I don't think I will buy it, because I'm not the kind of guy who wants to watch 20-minute fight scenes over and over, but ---
WOW! I really enjoyed watching this movie, more than I ever thought I would. I took my nephews, knowing they would dig it, but I was surprised at how much it drew me in. For once, I wasn't bothered by style over substance because there was so much tension and energy in every shot. I walked out of the theatre believing that one woman with a sword could defeat 88 ninjas.
The movie uses mindless violence as punch lines.
I personally don't mind violence in any movie as long as it is not used to glorify the violence for no other sake than entertainment.
I don't know what put me off this movie more, either the fact that the director intended the insane violence to be funny, or because there were actually a few adults in the theater that actually laughed at it.
If you like looking at really cool, posed camera shots then watch it. As a movie it just totally blows. (To paraphrase JB: any movie with Uma Thurman that bores me to tears is not a good movie.)
I thought that this movie was Tarantino's masterpiece. Pure style. It's like a virtuoso performance by a movie director - everything Tarantino would want in a movie, done to perfection.
I thought the movie was a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to Vol. 2. I wouldn't refer to it as high-art cinema. But I had a good time watching it and I will watch it again.
As far as buying the DVD, I would say wait. This initial release is really a bare-bones release. There isn't much in lines of extras, I think just a documentary on the making of, and no commentary to speak of. If I understand correctly, there will be a bigger release after the bare-bone of Vol. 2 is released in the fall. So rent now, decide if you like it, then go for the extras later.
"This film is all style, if you don't get it you won't like it."
I "got it" while I was watching it. It is all style...no writing...no acting...just "style." I "got it." And unlike QT's other movies, it just...plain...sucked.
This message has been edited by jstockwell on Apr 5, 2004 3:29 PM
I will most definitely be picking up the dvd before I go see v.2.
I've already read reviews on v.2 that were made from Tarantino's private screening a while back. There were three reviews and all positive. They mentioned that there's not as much gore in the second installmemt and much more of the trademark Tarantino dialogue.
They even said that after the screening, the audience gave him a standing ovation...
You may have to login to see it, since it's archived. But it's free.
Here's how it starts:
"You cut through the hype and the wait and the two-part serialization, you cut through the B-movie references and blood-soaked corpses (which have already been pretty well cut through), and what you see is this: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a feast of bravura filmmaking, thoroughly engaging and unique in even its most derivative elements. You can debate just how shallow it is, but after that, ask yourself if it even matters.
"You could look at Quentin Tarantino's fourth movie as a..." More at the link.
They give it an A-.
And here's the links to the reviews of volume 2 (all from Ain't It Cool News):
Edited to add the reviews for volume 1.
Edited because the board code screwed up the first links after I edited.
Edited again to add dallas Morning News review and fix messed up links again.
This message has been edited by kossori on Apr 5, 2004 4:06 PM This message has been edited by kossori on Apr 5, 2004 3:51 PM This message has been edited by kossori on Apr 5, 2004 3:49 PM
People either love this film or hate it. There's generally no in-between. I fall in the "Loved it" category. Thought it was a fantastic film and I can't wait for Volume 2 in two weeks. That said, I'd wait to buy it (like others said) until Volume 1 & 2 are released as a set. Rent the movie first. Buy it later in the year when it's released in an extras laden package with both films.
Not to be contrarian, but I'm one of those "in-betweeners".
I liked the movie for the most part, but I felt that if QT had actually made use of his editor, we wouldn't have needed a vol 1 and 2. We would have just had KILL BILL.
There was no reason for that 20 minute anime sequence. O-Ren's a bad ass...right...got it...he managed to show the audience that with the beheading scene. And that long, drawn-out sequence about the sword? Cut it all, and whatever unnecessary dross he left in Vol 2, and you've got a kick ass 3 hour chop sockey revenge flick.
