Tarantino has certainly afforded us some classic auteur fair over the years, disparate in tone, in subject and in setting, but he always delivers something uniquely him and uniquely memorable. Of all his classics, Kill Bill is the one I frequently revisit. His batshit crazy modernist ronin tale of The Bride (Uma Thurman) exacting bloody revenge on those that wronged her always hits the right notes with me.

Originally conceived as one film, the Weinsteins saw enormous potential in two-part staggered release and forced the reluctant director to split it. It has been literal decades since Tarantino was forced to divide his cut, which has infamously been labelled ‘The Whole Bloody Affair.’ Often promised to be coming to home media, never materialised, we are still to see his original vision (though a theatrical presentation of it is due to hit the US shortly, so I’ve been told). DVD, Blu-ray and now UHD 4K have come without a release, but what we have got is the theatrical editions in the latest (and likely last) generation of home media.

KILL BILL VOLUME ONE

Through a gritty black and white canvas, we meet The Bride, bruised and bloody with a gun to her head, about to be executed. Cut to several years later, and she awake from a coma, her baby gone, her old life vanquished and her thirst for revenge primarily in her mind. A boy howdy does she waste no time dispatching unsavoury characters in her mission to kill every single person that put her in that bed.

What unfolds is an unrelenting, hyperbolic, gory masterpiece that thrills from the opening frame the last. It’s not linear, flitting between timelines, propelling the narrative organically with a heavy dose of over-the-top dialogue and performances that constantly engage. It’s a live action cartoon to relish in (in fact it does have a deliciously graphic flashback anime scene.) The cinematography is kinetic and imaginative. The stunts are visceral and enthralling (the Crazy 88 fight taking the gong).

Uma Thurman turns in an iconic character in The Bride and leads a stellar cast who all leave indelible marks on their respective characters. The entire film is just memorable in the best way that can be said. Even if you have no exposure to Hong Kong cinema, samurai flicks of yore, or hyperactive anime, this film encapsulates every wondrous cliché and benefit from them into a unique pastiche that delivers on every level.

Love this movie.

Lionsgate Limited Exclusive SteelBook / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital 4K

Home Video Distributor: Lionsgate
Available on Blu-ray - January 21, 2025
Screen Formats: 2.40:1
Subtitles: English; Spanish
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

VIDEO

Yeah, not gonna be lavishing the transfer with the same love I did the movie review. This Lionsgate 4K 2160p release is a bare bone upscale, and not a very good one. No real effort has been put into the transfer; accomplish extraordinarily little delineation from the blu-rays you already own. What it does provide is an uptick in contrast and HDR (although limited) embellishments, courtesy of DOLBY Vision/HDR10/10+. It isn’t enough to warrant a double dip. It’s a token effort for a double dip. Stick with the blu-rays.

AUDIO

The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix was also a throaty and awesome presentation for the flick that challenges any sound system. But Lionsgate have again chose not to update with Dolby ATMOS or a 7.1 mix, which is disappointing. Some overheads and a new presentation might have been the clencher to buy again, but just as with the VIDEO I must say stick with your blu-rays.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• None

Special Features:

Pathetic. These releases have no effort put into them. Sweet stuff all included here. You get new, uninspiring cover art and a slipcover for the US release that’s the same dull photoshop picture.

• The Making of Kill Bill
• The "5, 6, 7, 8's" Musical Performances
• Tarantino Trailers Reservoir Dogs
• Pulp Fiction
• Jackie Brown
• Kill Bill Vol. 1 Teaser
• Kill Bill Vol. 2 Bootleg Trailer
• Kill Bill Vol. 2. Teaser

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 111 mins
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Writer: Quentin Tarantino. Uma Thurman
Cast: Uma Thurman; Lucy Liu; Vivica A. Fox
Genre: Action | Thriller
Tagline: The Fourth Film From Quentin Tarantino.
Memorable Movie Quote: "That really was a Hattori Hanzo sword."
Theatrical Distributor: Lionsgate
Official Site:
Release Date: October 10, 2003
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: January 21, 2025.
Synopsis: After waking from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.