In fact, there is a scene where the Bride is literally bathing in the watery blood of dozens of deceased (and maimed) samurai sword-wielding crazy-ass Japanese. In the story of Lucy Lui’s character O-Ren Ishii, the movie lapses into a fantastic Japanese animation sequence that was really stunning, and fit perfectly into the feel of the movie. During the massacre of the Crazy 88, the film drops into black and white, allowing for a fascinating cinematography affect the likes of which I have not seen in many years. Anytime the Bride sees someone who wronged her on her “wedding day,” shes shown in red to emphasize her fierce anger and hatred, and you know that person is going to die.

Audio

Only Tarantino can use such seemingly obscure music, and blend it all so perfectly into a movie. The song Twisted Nerve will haunt your dreams. Anyway, I strongly recommend procuring this movie’s soundtrack, whether legally or not is no concern of mine, but it’s really worth buying. Every song is completely different than every other, and yet it blends so well that you can’t even tell the songs aren’t even similar until you’re listening to the soundtrack separate from the movie. The sound effects are also fantastic, and you don’t need 5.1 to appreciate them, but it does make a really big difference.

Acting

Does this movie have any flawed acting? Absolutely not. The Bride is so perfectly convincing that you can almost believe it really happened. Bill is played better than anyone else, even though you never get to see his face, not even a little (at least not until volume two). Even Lucy Lui did a mentionable job here. Where often her roles can be very flat or staccato; she did an excellent job, and even wielded a sword very impressively. Uma really kicked some ass with her samurai sword, too.

Summary

This is one of the best and most unique movies to come out in years, and will probably remain so for quite some time. Get ready to be impressed, because this movie is truly fantastic. Quentin really is a genius for creating this, and special props to Uma for writing, because she and Quentin wrote this right after finishing Pulp Fiction. So here’s the final word: if you haven’t already seen this, you better or I will personally come to your house and beat you with a hose until you do. That’s right. Bitch.  5 out of 5 stars.