Kill Bill Vol. 1

An empty premise, ridiculously unrealistic violence and breathtaking martial arts sequences are what make “Kill Bill Vol. 1” a unique, flavorful action flick that couldn’t give viewers a more entertaining package. Director Quentin Tarantino pays major homage to the 70’s Kong Fu flicks at the same time taking a fresh approach with it’s constant use of black and white color schemes to filter the gruesome violence that overlaps nearly every scene.

The film reunites one of the industries most controversial directors, Tarantino, and the gorgeous Uma Thurman (“Pulp Fiction”), who are actually good pals off the set. A funny thing, Tarantino gave the script to Thurman as a birthday gift and seeing the depths the actress has gone with the character of ‘The Bride’, it’s merely impossible to imagine anyone else playing the part.

One of the most stunning scenes in any motion picture to date is that showcasing the gruesome battle between ‘The Bride’ and a ruthless group known as the ‘Crazy 88’. The only logical way “Kill Bill Vol. 1” made it past the MPAA with an R-rating rather than an NC-17 is the use of grey tones that are clearly meant to mask the sheer brutality in this particular scene consisting of gallons of blood, severed limbs and extremely graphic wounds.

The score is clever, but vastly unusual. At various points, the background music doesn’t seem to fit with any of the scenes in which it’s used, but the instrumentals are fun and really get you pumped for the coming action scenes.

Lacking any real plot, “Kill Bill Vol. 1” is forced to work entirely off of the performances of the actors. While there’s a great supporting cast at work, not one of them stands out against Uma Thurman and her portrayal as ’The Bride’. All of her traits are dead-on with her character and in that case, the viewer couldn’t possibly ask for more.

While the excessive gore is sure to scare a considerable amount of viewers away, fans of Tarantino and cheesy martial arts flicks are sure to fall in love with “Kill Bill Vol. 1”. It’s a slick, innovative and outrageously funny in all the right places. This is a definite must see!