Kill Bill: Volume. 1 (2003) Movie Review

Synopsis:

The Bride (Uma Thurman), a former assassin, is shot by her employer, Bill (David Carradine). Left for dead by Bill and several other assassins, The Bride finds herself in a coma. Years later, she awakens, plotting her revenge.

Review:

After several critical successes, including Pulp Fiction (1994), acclaimed film director Quentin Tarantino attempted a revenge-driven film.

While the characters lack substantial development in Kill Bill: Volume. 1, the film’s visual style makes up for that.

Throughout the proceedings, Tarantino employs a range of visual styles. This film’s opening, as an example, takes place in black and white.

Alongside the gritty tone presented, this visual style is very distinctive. It’s also present during the film’s climactic clash at a Tokyo palace.

As a result of this style, the film’s brutal action stands out even more. Tarantino also attempts a Japanese cell-shaded animation for a flashback sequence.

As a whole, this animation style is very unique and well-animated. Despite this, some viewers may find the shift from a realistic tone to an animated one jarring.

Whilst Tarantino’s shift to cell-shaded animation may be jarring at times, his attempts at it were appreciated.

Kill Bill’s use of music is also good. Tarantino incorporates many licensed tracks to complement certain scenes.

One of these is Nancy Sinatra’s Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).

For context, it’s used during The Bride’s attempted murder during the film’s opening.

Along with the grittiness of the scene in question, the music complements it further.

Another effective track is Hotei Tomoyasu’s “Battle Without Honor or Humanity.”

Before the film’s climactic action sequence commences, the film’s villain, O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), makes her entrance.

Alongside Tarantino’s editing choices and Lucy Liu’s presence, Hotei’s catchy music makes it one of the film’s most distinctive scenes.

Speaking of Lucy Liu, her presence as O-Ren Ishii is unmistakable. She embodies O-Ren with an ice-cold demeanor, complemented by the character’s ruthlessness.

Her character’s origin also mirrors that of the protagonist, Uma Thurman’s The Bride. Each one experiences a tragedy that alters their lives.

Their final confrontation, alongside the stylistic visuals and soundtrack, is well-handled.

Though it’s short, it focuses on character rather than flashy choreography.

As they were both former friends, they exhibit more respect toward each other as the duel concludes. Even O-Ren exhibits brief moments of vulnerability toward The Bride.

Each actress, and the film's performances as a whole, are well-acted.

These are moments that make the film’s second act worth it. Where the film stumbles is during the first act.

It depends upon clunky narration and exposition to detail certain events. Though this is useful for the viewer, the film’s pacing and story suffer as a result.

This also comes across in how the dialogue is structured. They explain almost every event that is occurring or has yet to occur.

Though this may be a minor fault for some, others may find it dull. This film’s other faults relate to some of its secondary characters.

Throughout, The Bride targets former members of her assassination squad.

One of the first that the viewer is introduced to is Vivica A. Fox’s Vernita Green.

Beyond a brutal and entertaining fight between the two, there’s little substance to complement it.

Aside from learning that Vernita was a former assassin, the audience learns little else about her.

This also applies to David Carradine’s Bill and Daryl Hannah’s Elle Driver.

Michael Madsen’s Budd is also another character introduced. Each one, aside from Budd, receives a couple of short scenes.

Though this may have been intentional to lead to a sequel, some viewers may be disappointed.

Another addition to the film is one of O-Ren’s personal enforcers, Gogo Yubari (Chiaki Kuriyama).

While the actress does well displaying the character’s insanity, there’s not much else beyond this.

Despite that, she does receive an entertaining action sequence against The Bride.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Kill Bill: Volume. 1 succeeds at being a stylistic film with brutal, entertaining action sequences.

Its use of black and white, as well as distinctive cell-shaded animation, also brings the film to life. This is despite it feeling jarring at times.

Kill Bill: Volume. 1’s soundtrack also complements the events that take place.

This film’s protagonist (The Bride) and antagonist (O-Ren Ishii) are also well-handled.

Due to consistent performances from both Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu, their characters feel distinct. Each of them makes the second act the film’s most entertaining.

Aside from these positives, the clunky approach to narration and dialogue in the first act brings it down. This affects the pacing as a result.

Its side characters also lack development, which some viewers may be disappointed with.

Despite the first act faltering, fans of stylish action and Quentin Tarantino will find entertainment.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 7.5/10

Story - 7/10

Action - 8/10

Visuals - 8/10

Soundtrack - 8/10

Overall score: 7.7 out of 10