Basically, "Kill Bill" plays like a "Charlie's Angels" gone gore comicbook and Samurai. Tarantino makes vague attempt to keep some of his trademark ironic comedy, but the attempt is far overshadowed by the blood spewing in fire hydrant fashion.

Uma Thurman pretty much comes back from the dead with one mission: kill the five on her list responsible for her lynching. Bill is the most deserving, but she's saving him for last, so you'll have to wait for Volume II.

If you're up for Clint Eastwood style lines from Thurman, standard kung fu for women, and lots of extras being sliced to bits with Samurai swords -- you'll probably have a good time. If you were hoping (as was I) for something with the cinematic pizzazz of "Pulp Fiction" (you know -- unique fresh story-telling, shocking humor springing from shocking violence, with rock solid acting) -- you'll be disappointed. Better off to rent "Pulp Fiction."

The story line here is thin and simple, though some flashbacks make it more interesting. There's even one sequence done in Japanese Anime -- heavy use of red. As a whole (which it isn't), Vol. I, is rather uneven (though Tarantino may not have been going for even). Far too many scenes go long, indulgent. Obviously, I wasn't crazy about this film, but I think if the editor would have cut as mercilessly as Uma, both volumes could be shown at once (which would be a help) and end up with a cleaner tighter production.

When Uma wakes from her coma -- this is a good scene. When Lucy Liu walks the tabletop of thugs in Tokyo, this is a good scene. But the film strongly lacks other such strong scenes. When people tell you it's bloody -- they're not just kidding, and their not exaggerating. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot more.