Kill Bill: Volume 2

Everything that the kinetic, colorful, superficially violent Kill Bill: Volume 1 lacked in depth and character is remedied tenfold in Quentin Tarantino's stunning, cunning conclusion to this epic revenge fantasy. Gone are the absurdist bloodbaths and the superficial grindhouse storytelling; in their stead the wily writer-director offers (with masterfully effortless cinematic aplomb) a character- and dialogue-driven feast of substance and surprises that is, nonetheless, still punctuated by spectacularly stylish swordplay. Volume 2 seamlessly blends a vivid backstory into the continuing vengeful rampage of left-for-dead former assassin The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she beats a corpse-littered path to the door of the ex-boss who ordered her killed (before it's over, she'll be shot in the chest, buried alive, and battled with her own custom-made katana sword). But Tarantino takes the movie up a notch with a startling turn toward thorny emotional complexity when The Bride finally does come face-to-face with Bill (calmly charismatic David Carradine). At once comical, gripping, sentimental, and dangerous, their psychologically-charged reunion becomes as much of a showdown as any action set-piece. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a 26-minute "making-of" documentary, an 11-minute performance by CHINGON (featuring Robert Rodriguez) at the film's premiere, and a four-minute deleted scene. Bottom line: a suspiciously small extras package (does anyone really doubt that there is a complete Kill Bill special edition waiting in the wings?) for a second-half film that far outshines its predecessor.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Sept. 16, 2008—Miramax, 137 min., R, $34.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2004's Kill Bill: Volume 2 sports a great transfer with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound. The bonus features on this release are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including a 26-minute “making-of” documentary, an 11-minute performance by Chingon (featuring filmmaker Robert Rodriguez) at the film's premiere, and a four-minute deleted scene. Bottom line: as with Volume 1, blood looks good in Blu—Tarantino fans will appreciate.]