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Can hardly wait till tonight 
Posted: 13:21 Apr 23 2004
Kill Bill: Volume 2
Writer: Quentin Tarantino (and according to IMDB, Uma Thurman)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah
Rated: 18
Running Time: 136 mins
Trailer: Quicktime, Various Sizes
Tagline: Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Volume 2 of Kill Bill, Quentin Tarantino’s ‘4th film’ is of course a continuation of the first film, hence it’s title as a second volume and not a sequel. However, it is a very different animal to Volume 1.
Where Volume 1 was a huge affair, with lavishly set and staged fight scenes, overly gory, almost comical violence, Volume 2 is a much more personal affair. The film, which chronicles The BrideÂ’s continuing journey to kill the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and itÂ’s leader, Bill, gets this personal feel from a variety of places. Firstly, the cast is tiny. There are two main characters and four or five supporting ones, thatÂ’s about it. The fights, while very good, are much smaller than the ones in the previous volume. People that didnÂ’t like the vast fight with the Crazy 88 in Volume 1 will be very glad at that.
As with all his films, this one breathes TarantinoÂ’s style. The dialogue, while not massively snappy (there are no particularly inspired lines), is still very good, vintage Tarantino. Fans of old martial arts films and other pulp genres will love the references to those films, while people who arenÂ’t fans of them will probably find them amusing at best, annoying at worst.
The cast is the best part of this film. Uma Thurman continues to be excellent in her role as The Bride. Michael Madsen, who is generally very good but never really soared in Hollywood, is on top form her as Budd, as is Daryl Hannah, whose name Kill Bill 2 has brought back to the forefront. Same goes for David Carradine, who is nothing short of inspired as Bill.
So, did I enjoy it? Yes I did, very much so. But I canÂ’t say it was a great film. I loved it because I really enjoy TarantinoÂ’s style, I love the way he plays with visual techniques, flashy dialogue and a whole host of other things. But itÂ’s not a great film. It is, as I think Tarantino always intended, a piece of pulp. ItÂ’s a cool, fun 2 hours, but itÂ’s the sort of thing you can watch, enjoy and then throwaway.
ThatÂ’s where Tarantino got his inspiration, thatÂ’s what he was seemingly trying to achieve, and thatÂ’s what he did achieve, so bravo.
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah
Rated: 18
Running Time: 136 mins
Trailer: Quicktime, Various Sizes
Tagline: Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Volume 2 of Kill Bill, Quentin Tarantino’s ‘4th film’ is of course a continuation of the first film, hence it’s title as a second volume and not a sequel. However, it is a very different animal to Volume 1.
Where Volume 1 was a huge affair, with lavishly set and staged fight scenes, overly gory, almost comical violence, Volume 2 is a much more personal affair. The film, which chronicles The BrideÂ’s continuing journey to kill the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and itÂ’s leader, Bill, gets this personal feel from a variety of places. Firstly, the cast is tiny. There are two main characters and four or five supporting ones, thatÂ’s about it. The fights, while very good, are much smaller than the ones in the previous volume. People that didnÂ’t like the vast fight with the Crazy 88 in Volume 1 will be very glad at that.
As with all his films, this one breathes TarantinoÂ’s style. The dialogue, while not massively snappy (there are no particularly inspired lines), is still very good, vintage Tarantino. Fans of old martial arts films and other pulp genres will love the references to those films, while people who arenÂ’t fans of them will probably find them amusing at best, annoying at worst.
The cast is the best part of this film. Uma Thurman continues to be excellent in her role as The Bride. Michael Madsen, who is generally very good but never really soared in Hollywood, is on top form her as Budd, as is Daryl Hannah, whose name Kill Bill 2 has brought back to the forefront. Same goes for David Carradine, who is nothing short of inspired as Bill.
So, did I enjoy it? Yes I did, very much so. But I canÂ’t say it was a great film. I loved it because I really enjoy TarantinoÂ’s style, I love the way he plays with visual techniques, flashy dialogue and a whole host of other things. But itÂ’s not a great film. It is, as I think Tarantino always intended, a piece of pulp. ItÂ’s a cool, fun 2 hours, but itÂ’s the sort of thing you can watch, enjoy and then throwaway.
