Released in 2003, Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed "Kill Bill: Vol. 1," an action, thriller, and fantasy film featuring Uma Thurman as The Bride, who is out for revenge against the group of assassins that wronged her—a group she used to be a part of. Her quest leads her through locations including El Paso, Pasadena, and Okinawa. Vivica A. Fox, Lucy Liu, Julie Dreyfus, and Michael Madsen are among those appearing as various assassins or people assisting them. "Kill Bill” is an inventive blend of elements from 60s-70s Bond films, Spaghetti Westerns, and martial arts movies, but updated with contemporary production techniques. At times it feels like a superhero film because The Bride functions as an anti-superheroine who defeats numerous skilled opponents—for example, the extended black and white fight against the Crazy 88s. I particularly enjoyed hearing Ennio Morricone’s "Death Rides a Horse." However, there's a lengthy and not very good animated segment, and the characters don’t have much depth or feel realistic; still, it’s hard to dismiss the film’s energy. It prioritizes style over substance, but it is diverting in an unusual and fashionable manner. Because the two parts were originally intended as one movie, seeing “Vol. 2” is essential to fully understand and evaluate "Kill Bill.” The second installment provides missing information. The film has a running time of 111 minutes and was filmed in Texas, California, Mexico, Tokyo, Beijing, and Hong Kong. GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)

Source on TMDB