Why Volume 2 Is By Far The Best Kill Bill Volume
Let me start off by saying that for all my loss of faith in the rationality of Tarantino fanboys out there, I did not believe it could get any worse. I have to hope that I am once again listening to the wrong people saying that Volume 1 is the superior film, and that most agree with me. With that said, everyone has the right to like Volume 1, as i do, and to even say that it is more fun to watch than Volume 2 is respectable and rational. But to say that Volume 2 is in any way, other than gory violence, an inferior film than Volume 1 is to renounce all rationality from your argument, as far as i'm concerned. If you want to stand by the fact that you enjoy Volume 1 more than Volume 2 because you enjoy gory violence and fast paced empty action, then I have no problem with that, because as far as that issue is concerned Volume 1 is one of the best. I mean that in the most non-cynical way possible, i'm not downplaying it, if that's your cup of tea, i agree it's Tarantino's best. In any other regard, however, Volume 2 is undisputably a superior film to Volume 1, and here is why.
Let's start with the fact that Volume 1 does not have a single shot, nevertheless a scene or sequence, that is essential, in my opinion, to the overall story. Volume 1 in my opinion is, pardon the expression, chock full of filler and nothing else. Sure, the bride battles some assassins in some of the best and most exciting fight scenes you'll see, and sure, some crazy 88's walk down some hallways with cool music playing. But is there really anything in this film that, when added to Volume 2, would make Volume 2 a better film. My answer is no. Sure Volume 1 has some fun moments and I'm sure the people who believe pulp fiction is the best movie ever made just fell in love with it, but it just doesn't have the overall quality that Volume 2 is made with. I just wish people would start admitting it, and realize that while Volume 1 may be a guilty pleasure to watch, it was certainly a guilty pleasure for Tarantino to make it, and is NOTHING compared to Volume 2 and does not even deserve to be molded into one long film with it's 2nd volume.
Next I'd like to point out the observation that Volume 2 alone holds not only the 3 best sequences in the movie, but the only 3 essential chapters in the whole of the two volumes. First off, the wedding rehearsal assassination is all we really need to know about the whole ordeal, and really outdoes it's lead up. It's beautifully shot and extremely well done. Secondly, the chapter dealing with pai mai was enough kung fu for me, and i'm sure even sufficient enough for the fans of the kung fu references in Volume 1 to get their fix. Thirdly, although disputed by many people as being a let down, is the final encounter between Bill and the bride, and even the whole ordeal about the child just prior. I love it, and maybe if it hadn't been for all the fast paced, empty action fight scenes in Volume 1 there wouldn't have been so many people expecting the same ol' kung fu show down that lasted 20 minutes with bill and the bride trading blows with samurai swords. Which i'm sure would have cut down on all the essential dialogue that went on prior to it, and leading up to it. These 3 essential chapters, coupled with enough action and intrigue added in the middle, in my opinion, made Volume 2 Tarantino's most complete and best film to date.
The prospect of Kill Bill being one movie, really tee's me off, although i like Volume 1 and would never object to watching it, i believe it is doing a disservice to the greatness of Volume 2 to drag it down with the comparably meaningless filler that Volume 1 is when coupled with Volume 2. I beg you, educated people, take Volume 2 for what it is, a truly GREAT movie, and not dismiss it as a let down simply because you miss the action Volume 1 had in it. Volume 2 alone has a beginning a middle and an end, and not necessarily in that order, along with some suspense and well done action sequences, along with a meaningful, heartfelt ending. Volume 2 easily, in my mind, stands alone far better than it compliments and brings Volume 1 up to par with Tarantino's other work.
please excuse my grammar and what not, you get the point anyway.
You've just gotta be fishing for debate, so here goes:
Let's start with the fact that Volume 1 does not have a single shot, nevertheless a scene or sequence, that is essential, in my opinion, to the overall story.
The whole story is "bride left for dead on wedding day, seeks revenge on five villains." I really don't see why the three she does in Vol.2 are more "essential" than the two in Vol. 1. But you do specifics below, so we'll revisit this then...
Volume 1 in my opinion is, pardon the expression, chock full of filler and nothing else. Sure, the bride battles some assassins in some of the best and most exciting fight scenes you'll see, and sure, some crazy 88's walk down some hallways with cool music playing. But is there really anything in this film that, when added to Volume 2, would make Volume 2 a better film.
[1] A slam-bang opening that blows the doors off that cringe-inducing talking-to-the-audience-while-driving scene that opens Vol. 2. Lawd, I really hoped that was a trailer-only scene. [2] O-ren's anime backstory. [3] A sense of mystery and menace surrounding Bill.
My answer is no. Sure Volume 1 has some fun moments and I'm sure the people who believe pulp fiction is the best movie ever made just fell in love with it
Interesting. I would actually say Vol. 2 is closer to Pulp Fiction than Vol. 1.
Volume 2 alone holds not only the 3 best sequences in the movie, but the only 3 essential chapters in the whole of the two volumes. First off, the wedding rehearsal assassination is all we really need to know about the whole ordeal...
I preferred just the taste we are given in the opening of Vol. 1. As much as I enjoyed the longer sequence in Vol. 2, I don't think it was superior.
Secondly, the chapter dealing with pai mai was enough kung fu for me, and i'm sure even sufficient enough for the fans of the kung fu references in Volume 1 to get their fix.
If you're making a kung fu movie (or homage), the training sequences are only one ingredient in the formula. You can't leave out the fights (unless you aren't making a kung fu movie), and Vol. 1 has all the best fights. If you're going to chop fighting, you'd chop it from Vol. 2.
