Kill Bill: Volume 2 DVD Review | Digital Retribution

Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)

By: J.R. McNamara on January 23, 2007

Buena Vista (Australia). Region 2 & 4 PAL. 2.40:1 English DD 5.1, English DTS 5.1 English, English (FHI) Subtitles. 131 minutes

The Movie

Cover Art

Credits

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, Sonny Chiba, Gordon Liu
Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino
Country: USA

One of the good things about Quentin Tarantino's film Kill Bill Volume 1 is that there is a subtle, almost subliminal message in the title that suggests there may be a sequel… and what a sequel.

Kill Bill Volume 2 tells the further tales of The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she continues her revenge killings on those who crossed her, making her way to the titular Bill (David Carradine). Many mysteries from the first film are answered, and the rest of the Deadly Vipers Assassin Squad is dispatched… some even by other members!!! The Bride's training with the mystical master Pai Mei (Gordon Lui) is revealed, fresh shocking information provided and a wholly satisfying ending is achieved… which is basically spoilt by the title of both films.

Tarantino himself says in 'The Making of ' on this disc 'Volume 1 was the question, volume 2 is the answer', and as usual with some answers, it requires explanation, but in this case is never really tedious. Tarantino's mastery of the cool quip continues throughout this movie, and everything each character says are things YOU would say, if you had twenty minutes to think of a good answer. Tarantino again boasts of his knowledge of cinema; although with this film he equals his Asian influences with spaghetti westerns and their respective soundtracks.

Video

This film is presented in 2.40:1 widescreen and is a crisp, clean and artefact free image.

Audio

The audio on this disc is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and clearly presents every sword clang, every wood panel break and every one inch punch in excellent clarity.

Extra Features

The Making of Kill Bill Volume 2 (26 minutes 4 seconds) is a slightly longer documentary than the one on Vol. 1 and has some great interviews and behind the scenes footage, but, like the first one, it still left me wanting more….

Chingon Live at the Kill Bill Volume 2 premiere (11 minutes 2 seconds) is a performance of the band Robert Rodriguez plays guitar with. A nice performance, and only fair too: the boys get hot Asian babes in the extras of Kill Bill Volume 1 (with the 5,6,7,8's), and here, the ladies get macho Mexican mariachis.

Damoe Deleted Scene (3 minutes 37 seconds) is a great flashback scene where you actually get to see Bill go to town on some sword-slinging folk…and boy, does he go to town. It is a shame this scene was deleted as it shows both The Bride's total admiration for Bill's skills, and also has some great martial arts footage of Michael Jai White, who was in Spawn and The Toxic Avenger 2 and 3.

The Verdict

Many argue over which is the better film, but when it comes down to it, it is one film, and really needs to be watched in close proximity to each other to be fully appreciated. Sure Volume 1 is all action, and Volume 2 has a large dialogue component, but the action of the first one gets you hooked, and the results of the second are mainly satisfying. The only thing unsatisfying about BOTH these films is that there has not, to date, been a special edition, super swishy uncut version release in Region 4 land…NOW please!