Kill Bill: Volume One

(out of five)

.What a bloody great movie this is!

Uma Thurman stars as “The Bride,” in “Kill Bill: Volume One,” Quentin Tarantino’s fourth feature film.

In keeping with Tarantino tradition, the body count is high, the profanity flies, and the soundtrack kicks. “Kill Bill” is a tour de force, with the familiar Tarantino storytelling devices, such as chapters and a non-linear storyline. I found the amount of blood in this film surprising, even with having had full knowledge as to the nature of the film prior to heading to the theater. Where other movies would have pulled away after the slash of a sword, Tarantino delights in showing the audience the aftermath of each hack and slice. The result is a mixture of elicited emotions - from revulsion to slack-jawed amazement.

It’s obvious that Mr. Tarantino has a certain degree of reverence for Asian cinema, and an affinity for all things Samurai. The fight scenes are a marvel; both horrific and beautiful at the same time.

The cinematography was exciting and inventive, and the acting sufficiently overdone - which meant that it was just right for the type of movie “Kill Bill” is trying to be.

I suppose what it all boils down to is this: I want to see this movie again, as soon as possible.