Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

All Critics (224) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (202) | Rotten (34) | DVD (55)

A strange, fun and densely textured work that gets better as it goes along.

May 7, 2008 Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Top Critic

Even more gory and adolescent than its models, which explains both the fun and the unpleasantness of this globe-trotting romp.

May 7, 2008 Full Review | Comments (5)

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

It's all bang, bang; no kiss, kiss. But this is still bravura film-making from a prodigious talent, and Thurman may yet prove its saving grace.

June 24, 2006 Full Review

Time Out

Top Critic

There is no ironic overlay in Tarantino's movies, no 'commenting' on the pop schlock he's replicating. He simply wants to remake in his own way the kinds of movies he's always loved, and he's about as uncynical as a movie geek can be.

August 7, 2004 Full Review

Peter Rainer

New York Magazine

Top Critic

I would argue that, in a bizarre way, Mr. Tarantino empowers women as no action-genre director before him ever has.

October 16, 2003

Andrew Sarris

New York Observer

Top Critic

Simultaneously a spectacular act of movie-making and a slight movie.

October 12, 2003 Full Review

Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Top Critic

Visually striking, but also very violent.

December 24, 2010 Full Review | Comments (4)

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

A head-spinning dream project of extraordinarily bi-polar, nutso invention, Vol. 1 is a candy store rampage, cheering on Tarantino's fetishes as he built a colorful war machine of ideal double-feature dementia.

December 28, 2009 Full Review | Comments (2)

Brian Orndorf

Modamag.com

Quentin Tarantino's long awaited fourth film finds the pop culture carnivore of filmmaking reinvigorating cinema a second time over with a single-plot-trajectory revenge movie that utilizes samurai sword action with a shifting score of infectious guitar d

April 19, 2009 Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

With its eclectic use of music and inventive mix of genres, Kill Bill is a striking and enigmatic revenge film visually and culturally rich and relentless in its action.

October 18, 2008 Full Review

Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

Something borrowed, something bloody. [Blu-ray]

September 22, 2008 Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

Visually, this is probably the definitive Kill Bill: Vol. 1. Those without top-notch entertainment systems, however, may be better off sticking with the version they already own.

September 12, 2008 Full Review

Matt Noller

Slant Magazine

It's not my taste, but I can appreciate what Tarantino is trying to do.

September 9, 2008 Full Review

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Tarantino instead relies on delirious, high-octane, imaginative camera work; an anime sequence; and an exhilarating musical soundtrack to punch up a story that loses its intoxicating magnetism well before the final credits roll.

August 7, 2008 Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

I didn't leave the cinema aching to see Volume Two (out in February), though I'm interested to learn how things work out.

May 7, 2008 Full Review

Philip French

Observer [UK]

Kill Bill is a temple of worship -- a devout hymn of praise to crap cinema (which isn't always crappy).

August 4, 2007 Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

Kill Bill is pretty stupid, but there are also moments of beauty and brilliance.

July 14, 2007 Full Review

Joe Lozito

Big Picture Big Sound

Unfolding as a book the film is conceived in chapters, each boasting the look and pulse of a specific genre; as expected of Tarantino, there are references to music, literature, fashion, and above all movies and pop culture, both American and foreign.

December 20, 2006 Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

One of the best films of the year, and, when it's all said and done, probably the decade.

July 5, 2005 Full Review

Jason Zingale

Bullz-Eye.com

• 1. The Bride: The bald guy in the black suit and the Kato Mask is Johnny Mo, the head general of O'ren's personaly army,the crazy 88. And just in case you were wondering how could a half breed Japanese-Chinese American become the boss of all bosses in Tokyo, Japan, I'll tell you. The subject of O'ren's blood and nationality came up before the council only once. The night O'ren assumed power over the crime council.
  – Submitted by Marco M (4 months ago)
• 1. Elle Driver: [to an uncounscious Beatrix] You know, I may have never liked you. Point of fact,I despise you. But that shouldn't suggest I don't respect you. [takes a needle injection from her pocket] Dying in our sleep, a luxuary our kind is rarely afforded.
  – Submitted by Marco M (4 months ago)
• 1. Vernita Green: So I suppose it's a little late for apologies, huh?
  2. The Bride: You suppose correctly.
  3. Vernita Green: Look bitch... I need to know if you're going to start any more shit around my baby girl.
  4. The Bride: You can relax for now. I'm not going to murder you in front of your child, okay?
  5. The Bride: That's being more rational than Bill lead me to believe you were capable of.
  6. The Bride: It's mercy, compassion and forgiveness I lack. Not rationality.
  – Submitted by Marco M (4 months ago)
• 1. O-Ren Ishii: As your leader, I encourage you from time to time, and always in a respectful manner, to question my logic. If you're unconvinced that a particular plan of action I've decided is the wisest, tell me so, but allow me to convince you and I promise you right here and now, no subject will ever be taboo. Except, of course, the subject that was just under discussion. The price you pay for bringing up either my Chinese or American heritage as a negative is... I collect your fucking head. Just like this fucker here. Now, if any of you sons of bitches got anything else to say, now's the fucking time!
  – Submitted by Marco M (4 months ago)
• 1. The Bride: Your name is Buck... right?
  2. Buck: [nods]
  3. The Bride: And you came to FUCK... RIGHT?
  – Submitted by Diego U (8 months ago)
• 1. The Bride: We have unfinished business.
  – Submitted by Gonzalo D (8 months ago)