Tags
2000's, Action, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Kill Bill Vol 2, Martial Arts, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Revenge Drama, Uma Thurman
Film Title
Kill Bill Vol 2
Director
Quentin Tarantino
Starring
- Uma Thurman as The Bride/Beatrix Kiddo
- David Carradine as Bill
- Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver
- Michael Madsen as Budd
- Gordon Liu as Pai Mei
Following on from the events of Vol 1, Kill Bill Vol 2 makes for cool, stylish viewing. Whereas the first volume was focused more on action, this volume zeroes in on the dramatic and emotional undercurrent of The Bride’s journey to avenge her near death experience. It all proves for a satisfying conclusion to this revenge saga.
Having battled her way through old adversaries who turned her wedding day into a massacre, The Bride now has three people left on her kill list. These consist of Budd, Elle Driver and last but not least Bill. Along the way, she encounters someone she never thought she would see again that could change the course of her revenge filled journey. But in Tarantino’s trademark non-linear way of telling us the story, we are given bits of knowledge about some unanswered questions. We see The Bride attempting to live another life by marrying someone only to have it snatched from her, her tutelage under the cruel but rewarding Martial Arts expert Pai Mei and finally find out her real name, Beatrix Kiddo. Through flashbacks, visual references to a multitude of genres and some searing performances, Tarantino keeps us entertained whilst delivering some drama to the tale, which he pulls off very well indeed.
I’ve heard many say that Vol 1 is the better of the two and I am inclined to agree. But I still enjoyed Vol 2 because of the way Tarantino injects some poignancy into The Bride’s journey and glimpses her relentless pursuit for those who betrayed her. It may not have as much action as the first installment, but Vol 2 is equally as thrilling and absorbing as its predecessor. There still is some amazing action sequences, including a fierce duel with the one-eyed Elle in a desert trailer, that make for great viewing, especially in regards to the choreography of the fight. Other highlights are The Bride’s eventual emergence as a warrior under the teaching of Pai Mei and how it benefits her and a black and white flashback that reveals the strange relationship between The Bride and Bill. As with most of Tarantino’s movies,the kinetic and flashy editing is marvellous and complemented by another genre busting soundtrack.
The cast fill out Tarantino’s eclectic characters with impressive results. Returning as the revenge seeking Bride, Uma Thurman delivers another intense performance as we watch her relentless search for payback. Thurman also manages to deliver poignant work in the way she shows how much The Bride has lost in the past and how all of her pain has now transformed into uncontrollable rage that can’t be measured. Whether clawing her way through dirt after being buried alive or dueling with her enemies with a lethal Samurai sword, The Bride is one woman who will never give up and will kill anyone in her path. David Carradine is great as the eponymous Bill, whose betrayal has set in motion this chain of blood soaked carnage. His scenes with Thurman are extremely impressive, their showdown of wills and confessions makes for dramatic viewing to say the least. Daryl Hannah is on villainous form as the vindictive assassin Elle, her duel with The Bride provides an action filled highlight to the picture. Michael Madsen plays another of The Bride’s targets Budd, who is more than prepared for her arrival and finds an interesting way of trying to kill her.
By giving us an emotional undercurrent to the story, Tarantino succeeds in balancing brutal violence and revelations with aplomb. Vol 2 proves dramatic, startling and compulsive viewing.
Mark Walker said:
Another great write-up Vinnie. As I’m more inclined to enjoy a western than an eastern movie, I actually slightly enjoyed Vol 2 more. As a whole, though, they’re great a fantastic experience. I wonder if Tarantino will add a Vol 3. There’s really no need but he did mention it a while ago and it would be interesting.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks I agree with you taken together they are really amazing, I love how the first one focuses on the action, and the second one gives us the heart of the story.
LikeLike
cindybruchman said:
KB2 is better for me than even Pulp Fiction, although Pulp Fiction is the better film. I just loved Uma in this role. In every scene she gives a heartfelt performance that’s always stuck with me. Her busting out of the grave is amazing. Nice review, Vinnieh.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, I loved Uma as well as The Bride. She’s just such a determined, complex and kick ass character.
LikeLike
keith7198 said:
Nice post Vinnie! I never felt I gave the Kill Bill films the attention they deserved. They have been on my list of “Movies I Need to Revisit” for a while now.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, you should revisit them.
LikeLike
dirkmalcolm said:
Interesting review. I like both movies, even if they are indulgent, they are still a rollicking ride. I’m putting together a piece on the films that were inspired by Tarrantino. I think he added a new flavour to the repertoire of cinema in the 90s and you can see his influence over a diverse range of films.
You have inspired me to spottify that genre – bursting soundtrack.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, I love the diverse genres that Tarantino references in his movies.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Looking forward to reading your piece on Tarantino.
LikeLike
mikeyb @ screenkicker said:
Great stuff Vinnie. To be honest I found part 2 disappointing. It had nothing as memorable as the Bride against the Crazy 88. I still enjoyed it though
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, I understand what you mean. Out of the two films, this one focuses more on the drama than the action.
LikeLike
CinemaClown said:
The one thing with which Tarantino surprised me completely was that the ending of Vol. 1 made me expect the final battle between The Bride & Bill in Vol. 2 to be as bloody as anything… But kudos to the director for turning everything around in this film & making the finale far more heartbreaking that anyone suspected it to be. Good review.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, yeah I liked how their showdown was much more low key than a blood soaked fight.
LikeLike
alexraphael said:
You set the standards with your reviews dude. I’d probably go with the first one because of the final 30 minutes but that’s just preference.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks for the positive comment, glad to be of service.
LikeLike
sidekickreviews said:
Excellent review, I love Vol 2 as much as Vol 1 even though it didn’t have an epic battle like the Crazy 88.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, they are both impressive movies.
LikeLike
Tom said:
In my humble opinion, absolute classics. Tarantino has a lot of good stuff, but this ranks among my favorites. Nice work and thanks for bringing back memories
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the review.
LikeLike
sonea scissorhands said:
I think I enjoyed this movie more than the first, both equally great but this had more of a back story and really impressed me. Great review.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, I was impressed with the various insights into the Bride’s past.
LikeLike
chris2508 said:
Brilliant review. I couldn’t agree with your review more.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, glad you agree with me.
LikeLike
CMrok93 said:
Still not my favorite of Tarantino’s, but a pretty good film nonetheless. Definitely a bit different from the first installment, that’s for sure. Good review Vinnie.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Abbi said:
Excellent review. The Bride is probably my favourite movie character of all time. She is a raging ball of fury but also strangely vulnerable.
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, it is great how Uma Thurman captures both sides of the character so effectively.
LikeLike
Carl said:
Nice review. I’ve always preferred Vol 2 (though I love the first as well) I think mainly because I enjoy the heavier spaghetti western vibe. Watching these back to back though is one of my fav movie experiences!
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks, I watched them back to back and it was a great experience indeed.
LikeLike
snapcracklewatch said:
Love this movie, good review!
LikeLike
vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, glad you liked the review.
LikeLike
The Vern said:
I rewatched both of these movies last week and I can’t just watch one. for me this is one long movie and the journey the Bride goes through is intense and heartfelt. Uma Thurman’s character is much better in Vol 2, but she is just ‘s bad ass in Vol 1. You mention that it’s non linear. It has a flew flashbacks but I never saw it as non linear. Good stiff
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I too view them as one complete picture. Uma Thurman is just outstanding as The Bride. I do like a non-linear structure when it’s done right.
LikeLike