Thirdly, although disputed by many people as being a let down, is the final encounter between Bill and the bride, and even the whole ordeal about the child just prior.
I enjoyed it, but did feel it was a bit of a letdown. Tarantino is clearly reaching for the killer banter that elevated Reservoir Fiction so highly, but here his reach exceeds his grasp. "Superman" has nothing on "Royal with Cheese".
I love it, and maybe if it hadn't been for all the fast paced, empty action fight scenes in Volume 1 there wouldn't have been so many people expecting the same ol' kung fu show down that lasted 20 minutes with bill and the bride trading blows with samurai swords.
That was not my expectation, actually. I wanted the finale to work better on its own terms.
Don't get me wrong, I liked Vol. 2, but not as much as Vol. 1, and I think a unified whole might be the best work of all, especially with some cuts.
your right about my fishing habits... I guess i'll just have to say i disagree with you... but you do make some good points that i may have undermined in the article... but i still disagree... Like i said i still think the kung fu fighting scenes were great... but what i'm trying to say is that they would only take away from what Volume 2 has to offer when put into a unified whole... i guess i would prefer Volume 2 to the unified whole, and the unified whole to Volume 1. They are just so different that I can't see them as one movie without degrading Volume 2.
Cool.
Wow, are you ever fishing...
I could argue your specific reasons, but I really don't see much need to do so. You start off saying that people who favor the first half can only love gore and empty action, and seeing as little in my viewing habits lines up with that assertion (I like Vol. 1 better, but my taste runs more to talky dramas than action films), your claim is flawed to begin with. I am not sure it is worth my time to try to argue reasons on a charge that I know to be incredibly untrue.
Besides, I am sleepy as all get out.
Still, I am glad you enjoyed the second part as much as you did. I believe my wife also enjoyed it more than one, and between you and me, she is usually right.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
(PS - While I enjoyed Kill Bill, I really don't believe either part on its own can touch any of QT's earlier three films...)
(PPS - You have one of the coolest Listology photos around...)
First of all, why can't the more fun film be the better film? I'm all for separating "best" and "favorite", but if part of why I watch a film is for entertainment, why can't the more entertaining film be the better one?
I mean, for God's sake, I'd rather have empty action than empty drama. Volume 1 gives us some of the best action scenes ever filmed. Volume 2 gives us... Uma talking to the camera like they do on sitcoms, in case you missed the first part that ended with "To be continued..." And Michael Madsen struggling with his job at the bar. And Uma meeting with a random Mexican guy for no reason. Oh, and truth serum, can't forget about that.
The three scenes you point out are quite great, and are the main reason why I still liked Volume 2. But try to accept each film as it is and see how much of each actually works. Volume 1 tries to be an exciting kung fu extravaganza, and it works phenomenally. Volume 2 tries to be a more introspective drama with the clever dialogue that made Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction good, but too many scenes misfire, and all we are left with is truth serum.
thanks on the photo Bangs... i think so too.
btw, i just want to point out that the only reason i make "claims", whether they are untrue or not is to accentuate my argument... i don't truly believe that anyone that likes volume 1 more is a mindless idiot who only loves empty action and gore... it's just more fun to express strong opinions that way... so please forgive me if i offended anyone by criticizing their taste in movies... it's just the way i go all out on my opinion.
Also i agree AJ... for what it is Volume 1 is phenomenal... i'm just not particularly in love with what it is... thats just me.
I think it's fine for a film to exist with a story that is mainly just an excuse for stylish, awesome scenes (oftentimes fight scenes), but if you don't think so, that's cool too. Now, if Kill Bill Volume 2 actually was as thoughtful, intelligent, and stylish in the dialogue as it was trying to be, I would probably like it more than Volume 1. But I think a movie trying to be exciting that is exciting about 95% of the time is better than a movie trying to be emotional that is emotional about 70% of the time.
Not that you can really objectify film success into numbers, but you get my point.
i too think it is fine for a film to exist for those reasons, i just don't understand how it can be thought of as better than basically the equivalent... or basically the same movie, that isn't like that... but i see your point, you don't think Volume 2 is what i believe it to be... and that is understandble. just differ in opinion
My post was a very poor one. I was trying to express that I disagree with you, but that I am too tired to put together sentences into reasons that anybody could understand. The sad state of that last sentence should prove that.
You certainly haven't offended me, and I hope I didn't give you that impression. It takes oodles more than that, my friend! ;)
Volume 1 had well-directed energy and an incredible surge that has held up through multiple viewings. Volume 2 had one too many scenes that played to these eyes (actually, more often, ears) likes poor QT imitations rather than the juicy real things.
The Superman speech is a prime example. The truth serum arrived too much out of the blue (rumors are he cut some scenes that would have set this up better) and the hotel room / pregnancy test also hits me as a bit flubbed.
Additionally, as I mentioned in my short review of the film, I think the film split hurts the second part. Now, it opens with its best scene and never seems to recover to that height again.
I still suspect the film as one grand epic will kick the patootie out of the individual sections.
Well, I am half-dead, but there are a few raggedy thoughts...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
man the negatives of Volume 2 are really stacking up... maybe i blinded how much i really think they are both overrated by the fact that Volume 1 was praised so much and Volume 2 wasn't.
Only by a few folks now. Upon arrival, I think critics were nearly unanimous in proclaiming the second volume as the best of the two.
I still think that is the mainstream opinion, just perhaps not on this site. :)
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs