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Review Part 1: Where we learn of the Bride Many have complained/slandered Quentin Tarantino for his use of heightened, over-the-top violence in Kill Bill Volume 1. Those who would think twice would know that Tarantino was raised on the old martial arts movies from the 70s, etc. In these movies, blood would fly in squirts of red water. So, its no surprise to me that Tarantino would create his magnum opus as an homage to these early movies that gave him so much joy. As it is, Kill Bill Volume 1 is an exciting, very blood-filled revenge story. It's also very different from Vol 2. It sets up the Kill Bill universe, while introducing The Bride. In fact, Vol 1 is a trial by fire for The Bride, effectively being a training ground for her where she will learn who she is and who here enemies are. In fact, the first movie can be considered a "coming of age" story where the Bride finally comes into her own as an unstoppable brute. She goes from having everything, to being in a coma, and then the movie shows her fight to get everything back (her coming into knowledge and power). Those who loved Pulp Fiction might not find the same dense storyline in this first volume. The story here is basically for setting up the characters and giving you a hint of what's to come. The second volume will answer questions and change what you think you know about the story, so just hold on through this one. This first movie, as stated earlier, is an homage to the old martial arts films but it is also an homage to Japanese cinema. Not only do we have the very stylized violence of the martial arts films, but we have an amazing 10 minute anime sequence that is probably the most violent part of the movie. We even have a master sword creator who will give The Bride her weapon of revenge. The movie oozes with Japanese pop and cinema culture throughout the ages. I have never been a real fan of Uma Thurman but she excels in this movie. You can tell this part was written for her and it amazes me that Tarantino is able to elicit such a terrifice performance from her where she has been merely adequate in other films by other directors. I was thoroughly entertained by this movie. The cinematography was excellent, the music fit with the theme of the movie, it was crafted, you can tell, with love. It is a powerhouse of a movie where those who aren't turned off by the stylized violence will find excellence. And then there's Volume 2 (if interested check out my Review Part 2: Where we learn of Bill on the Kill Bill 2 page)...