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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Kill Bill Part I



Like Tarantino's previous films, Kill Bill -- Vol. 1 borrows many references and tricks from Japanese cinema. Entertaining but violent, this film contains little plot and even less character development. For lovers of eye candy in the form of sparkling villains, stunning landscapes, perfectly groomed Asians, and colorful animation, there is plenty to enjoy. 




When the dialogue begins to seriously lack in cleverness, the messy anime sequences distract  from excessive blood flow and severed limb counts. That said, the film is well worth watching for the sake of seeing the Bride equipped with the solemn defense of noble revenge.  


Uma Thurman is perfectly cast in the role of the Bride. She looks equally beautiful lying in a coma, being beaten, or fighting samurai in her skin tight “Bruce Lee” motorcycle suit.  With a slick sword in hand, her bright suit looks orange from the blood of two dozen Japanese heads.   Surrounded by darkness, lit only by an amber light from the restaurant windows, she faces Lucy Liu inside a Japanese garden.

Liu looks best in a perfectly white kimono and socks, stands on a perfectly white snow, with white snowflakes falling against her very white face, accented only by black eyes and  black hair.  



Tarantino's careful attention to stylistic detail results in an overall aesthetically pleasing spectacle.   Out of the kaleidoscope of colors,  the subtle midnight hues of samurai action stand out the most. Though picture perfect, this homage to the Asian action genre falls short of a cinematographic masterpiece.  

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