Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair Review: A Bloody, Bloated Masterpiece

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It’s widely accepted that ‘s impact on film and popular culture is secure and lasting.

Elements from the film – Uma Thurman’s character, Lucy Liu’s O-Ren Ishii, Sonny Chiba’s swordmaker, the iconic music by Tomoyasu Hotei, and more – continue to inspire artists and are frequently referenced, imitated, or sampled. This influence isn’t surprising, as Quentin Tarantino’s films are so detailed and engaging that viewers continue to find new things to appreciate with each rewatch. Many fans believe an extended cut would only enhance the experience.

Having seen it many times, I’m not entirely convinced by this new version, especially as it’s being presented now. December 5th is the release date for a longer cut of the film, combining the original two parts and adding nearly 25 minutes of footage. While it’s great to see it in theaters almost 20 years later, the original film felt so perfectly crafted that the added scenes feel unnecessary.

With His Uncut Version, Tarantino Overdelivers On A Decades-Old Promise

The collaboration with Fortnite, which was announced earlier this year, will probably upset some longtime fans—myself included. However, Quentin Tarantino didn’t just allow it, he helped create it, even designing the story and a new character, Yuki, who is Gogo Yubari’s sister, based on his original script. Luckily, this extra content only appears after the main movie ends in theaters, so you can easily choose to skip it if you prefer.

However, the way the filmmaker connects his films into a larger story feels forced and doesn’t really add anything. This fight with Yuki was meant to happen after the Bride beat Vernita Green, but even with the story jumping around in time, it wouldn’t have made much sense in 2003 to see a side character’s sister seeking revenge before we’d even met the original character. Even knowing who Gogo is now, the scene doesn’t feel particularly impactful – perhaps because there’s a talking banana watching the fight!

Typical of Quentin Tarantino’s storytelling, I’m jumping ahead a bit. It’s easy to miss on a first viewing that the Bride has already marked O-Ren Ishii off her kill list before they even meet, along with her followers, in the iconic House of Blue Leaves fight. Without the extra scene added after the credits referencing Fortnite, this complete version of Kill Bill is just as brilliant whether you see it as one film or the original two parts, though it feels a little packed. Most importantly, for anyone who hasn’t seen it before, this cut greatly improves the experience by removing a crucial line of dialogue, which preserves a huge emotional moment when the Bride finally faces Bill.

While the added color and gore in the House of Blue Leaves scene are enjoyable, the biggest improvement is the expanded backstory for O-Ren Ishii. This new animation was created by the renowned studio Production I.G, famous for Ghost in the Shell, and wasn’t even included in the special film prints Quentin Tarantino has shown at his theater, the New Beverly, over the past fifteen years. If that longer cut were ever released, it would likely be a fan favorite.

Unfortunately, this version doesn’t look as sharp or clear as more recent versions of Kill Bill that Lionsgate has carefully preserved for home video. While it might appear decent on a smaller screen, it feels a bit incomplete when shown in theaters. The story within this footage also feels less important, centering on O-Ren’s hunt for Pretty Riki, the dangerous enforcer of the man who killed her parents, Boss Matsumoto. It’s visually interesting, similar to the Fortnite clip, but doesn’t really add anything substantial to the overall film.

You know, after finally seeing the full cut of this film, what really stuck with me wasn’t just the plot, but how incredibly well-crafted it is. The writing is so smart, the structure is brilliant, and the acting, especially from Uma Thurman, is just breathtaking. Honestly, I think splitting it into two parts probably hurt her chances at a Best Actress nod back then, but looking back now, she deserves that recognition. She perfectly captures this character’s strength and determination, but also this amazing vulnerability. And it’s not just about the drama of her motherhood – losing it and then getting it back. It feels like a real force that changes her, adding so much depth. It’s easy to see how Tarantino drew inspiration from other films, but she brings it all together in a way that makes her character so much more than just a tribute – she’s fully realized and fascinating, even without all the stylistic nods.

Let me tell you, Thuman isn’t alone in giving a truly exceptional performance in this film. Lucy Liu absolutely becomes O-Ren Ishii, crafting a character far more complex than just a vengeful boss. And Michael Madsen? He’s heartbreaking as Budd, radiating a sense of utter defeat – a man resigned to his fate after a life of violence. But David Carradine… this is arguably his best role ever. Tarantino gives him so much to work with, and Carradine runs with it. He brings charisma, genuine emotion, and a subtle wit to Bill, making him a believable, almost magnetic figure. You need to understand why Beatrix Kiddo was so completely captivated by him, and why taking him down is both a victory and a tragedy for her, and Carradine nails that beautifully.

As a huge film fan, what I really appreciate about this cut of the movie is how it embraces so many different styles and influences. Even just Kill Bill on its own was something special – a massive, ambitious mashup of genres that takes serious talent and guts to achieve. It’s built entirely on borrowing from other films, but now, those little nods and references feel like they belong to this movie, not the other way around. But what really holds it all together, for me, is Uma Thurman’s incredible performance and the fantastic creative partnership between her and Tarantino.

I first saw this movie back in 2003, or maybe it was 2025 – honestly, it’s just a completely unique experience. It’s thrilling and hilarious, but also really surprising, sometimes even a bit shocking, and totally fantastical, all while still feeling deeply human and emotional. It can be heartbreaking one minute and sweet the next – it really has it all! Now that this extended version is out, I know even more people are going to become fans, and everyone will be able to enjoy the cut that speaks to them the most. For me, Kill Bill is easily one of the most fun and important films of the last 25 years, and this version takes it to a perfect 10/10. If The Whole Bloody Affair reminds people why this movie is so great, or introduces it to a whole new audience, I couldn’t be happier.

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2025-12-05 03:49