CompleteMartialArts.com - Kill Bill - Volume One
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List Price: $14.99
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Manufacturer: Miramax
Starring: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine
Directed By: Quentin Tarantino
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: THURMAN,UMA
EAN: 0786936226997
Format: Anamorphic
Label: Miramax
Manufacturer: Miramax
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Miramax
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2004-04-13
Running Time: 111
Studio: Miramax
Theatrical Release Date: 2003-10-10
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Editorial Reviews:
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The Bride, a former member the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad seeks revenge for the death of her groom and unborn child at the hands of her associates.
Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: R
Release Date: 25-JAN-2005
Media Type: DVD
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Kill Bill Vol. 1: The Bride's Revenge
Comment: WARNING: This review contains spoilers!
Note: In my summary of the plot I have put the film's story into chronological order so that events unfold sequentially. This is not the order in which the events of the film are actually shown.
Quentin Tarantino (director of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction) has often been called one of the most violence-obsessed filmmakers in America, a title that he would occasionally protest. Now we can see why he would have objected to it, he simply hadn't earned that honor yet. But let it be known to all that Quentin Tarantino, or Q.T. as he sometimes refers to himself, is now an official auteur of the action film. His bloody kung fu saga, Kill Bill, is proof of this. Here he pays homage to his favorite exploitation films of the `70s and `80s* with the giddy enthusiasm of a teenaged fanboy.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 tells the story of The Bride, a former assassin with the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (DiVAS), who is brutally attacked and left for dead during her wedding rehearsal by her ex boss/lover Bill. The Bride loses everything and everyone she cares about including her husband-to-be, her friends and her unborn child. After being shot in the head by Bill himself, The Bride sinks into a coma and awakens four whole years later. While she was comatose a hospital nurse sold her body to perverts who would have sex with her. On the day of her resurrection she kills the nurse and the creep who paid to have his way with her, thus beginning a cycle of cold bloody revenge. Her targets: Bill and every one of the Deadly Vipers. Her goal: Kill `em all. Her mission begins with a trip to Japan where she asks the legendary sword maker, Hattori Hanzo, to give her "Japanese steel". He refuses saying that he no longer makes instruments of death but when she explains that only his swords are up to the task of killing Bill, who was once Hanzo's student therefore making him partially responsible for Bill's wicked deeds, then he agrees to make her his finest sword, a katana with no equal. He also warns her that before her journey for revenge can begin that she must be sure that she will not falter no matter what. The Bride then leaves with her new weapon and prepares for an epic battle with O-Ren Ishii, a half Japanese, half Chinese, Asian American who's become the leader of a powerful yakuza crime syndicate.
When O-Ren was just a young girl she witnessed the horrible murders of her father and mother and she vowed revenge. At the age of twelve she fulfilled her desire for blood when she slew the man responsible. She quickly became one of the youngest and deadliest assassins in the world, which is why Bill took her under his wing.
After an amazing showdown with O-Ren and her sword-wielding gang, The Bride hunts down #2 on her list of people to kill, Vernita Green. The Bride and Vernita engage in vicious hand-to-hand combat (with a brief intermission when Vernita's young daughter comes home from school) before Vernita meets her doom before the eyes of her young daughter. But things are never as simple as they seem and "Revenge is never a straight line." While The Bride continues on her journey to kill Bill, we learn of a secret that may be her undoing: her daughter, the child that she believed to be dead when she was assaulted on the day of her wedding rehearsal four years earlier, is still alive and living with her daddy, Bill.
Some Tarantino fans have complained that this film is a departure from his dialogue-driven serio-comedies about charismatic criminals and lowlifes, but even as this is true Kill Bill is a definitive Tarantino film. Darkly humorous, graphically violent and as irreverent as always, his films polarize, provoke, and entertain audiences, which is why Kill Bill is quintessentially Quentin.
The film is rounded out by a terrifically diverse cast including Uma Thurman as The Bride, Lucy Liu as O-Ren Ishii, Vivica A. Fox as Vernita Green, Michael Madsen as Budd, Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver, David Carradine as Bill, and Sonny Chiba as Hattori Hanzo.
The DVD is a must-have for Tarantino fans, however be warned that a more elaborate DVD release may be on the way. Special features include the Making of Kill Bill featurette, two musical performances by the 5,6,7,8s and trailers for Tarantino's other films.
