Film Review: Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)

Quentin Tarantino's decision to divide his magnum opus, Kill Bill, into two parts was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it alleviated concerns over the running time and cuts that would otherwise have been demanded by Harvey Weinstein, allowing for a more leisurely pace and the opportunity to incorporate more content and stylistic flourishes. On the other hand, it inevitably invited comparisons between the two parts, some of which were not entirely in favour of the second instalment.

The plot of Kill Bill Vol. 2 begins with the event that had set the protagonist – former top assassin Beatrix Kiddo a.k.a. Bride (played by Uma Thurman) – on the path of murderous revenge. While rehearsing wedding in chapel, she is attacked by her former boss Bill (played by David Carradine) and his Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who massacre everyone, shoot her and leave her for dead. Years later, after being awaken from coma, Bride begins to track down and kill people responsible. That leaves two surviving Deadly Vipers – Budd (played by Michael Madsen) and Elle (played by Daryl Hannah) – and Bill. Through flashbacks, it is revealed how Bride became Deadly Viper and gained her formidable skills that would put to use during her vendetta.

Kill Bill is, in its essence, a simple revenge story. Tarantino used this as an excuse to create a colourful cast of characters and pay homage to various low-budget exploitation films he had seen during his time as a video store clerk before beginning his filmmaking career. Kill Bill Vol. 1 predominantly drew inspiration from Japanese cinema, specifically jidai geki and yakuza films, while Kill Bill Vol. 2 is somewhat less focused and stylistically meanders between spaghetti westerns and Hong Kong wuxia films.

The use of non-linear narration, which brought Tarantino fame with Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, is expanded in Kill Bill. While the first part presented Bride's revenge in a conventional manner, the second part serves as an origin story, attempting to explain the plot and characters' motivations through extended flashbacks. This non-linear structure adds complexity to the narrative and deepens the viewer's understanding of the characters.

Unlike the first part, which featured non-stop frenetic and gory action, Kill Bill Vol. 2 is more subdued and contemplative. There is still action, brutal violence, and dark humour, but the pace is slower, especially towards the end, which may test the patience of viewers who are not die-hard Tarantino fans. The slower pace, on the other hand, allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their motivations, making the story more emotionally resonant.

The cast delivers great performances, with Uma Thurman playing the younger version of her character in flashbacks with great vigour and skill. Michael Madsen is excellent as one of the remaining villains, and Daryl Hannah is similarly impressive as the henchwoman. David Carradine, who was only present through his voice in the first part, appears in person in the second part and delivers one of the last great, if not the greatest, performances of his career as the titular villain. Although his actions are demonically evil, Carradine imbues Bill with nuance and depth, making him one of the most memorable characters of 21st-century cinema.

Some of Tarantino's casting choices are a little over-indulgent, such as having the same actors play different characters. Hong Kong cinema legend Gordon Liu, who played yakuza leader Johnny Mo in the first film, gives a memorable performance as the legendary martial arts master Pai Mei in the second. Michael Parks, who played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in the first part and appeared in numerous other Tarantino films, is good but not entirely convincing as the mysterious Mexican pimp Esteban Vihaio.

In conclusion, Kill Bill Vol. 2 is somewhat disappointing because Tarantino may have set the bar too high with the first instalment. However, it still represents a very good way to wrap up the story, and as a whole, Kill Bill is one of the more memorable and iconic films of its time, and arguably the most commercial and audience-friendly of all Tarantino's films.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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