Just saw it today... My review:
http://bmwracer.blog-city.com/index.cfm?d=11&m=10&y=2003:
Just got back from seeing
Kill Bill and all I can say is that it was pretty good, but I wasn't wowed. Some folks have griped about the plot or the lack thereof, but this film is all about action and carnage. Tarantino seemed too willing to rely on effects (anime, B&W, silhouettes, etc.) for cinematic style and it just seemed too overt. Likewise the swordplay, though quite good (and gory), seems to lack the panache of Sonny Chiba's films or stuff from the Shaw Brothers (FYI,
Kill Bill opens with a nod to the Shaw Bros.). Having grown up watching those films makes me a bit jaded, I suppose.
With that said, I loved seeing legend Sonny Chiba as the sushi chef/swordmaster Hattori Hanzo, an obvious nod to Chiba's four ninja series,
Kage no Gundan I-IV (Shadow Warriors). At 64 years of age, Chiba looks damn good--I was really hoping to see him whip out a
katana and have at it. Oh well. Later, hearing the theme to Chiba's series
Yagyu Ichizoku no Inbo (The Yagyu Conspiracy) in the background, put a big ol' smile on my face. Thanks Quentin. Finally, Chiba's early narration in
Kill Bill regarding the way of the sword was clearly a reference to the dialog which opens
Yagyu Ichizoku no Inbo:
The secret doctrine of the Ura Yagyu (Yagyu Spy) states: "Once engaged in battle, fight to win. That is the first and cardinal rule of battle. Supress all human emotions and compassion. Kill whosoever stands in thy way, even if that be God or Buddha. Only then can one master the essence of the art. Once it is mastered, thou shall fear no one, though the devil himself may block thy way."
Whew. Time for me to dig up those Sonny Chiba tapes and given them a look.