Instead, it’s the soundtrack which slides into self-indulgence. But such tendencies were largely kept under control, perhaps because there wasn’t much dialogue in which to work smug references. When it opened with a quote from Star Trek (of questionable relevance), I feared this was a Kevin Smith movie, rather than the brutal action pic I wanted. But I have to say, the first part of Kill Bill is almost entirely satisfactory, recovering after a shaky start. I say this, so you know I am no drooling fanboy, and am probably inclined to be more critical than most. I’d rather praise film-makers such as David Cronenberg, who do more than cobble together pieces “borrowed” from other people, no matter how amusingly post-modern the results may be.
If you’ve seen the infamous Who Do You Think You’re Fooling?, which intercuts clips from Reservoir Dogs with very similar scenes from a Hong Kong movie made several years previously, City on Fire, you’ll know what I mean. There is also the nasty question of how much of what is praiseworthy, is actually Quentin’s own work. And don’t even get me started on his lack of ability as an actor… I have no interest in hearing about the meaning of Madonna songs, or knowing what they call quarter-pounders in France.
That’s why I prefer From Dusk Till Dawn, Natural Born Killers and True Romance, and find Reservoir Dogs, and especially Pulp Fiction, very over-rated.
I do admire his talents as a scriptwriter, but think he needs someone else to rein in the pop-culture references and other self-indulgent excesses which pepper his work. In fact, every time I see his smug little face, I have to resist the urge to hit something.
0 kommentar(er)
