Culture Over-Kill

While so closely examining the elements of American Beauty and the many genres that it is a part of, I began thinking about what other movies could compare to the broad scope that this movie covers. It may surprise you, but one movie in particular popped into my head: Kill Bill.

While the film cannot compare in terms of acting and deep storytelling to American Beauty, Kill Bill is a mess of genres and a feast of visual communication. Everything from the Cantonese fighting temple to the desert of California becomes almost unreal to us by, not only the insane actions of the characters, but by the angles of shots, colors used (and in some cases, not used), elaborate and unexpected costumes, etc. The genres covered include action, dark comedy, road, in some cases anime, some could argue a Western, martial arts, and the list goes on.

When looking at Kill Bill though, one cannot help but think of other films. So much is jammed into the movie (or movies, since it has two volumes) that it is almost impossible not to compare it, and it's quite possible that this is what Quentin Tarantino wanted when he made the film. It is a perfect example of how old styles can be used to create something completely new. While breaking down a scene shot by shot is interesting, looking at this movie in such a way that would explain the justification of every action and reference would, to me, shed the most light on this bizarre film. In any case, it is the perfect example of a lot of culture at work.