“Kill Bill Vol. 1” is an instant pop culture classic

Arnold, Jean-Claude, Wesley and …Uma? That’s right, Uma

Thurman proves she can kick butt with the best of movie

heavy-weights in “Kill Bill Vol. 1.” However, she does more slicing

and dicing than kicking. Uma wields some mean blades in this movie,

and no head, torso or limb is safe.

“Kill Bill” is director Quentin Tarantino’s first film in six

years. Known for hugely popular films like “Pulp Fiction,”

“Reservoir Dogs” and the under-appreciated “Jackie Brown,”

Tarantino returns with a vengeance in his latest offering.

The movie’s minimal plot focuses on Uma Thurman’s character

referred to most often as, “The Bride.” Four years ago, The Bride

and those present at her wedding, were gunned down by the Deadly

Viper Assassination Squad (Vivica A. Fox, Lucy Lui, Darryl Hannah,

and Michael Madsen) and their leader, Bill (Keith Caradine).

Presumed dead by her assailants, The Bride remains in a coma for

four years until one day waking up hungry for revenge against those

who did her wrong.

Seeing as this is a Quentin Tarantino movie, you can bet on the

revenge getting pretty vicious. Heads roll, arms drop, and scalps

soar amid fountains, yes fountains, of erupting blood. Anyone who

is offended by gratuitous and bloody violence needs to stay far

away from “Kill Bill.” And if volume one is any indication, volume

two should prove as equal a blood bath when it hits theatres in

February.

“Kill Bill” doesn’t just overflow with blood, it also overflows

with style. No shot is left uninspired, no film technique left

unused. The only stylistic scene I felt should have been left alone

was a segment of the film’s climatic showdown which is shown in

black and white. I think the temporary use of black and white as a

cinematic tool can certainly enhance a scene, but I don’t think it

lends itself very well to action. The sequence was fun and

exciting, but the sudden lack of color momentarily distracted me

from the action.

Tarantino fans might be disappointed to find out that the

director’s trademark of witty monologues are missing. Tarantino is

a master at writing humorous and entertaining extended speeches,

but for some reason he didn’t feel the need to include any in his

latest film. I guess he decided that for “Kill Bill,” actions speak

louder than words.

There are a few minor objections I had with the film, but as a

whole it was awesome. No one does cinema cool quite like Tarantino,

and “Kill Bill” is no exception. I’ll admit it, I am a sucker for

fight scenes involving women, and since “Kill Bill” has a primarily

female cast, I was definitely entertained.

On a side note, while Tarantino’s films are probably favored

more by males, there is a lot of girl power going on in “Kill Bill”

to please females. I mean besides for the incessant beheadings,

stabbings and blood spurts, “Kill Bill Vol. 1” is basically a chick

flick.

3.5 out of 4 Rams