Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)

3.5 out of 4

Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, Gordon Liu

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Time: 136 mins

Viewed: in home theatre

Continuation of the first volume of Kill Bill, following The Bride's (Thurman) journey of revenge against her former boss (Carradine) and assassin teammates (Madsen and Hannah), who had tried to murder her on her wedding day. Different in tone to the first part, with less emphasis on comedic violence and more on fleshing out the back story and characters, lending the film an emotional gravitas the first instalment never had. Still, Tarantino, being Tarantino, provides several startling scenes, and his choice of music is, as always, impeccable. Thurman is excellent, and Carradine a commanding presence as the titular figure. Good to see 70s Hong Kong kung fu star Liu as a wizened old master of martial arts.

(c) Joe Wong (17 October 2004)