Kill Bill, Vol. 1 MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -4

Produced and directed by popular cult icon Quentin Tarantino, this action thriller is motivated by a comical fascination with 1960s and 70s martial arts movies. With Tarantinos typical filmmaking quirkiness, Kill Bill is delivered in a bizarre yet effective episodic style. The film tells the story of the Bride (Uma Thurman), a member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, who is betrayed by her boss Bill (David Carradine) after deciding to go straight. Along with his other assassins (Lucy Liu, Darrel Hannah, Vivica A. Fox and Michael Madsen), Bill brutally ambushes the Bride on her wedding day, finishing her off with a bullet to the head. But miraculously, the Bride survives the gunshot and, after a four-year coma, vows vengeance against Bill. So ensues her campaign of deadly retribution as the Bride murders one assassin after another, doing everything she can to Kill Bill. And Kill Bill, Vol. 2 is scheduled to hit theatres in February.

Quentin Tarantino and his films embody post-modern culture while succeeding to appeal to a vast following. Kill Bill, like Pulp Fiction before it, is simply bizarre. Its plot defies conventional development, and the values and motivations of its characters are defined and validated completely within the context of the film as though there were no higher standard of morality. Thus the extreme acts of violence and otherwise horrific decapitations are, if not justified, at least made to seem commonplace and comical. Though artistically magnificent with wonderful visuals and a great soundtrack, the film is morally bankrupt. Apart from pervasive and gruesome violence, the film contains a lot of offensive language and some strong sexual content. There is also a subtle Buddhist influence, though it is more related to old martial arts films than true Buddhism. We suggest you stay away from this one!

Preview Reviewer: Shaun Daugherty
Distributor: Miramax