* Here are some of the films and television shows that inspired Q.T. to make Kill Bill:
Once Upon a Time in the West
Bruce Lee Ultimate Collection
Lone Wolf and Cub Box Set
Fox in a Box - Featuring Pam Grier
Lady Snowblood
Yakuza Graveyard
Charlie's Angels - The Complete First Season
Shogun Assassin
Shadow Warriors - The Complete First Season
Customer Rating:
Summary: Bon appetit, good buddy...
Comment: -The greatest pure action flick ever made-
This is the cinematic weapon of mass destruction, the dream girl orgie of film ecstasy, the Tiger Woods of action-driven movie mania. Kill Bill is in a class all its own, an experience like you've never witnessed before. Tarantino pays homage to many of his favorite films, directors, and genres while incorporating his own distinct style. I'll use my W.U.S.S.training (Whiteboys Understanding Samurai Sensibilities) to write my first novel.
The story is simple--a lady samurai seeks to avenge the murders of her husband and unborn child. her name is Beatrix Kiddo, aka Black Mamba. She's also referred to as The Bride, which was a character from Q & U. The plot was also inspired by the movie Lady Snowblood, an outstanding female samurai flick.
Other obvious influences:
SAMURAI FICTION--The silhouetted warriors duel with a bright colore background. QT extends this scene drastically, and the results are amazing. This contrast of colors and swift, elegant swordplay make for an awesome visual implosion that will blow your senses away.
HARAKIRI--An undeniable gem of Asian cinema, QT draws heavily from the astounding bloody climax. The Bride fights valiantly against nearly insurmountable odds. She also scales walls and railings with impressive acrobatic agility. The choreography is utterly brilliant as the blood sprays in excess. You will not see a more exciting, dramatic melee in samurai cinema ever. Bold statement, but oh so true.
SHADOW WARRIORS--A T.V.show from the 80's starring the great samurai Hattori Hanzo. In this movie, Hanzo(played by the legendary Sonny Chiba) breaks a blood oath and crafts another deadly blade of steel.
JAPANESE ANIME--This animated sequence totally rules!!! There is some top notch artwork with unique, clever angles. Plus a plethora of blood, murder, and mayhem. Awesome.
GIALLO/DEPALMA--There is a sweet split screen sequence, ala Brian DePalma, that completely kicks butt. There are some closeup shots of the murderer approaching the comatose Bride. With the powerful sound effects blaring the tension is elevated and a dark, desperate atmosphere takes over. A nice touch.
YAKUZA--There are some Japanese mobsters sitting at a table having a meeting. I'll admit, mixing samurai and yakuza seems odd. With the gangstas packin' heat, a samurai chick might not last too long. But hey, this is an action flick, so you can't think too deep into it.
SPAGHETTI WESTERN--There's a brief scene shot in Texas. It involves tumbleweeds, a sheriff, and a bloody shootout. No Clint Eastwood though.
Now, this movie does have some questionable components. Like all the members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. Quite a ragtag group. None of them are overly convincing as deadly samurais, but still the story somehow works. QT also overdoes it with the American pop culture references (silly rabbit, Trix are for kids). They sometimes seem out of place. But still this doesn't hamper the entertainment value. All in all, it's a wonderfully shot, incredibly action packed motion picture. The 5,6,7,8's provide some perfect songs, and Wu Tang Clan does some spectacular sound effects. There's also humor, wit, great character development and dialogue, shots of womens feet--all of QT's trademark stuff. And the action sets the bar sky high.
Tarantino shows he's more than just some film geek. He's an expert at his craft.
Now, I encourage any of you, always in a respectful manner, to question my logic. I assure you, no topic will ever be taboo. Unless of course you bring up this movie as a negative. The price you pay for such an action is--I collect your freakin head!!!!!!!! Now if any of you have anything to say, now's the freakin' time.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Must Have
Comment: This movie is a must see and a must have for all you Tarantino fan. This movie to overly violent and bloody. Normally I don't like movies like that. However, it ranks among one of my favorite movies.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Tarantino Film!!!
Comment: Kill Bill Vol. 1 sets the bar for the genre of violent, action films. Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, David Carradine and others did a spectacular job in their roles. And a special appearance by 1960's J-Pop band the 5678's was really part of the films best moments. Quentin Tarantino should have won an Oscar for best director for Kill Bill Vol 1. I love it and I am look forward to buying Vol. 2.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The mother of gore movies
Comment: Much to violent. This is a sick glorification of both untrammeled and pointless killing and maiming. The picture ought to be banned. Even I myself felt gloomy and irritable the next day.
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