ThatÂ’s where Tarantino got his inspiration, thatÂ’s what he was seemingly trying to achieve, and thatÂ’s what he did achieve, so bravo.
11 Replies and 8668 Views in Total.
Posted: 13:21 Apr 23 2004
To clear up the writing credit for Uma Thurman, both she and Tarantino first started to discuss the idea for the story while they were filming Pulp Fiction. Tarantino had an idea for a revenge movie and Thurman later came up with the character of The Bride and both of them progressed the tale from there.
However, both of their commitments meant that it was only in the last couple of years that they got round to bringing the concept to the screen.
Here endeth the lesson
However, both of their commitments meant that it was only in the last couple of years that they got round to bringing the concept to the screen.
Here endeth the lesson
Posted: 19:21 Apr 23 2004
To be honest these films could have worked as one film theres a lot of fluff in it.
I thought the second part was overlong compared to the first and contemplated walking out of the cinema a few times.
I thought the second part was overlong compared to the first and contemplated walking out of the cinema a few times.
Posted: 22:49 Apr 24 2004
1. Some people didn't like the Crazy 88 fight scene?!? Who? Why? Can they recieve help of any kind? It was a great piece of cinema and ends with one of the few Pulp-Fiction-esque lines in the film.
2. Personally, I don't think you can treat the two volumes as seperate films (and I'm consequently regreting foolishly rushing out to buy Volume 1 on release instead of waiting for the inevitable combined disk). While different in emphasis, this is no more so than the shift between action-back story-character progression that occurs in all great films.
3. To me, this is a great film. Probably Tarantino's best yet (which with 2 classics and 1 good film prior to this is high praise indeed). The use of film styles, pace, and dialogue make this a rivetting watch that never insults, never sags and continues to amaze. The use of Manga style animation in the first half was inspired and worked beautifully. The Bride's rebirth in the second half, the whole piece with The Bride and Bill 'reunited' and the Crazy 88 fight scene are perfectly worked, emotionally and mentally stimulating and bloody good fun to boot. There is nothing, personally, I felt should have been left on the editting floor, or at least tightened up, and I don't often leave the cinema feeling that way about a film.
4. My understanding is that the film is an adaptation of a graphic novel called The Bride? I only mention this because it seems at odds to Whistler's post above. Am I wrong? Or do the two tie-up? Anyone able to help?
5. Lists are the new Rock n Roll
(Edited by Jayjay 04/09/2004 06:48)
2. Personally, I don't think you can treat the two volumes as seperate films (and I'm consequently regreting foolishly rushing out to buy Volume 1 on release instead of waiting for the inevitable combined disk). While different in emphasis, this is no more so than the shift between action-back story-character progression that occurs in all great films.
3. To me, this is a great film. Probably Tarantino's best yet (which with 2 classics and 1 good film prior to this is high praise indeed). The use of film styles, pace, and dialogue make this a rivetting watch that never insults, never sags and continues to amaze. The use of Manga style animation in the first half was inspired and worked beautifully. The Bride's rebirth in the second half, the whole piece with The Bride and Bill 'reunited' and the Crazy 88 fight scene are perfectly worked, emotionally and mentally stimulating and bloody good fun to boot. There is nothing, personally, I felt should have been left on the editting floor, or at least tightened up, and I don't often leave the cinema feeling that way about a film.
4. My understanding is that the film is an adaptation of a graphic novel called The Bride? I only mention this because it seems at odds to Whistler's post above. Am I wrong? Or do the two tie-up? Anyone able to help?
5. Lists are the new Rock n Roll
(Edited by Jayjay 04/09/2004 06:48)
Posted: 05:18 May 31 2004 
In the credits at the end of the film it says "Based on the character 'The Bride' created by Q & U". This at first made me think it was based on a comic (maybe your brain made the same link as mine), but I'd never heard of Q & U comics. I then thought it may have stood for Quentin and Uma, but then I kinda dismissed that cos I figured they would have just put their names if it was. But Whistler's post would indeed confirm that.
by Jayjay
4. My understanding is that the film is an adaptation of a graphic novel called The Bride? I only mention this because it seems at odds to Whistler's post above. Am I wrong? Or do the two tie-up? Anyone able to help?
