Stephen King Calls Iconic Quentin Tarantino Movie on Netflix “Dully full of itself” and “tiresome”
Stephen King has always been happy to tell you exactly how he feels. He’s no stranger to shade. But even with that in mind, I was taken aback when I happened upon an op-ed the author penned for EW a while back. Within the article, the celebrated writer take shots at both Quentin Tarantino and film critics. Yikes.
King suggests that film journalists are nicer to movies because we get in for free and don’t have to pay for parking or hire a babysitter. While it’s true that critics typically get complimentary admission for an honest writeup, I feel compelled to counter that parking and childcare are not part of the arrangement. The author’s spicy diatribe then goes on to liken volume one of Kill Bill to a vanity project with no meat on its bones. Eek.
“You probably saw some good reviews of [Kill Bill], possibly even in this magazine,” King begins. “Steve says don’t you believe it. Steve says you should remember that movie critics see movies free. Also, they don’t have to pay the babysitter or spring 10 bucks for the parking. They’re thus apt to rhapsodize over narcissistic stuff like Kill Bill, which announces itself as Quentin Tarantino’s Fourth Film, ain’t we la-di-da.
Kill Bill isn’t a benchmark of awfulness like Mars Attacks! or Mommie Dearest; it’s just dully full of itself. Uma Thurman tries hard, and she’s the best thing in the movie, but in the end she’s stuck playing a woman who’s a label instead of a human being: She is, God save us, the Bride.
The violence is choreographed like an Esther Williams swim routine. When the Bride dispatches at least 70 kung-fu goons in one scene, blood spurts from amputated limbs, often in pretty spirals. And the movie’s litany of in-jokes is so tiresome.
There’s not even an ending you can hang your hat on; we’re just told to stay tuned for more — more karate kicks and throws, more falsetto birdy-sounding battle cries. It’s certainly well made, and the story garners some of our interest as it goes along, but dull is still dull, isn’t it? All I’m doing here is trying to focus the feelings of vague dissatisfaction you’re apt to experience leaving this movie, the sense that you came to be entertained and instead found yourself warming your hands at the bonfire of Quentin Tarantino’s vanities.”
There you have it, folks. Stephen King is full of surprises and never one to hold back his thoughts.
In case you are unfamiliar, here is the setup: A former assassin, known simply as The Bride (Uma Thurman), wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) attempts to murder her on her wedding day. Fueled by an insatiable desire for revenge, she vows to get even with every person who contributed to the loss of her unborn child, her entire wedding party, and four years of her life. After devising a hit list, The Bride sets off on her quest, enduring unspeakable injury and unscrupulous enemies.
That’s all we’ve got for the time being. Stay tuned to the site for more outspoken commentary as we unearth it. And be sure to follow @DreadCentral on Twitter so you never miss an update.
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