It is human nature to compare a new experience with one that has previously occurred. On that rare occasion that we experience something truly great, it is difficult to conceive of anything that will live up to it. Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" was one such experience. The film, which was the first half of a longer film, was utterly brilliant and instantly became a cult classic. So it is only natural that with the impending release of "Vol. 2," the viewer draws comparisons between the two films.
"Vol. 2" picks up where "Vol. 1" left off, with The Bride (Uma Thurman) continuing her bloody revenge mission. It would be cruel to give away the plot of "Vol. 2," since so much of the excitement comes from the uncertainty of what will happen to The Bride, and it is unnecessary to reiterate the plot of the first film since it would be stupid to see "Vol. 2" without having seen "Vol. 1." It will suffice to say that the Bride is on her way to kill Bill, and must kill several others on the way to get to him. The second film also provides contextual background of how she became such a deadly killing machine and why Bill put her in a coma at her wedding.
It important to remember that "Kill Bill" was originally intended to be one film. Both halves were shot as one film and later edited into two films. Because "Vol. 1" and "Vol. 2" are actually parts of a larger whole, it should not necessarily be expected that they effectively stand alone as individual films. Whereas "Vol. 1" was able to exist as a single film (albeit one without a conclusion) "Vol. 2" is not able to do so.
"Vol. 2" is a totally different film than the first one, though. The pacing is much slower. Where there was good old-fashioned gore in the first, there is a lot of talking in the second. The viewers who criticized the first part for its blatant violence and lack of conversation will be much happier with the second part because it relies more on conversation and less on swordplay. That is not to say that "Vol. 2" does not have its share of action. The confrontation between the Bride and Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) was supposedly inspired by "Jackass," and has a rather clever, although bloody, conclusion that left the audience cheering.
While the fight sequences in this film are impressive and truly original, they are nothing compared to the fight between The Bride and O-Ren Ishii in the first film. Those expecting Tarantino to top the fight in the House of Blue Leaves will be sorely disappointed. In fact, "Vol. 2" itself may leave many sorely disappointed. It is much slower than "Vol. 1" and definitely offers a somewhat anti-climactic ending that may leave the viewer unfulfilled.
The disappointment that results from "Vol. 2" does not necessarily mean that it is a bad film - quite the opposite actually. Tarantino's style is essentially brilliant and he uses techniques that are not found in many of today's films. His characters are intriguing, his inspirations vast and his dialogue much more akin to that of his previous films. While it is understandable why Tarantino and the studio decided to release this film in two separate parts, that move may not have been the best one. It is certain, however, that "Kill Bill" will be a much more successful endeavor when it is released on DVD as one film, allowing viewers the opportunity to experience it in one sitting and not feel the impulse to compare the two.