Anyhoo, I've actually just got back from seeing this, and I thought it rocked. I loved the very down-played and rather emotional ending. After all the way OTT fight scenes and blood of Vol. 1, this was really the best way to make the ending stand out, rather than trying to have an even more elaborate fight scene.
Posted: 18:43 May 31 2004
Well .. being twins .. that would kinda make sense. And yeah, been googlnig and its clear that Q & U are Quentin and Uma, though I've just been reading an interview with Uma where she pretty much passes on the credit and that she just pestered him for a decade to follow up on an idea he came up with for about a decade. Which I'm sure is just modesty on her part...
Anyway, realised I left something out above - Mai Pei! How cool!
Anyway, realised I left something out above - Mai Pei! How cool!
Posted: 19:56 May 31 2004 
just watched it and all i can say is 'wow'. that is one of the best films i have seen for a while. it all ran together perfectly, and the ending was a surprise, sa i wasnt expecting it to happen the way it did.
Posted: 21:23 Aug 19 2004
Loved vol 1! Superb, slick, funny, cartoony - the anime bit was gorgeous and felt so RIGHT!
Vol 2....did we all see the same film? I was drinking double strength extra Wicked cider all through the film (Dont knock it, its cheaper than Windolene) and usually this inebriated state helps me enjoy a film even more. Sadly even the cider couldn't save my boredom and with what seemed like 15 minutes to go I went to bed. No I didnt see the ending, and I was so bored by then I didnt want to know.
Mayybe one day i'll get round to watching it. Basically I think it was Bill himself in the final scenes that bored me to tears.
Maybe i'll try red wine and rose tinted glasses next time and that might make it better.
(Edited by Funky Monkey 25/11/2004 16:37)
Vol 2....did we all see the same film? I was drinking double strength extra Wicked cider all through the film (Dont knock it, its cheaper than Windolene) and usually this inebriated state helps me enjoy a film even more. Sadly even the cider couldn't save my boredom and with what seemed like 15 minutes to go I went to bed. No I didnt see the ending, and I was so bored by then I didnt want to know.
Mayybe one day i'll get round to watching it. Basically I think it was Bill himself in the final scenes that bored me to tears.
Maybe i'll try red wine and rose tinted glasses next time and that might make it better.
(Edited by Funky Monkey 25/11/2004 16:37)
Posted: 16:37 Nov 25 2004 
Ooh, a bit harsh, don't you think? Try watching the ending, I really liked it but in retrospect I can see why some people might see it as an anti-climax after the 1st one... *shrug*
by Funky Monkey
Vol 2....did we all see the same film?
...Maybe i'll try red wine and rose tinted glasses next time and that might make it better.
Posted: 17:37 Nov 25 2004
Depends what you want from the film. I know lots of people who love KBI, mainly for the pace and the action. The whole point of KBII is the slowing down of the vengeance as Kiddo starts to regain her humanity, culminating in her rebirth thanks to Budd. Hence if you're wanting Kill Bill I part II, you're going to be disappointed and bored. If you can see the humour, and enjoy the suspense, and the plot development/explanations, then, like me, you're going to love the second half of this classic film.
But I think my evil twin summed it up best earlier:
"Anyhoo, I've actually just got back from seeing this, and I thought it rocked. I loved the very down-played and rather emotional ending. After all the way OTT fight scenes and blood of Vol. 1, this was really the best way to make the ending stand out, rather than trying to have an even more elaborate fight scene."
(Edited by Jayjay 02/01/2005 22:43)
But I think my evil twin summed it up best earlier:
"Anyhoo, I've actually just got back from seeing this, and I thought it rocked. I loved the very down-played and rather emotional ending. After all the way OTT fight scenes and blood of Vol. 1, this was really the best way to make the ending stand out, rather than trying to have an even more elaborate fight scene."
(Edited by Jayjay 02/01/2005 22:43)
Posted: 22:42 Jan 02 2005 Obviously not
by Funky Monkey
Vol 2....did we all see the same film?
Posted: 23:14 Jan 02 2005