Kill Bill Volume 2 is the 2004 sequel and conclusion to 2003's Volume 1. Like Volume 1, this movie is ultra-violent but in a much different way. Where the first movie was over-the-top, almost campy with the action and violence, this one is not. There are definitely a couple really good fight scenes, but things are more real in this one than the first. There is no spraying, blood, dismembering, or crazy stunts done with wires (save for a couple). While it does take some suspension of disbelief to accept everything that happens, this is far more of a realistic action/drama than the first one was.
This volume lays out the entire back story of what led up to the attack we see bits and pieces of in the first movie. It also puts The Bride (Uma Thurman) in real peril, both physically and emotionally, as the movie goes along. The confrontation with Bill (David Carradine) is almost all dialogue and about 45 seconds of an actual fight scene, but it works perfectly. To the extent that Bill could be made sympathetic in any way for what he did, the writing and David Carradine's performance pulled that off. He balanced an almost easygoing nature with a sinister one perfectly. Daryl Hannah and Michael Madsen get a lot of screen time in this one, much more than Vivica Fox and Lucy Lui got in the first movie. The fight scene between Elle and The Bride was certainly the high point of the movie, action-wise.
The DVD extras are very sparse. Like with the release of Volume 1, there is a short making-of documentary, then a music video, and a deleted scene. What was included was fine, but chances are there is a lot more that could have been included. Ultimately, whether you like this or not will depend on your taste. The movie definitely earns its R rating, but it is a more well-rounded and overall better movie than Volume 1. It is a good mix of action, drama, and dark humor. If you like Tarantino's other movies (especially Volume 1), chances are you will like this one. If bad language and violence are not up your alley, then you probably want to stay away.
This volume lays out the entire back story of what led up to the attack we see bits and pieces of in the first movie. It also puts The Bride (Uma Thurman) in real peril, both physically and emotionally, as the movie goes along. The confrontation with Bill (David Carradine) is almost all dialogue and about 45 seconds of an actual fight scene, but it works perfectly. To the extent that Bill could be made sympathetic in any way for what he did, the writing and David Carradine's performance pulled that off. He balanced an almost easygoing nature with a sinister one perfectly. Daryl Hannah and Michael Madsen get a lot of screen time in this one, much more than Vivica Fox and Lucy Lui got in the first movie. The fight scene between Elle and The Bride was certainly the high point of the movie, action-wise.
The DVD extras are very sparse. Like with the release of Volume 1, there is a short making-of documentary, then a music video, and a deleted scene. What was included was fine, but chances are there is a lot more that could have been included. Ultimately, whether you like this or not will depend on your taste. The movie definitely earns its R rating, but it is a more well-rounded and overall better movie than Volume 1. It is a good mix of action, drama, and dark humor. If you like Tarantino's other movies (especially Volume 1), chances are you will like this one. If bad language and violence are not up your alley, then you probably want to stay away.
