Andrew's Cinematic Adventures: Kill Bill Vol. 1 Movie Review with Bonus Thoughts on Tarantino

After watching Django Unchained a year or so ago, I made a personal goal to check out everything Quentin Tarantino had to offer. His style stood out so uniquely to me and I was, honestly, incredibly intrigued. Yes, it's weird. Yes, he's creepy. Oh and yeah...he's bloody as hell. But still...intriguing.

As of this post, I have officially and finally watched a good chunk of Tarantino films and can say I truly enjoy his style. I've enjoyed every single one of his movies. Kill Bill (volume 1) was my latest endeavor. Boy...it was...interesting.

This movie (I'm sure most of you have already seen it) follows the exploits of THE BRIDE (a brilliant character played by Uma Thurman) who recently survived a blood massacre at her own wedding by a guy named Bill (hey...that's the guy in title of the movie...) and his henchmen. The whole film is essentially about her finding everyone who was involved and murdering them in increasingly creative ways. Yes...creative.

I'm not going to lie. I enjoyed it. But after awhile, I found myself struggling to make it through. I wouldn't say this is Tarantino's finest work (obviously), but it was fairly enjoyable for what it was. The style is very...well...Asian and the soundtrack (as it always is) was well used. The best parts of Kill Bill are the fight scenes, with my favorite being the very first scene of the movie between The Bride and Vernita Green. What a great way to start a film...and a good idea as I'm sure it grabs most people as soon as they sit down. I've noticed that a lot of Tarantino's movies start off slow and build up. Not Kill Bill. It starts bloody, loud, and fast. Definitely a different mood for Tarantino.

If you're thinking of watching Kill Bill, let me warn you. It's very, very, very bloody. Wait...hold up. It's not very, very, very bloody. It's VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY bloody (I had to add one more very). That should be a given though. It's about an assassin murdering other assassins. Also, it's a Quentin Tarantino movie. So if you're going in expecting a movie that makes you think about the meaning of life....well go watch the Lion King or something. This is not that movie. It's exactly what it's supposed to be: violent, colorful, weird, and strangely endearing. Just like all of Tarantino's works. If I were to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10...I'd probably have to give it....hmmmm....perhaps a 6. It's above average movie quality. The cinematography is abnormal...which makes it stand-out. The dialogue is...as always...very smart. It's a 6. But not the greatest film I've ever seen.

And on that note, I'd like to actually rate the rest of Tarantino's films (at least the ones I've watched). Because my opinion matters. We all know that.

1. Pulp Fiction- Could it really be anything else? This is STILL considered a masterpiece of storytelling and dialogue. It really put Tarantino on the map as a force to be reckoned with. Whether it be Samuel L Jackson's one-liners ("THIS...is a tasty burger!) or John Travolta's dancing...it's not a film that is easily forgotten after you watch it. I am comfortable suggesting that everyone should watch Pulp Fiction at least once in their life. It's weird, wacky, the storyline is out of sync, but it's one-of-a-kind and Tarantino's finest work to date.

2. Reservoir Dogs- I'm not gonna lie. I may have been more entertained by this movie than by any other movie I've ever watched. I loved the whole concept of a caper gone wrong and a bunch of "wise-guys" turning on each other. It was highly entertaining. Plus, you can't go wrong with a character named Mr. Pink played by the always lovable Steve Buscemi. Watch it. Have I mentioned it's bloody?

3. Django Unchained- I absolutely adored this movie. The concept was intriguing, with Jamie Foxx playing a slave trying to save his wife who's still in captivity. And who does he team up with? None other than Tarantino's favorite Christoph Waltz, playing a very lovable dentist character who drives an adorable tooth-carriage thing. This movie has to be top 3 in Tarantino movies. It got me to watch every other movie he has created.

Oh....by the way....this movie also has a bit of blood in it. Should I really have to say that every time?

4. Inglourious Basterds- Christoph Waltz plays a Nazi. Brad Pitt is in the movie. It's a bloody story of Nazis getting what they deserve. Plus, it's exactly what it's supposed to be. The movie is haunting....but in a really funny way. It's incredibly hard to describe without spoiling anything.

If anything, Tarantino has the entertainment factor down. He definitely knows how to give the people what they want. And a lot of it.  Basterds is nothing different.




5. Kill Bill, 1 and 2- Bloody, unforgiving, I've already talked about it plenty. Not incredible, but definitely Tarantino.

6. Jackie Brown- Just because this movie comes in last on the list doesn't mean it's a bad movie by any means. It's signature Tarantino, but the movie I enjoyed the least. BUT I STILL ENJOYED IT.

I found it a lot easier to follow than say...Pulp Fiction. The story revolves around a flight attendant who's been framed by the always glorious Samuel L. Jackson (with long hair this time). Instead of going down quietly, she sets a scheme up to frame Jackson and also trick the cops who are following her. Not as bloody as most Tarantino films, but definitely a lot smarter. Pam Grier was phenomenal and alarmingly frightening in this movie. Check it out.

In the end, Tarantino definitely has a style that no one else can really duplicate. It is his and his alone. Also, he's certainly not for everybody. Not for the squeamish. Not for the easily offended. Make no mistake about it...every film will entertain you. But he is also creepy and I'm not sure what goes on in his head....I mean...look at the guy...makes sense right? --->