Kill Bill: Volume I (2003)

Once you get over the almost immediately noticeable shlock style in which this story will enfold, you are on your way to a lightly capriceful story of interest. Plotted out in a rather comic-book style, the plot moves along at a brisk pace, with the heroine facing one obstacle after another in her effort to seek revenge upon Bill. After recovering from a prolonged coma (brought about by Bill and his band of asassins) Uma Thuman recovers and is determined to seek out and destroy Bill and his lethal associates present at her wedding ceremony. One by one Uma seeks out the assassins and extracts her revenge -- making for some thrilling but violent footage. Tarantino uses sparse dialogue throughout much the film. The unsheathing of a samurai sword pretty much tells you what is in store.

The extermination of her rivals doesn't always go according to plan -- and this creates unexpected tension/anxiety. Everyone involved is quite convincing, which lends a gravitas to the film. The feel of the film is somewhere between a dusty ghost town for defeated cowboys -- and the quick-action, choreographic cinema of some samurai or kung fu type flick. Somehow the two atmospheres blend quite successfully, with the end result being something cross-cultured and extremely deadly.