Comic-Con Flashback: Why Kill Bill Rules
There may never be a bigger film geek also entrusted with actually making movies than Quentin Tarantino. His magnum opus, Kill Bill, stands as one of history's greatest homages -- as well as being a kick-ass action movie. Here's why we love this Comic-Con favorite.
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By Matt Patches April 20, 2011 |
| 20 | The Animated History of O-Ren Ishii |
One of the most striking sequences in both Kill Bill films is the backstory sequence of Deadly Viper Assassination Squad member O-Ren Ishii. Tarantino collaborated with Production I., the anime studio behind Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire and segments of The Animatrix, to craft this bloody, hand-drawn expansion of mythology, an setup that dimensionalizes Ishii and her violent practices.
Animation producer Katsuji Morishita explained to CGSociety that, "Quentin himself came to our studios to meet with us in person. He already had the image and style in mind, and wanted us to make the animation based on his script. He actually acted out the performances of the characters to be animated in front of us. There were 4 sequences in all, and the production period was 1 year. Those 4 sequences would've been extremely difficult to make in live-action. Even if it had been possible, it would've taken tremendous amount of budget and work."
No kidding -- the price tag for the blood alone would have been seven figures.
| 19 | The Man from Okinawa |
Eventually The Bride obtains a legendary sword from the master Hattori Hanzō that she requires to end the lives of her former cohorts, but first, she flirts and eats some sushi. After all, she doesn't get much downtime.
The scene is a necessary breather -- and a hilarious one at that. While Kill Bill will always be known for its insane sword fights and homages to exploitation films, it shouldn't go under-appreciated for some damn fine character moments and dialogue.
| 18 | Off with His Head |
We applaud the finer, subtler moments of Kill Bill, but don't mistake us for art house snobs. We love a messy decapitation just as much as the next rowdy midnight screening crowd.
When one of her colleagues vocally disavows O-Ren Ishii for having a Chinese-American background, she shows him who's boss by swiftly removing his cranium. Much worse then detention.
| 17 | Making an Example |
The Bride also does her fair share of point-making through the art of dismemberment, specifically when she shows up at the House of Blue Leaves and lops off the arm of O-Ren's assistant Sofie Fatale. The move helped O-Ren grasp that The Bride meant business...but it didn't really help Sofie grasp anything ever again.
| 16 | Gogo Says Hello-o |
American Japanophile's might find themselves exceptionally giddy over the appearance of Gogo, O-Ren Ishii's right-hand ass-kicker. Besides the fact that she's an adorable female dressed as a school girl (breathe...breathe...), she's also played by Chiaki Kuriyama, star of Battle Royale and Ju-on.
Tarantino doesn't give his audience much time to drool before Gogo turns into a sadistic assassin ready to toss her meteor hammer straight through the Bride's abdomen. The fight is on!
