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And while we're at it, let's talk about that blood. As Silman noted, folks unfamiliar with Asian cinema won't be prepared for the geysers of blood spurting from severed limbs.  Much has been made of the violence in KILL BILL, but any fool can see that it's so exaggerated, so cartoonish, that it's not meant to be taken seriously. Even the Crazy 88's blood bath is filmed in black and white for our viewing comfort.

The fight scenes, by the way, are refreshingly light on the wirework and CGI. The choreography is really good, especially the all-out brawl between Uma and Vivica A. Fox.  And schoolgirl Go Go's ball and chain act is something you don't see everyday.

Finally, I can't end this review without commenting on the impeccable soundtrack. It's not just good music, but its novel juxtaposition with images. My favorites: Lucy Liu and her Crazy 88's strutting to some blazing 70's horns and the big yakuza showdown set to a tune lifted right out of the Ennio Morricone songbook.

My only complaint about this DVD? It's a great marketing ploy. This edition has hardly any extras, and we'll have to wait for the big KILL BILL set for Quentin's commentary.  No, it's not high art, but it's a bloody good time.

Director Quentin Tarantino, Master Wo Ping and Uma Thurman on the set of Kill Bill Vol. 1

Quentin Tarantino and Sonny Chiba on the set of Kill Bill Vol. 1

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