Tarantino considers this film his best work, while audiences call it "overrated garbage"

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When it comes to his own films, Quentin Tarantino is usually generous with praise, but rarely singles out any one as the pinnacle of his career.

But in the Pam's Coffy podcast, he said it straight: "I was born to make Kill Bill." Here's the paradox, though — not all viewers are rushing to agree. For some, it's stylish cinema gold. For others? An overrated film without soul or story, where homages to old action flicks mask what's basically forgettable work.

The masterpiece that split opinions

The first "Kill Bill" dropped in 2003 and instantly became cult viewing. The fight choreography, Eastern martial arts aesthetics, and signature postmodern touch earned the film 85% "fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.2 on IMDb.
Director Quentin Tarantino in black clothing giving directions to people in black clothing
Behind-the-scenes shot from Kill Bill
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But years later, some viewers admit they still don't get the cult status. On forums and in reviews, opinions couldn't be more split. Metacritic users, for example, write:
  • johnnyboy53: "This is just empty, overrated trash. The fight scenes are pretty, but the plot and dialogue have the depth of a kiddie pool. Violence for violence's sake, nothing more."
  • gracjanski: "Tarantino's worst film. Dated camera angles, stupid story, and an annoying lead character."
  • FilipeNeto: "The film is confusing just to be confusing. The non-linear editing only gets in the way here, and the story itself feels cobbled together from other people's ideas."
Some call Kill Bill a "remix of everything": Japanese anime, "Lady Snowblood" (1973), spaghetti westerns. But in their view, Tarantino created more of a film made of quotes than a standalone work.

Media criticism

Many respected outlets didn't hold back their feelings at the time either:
  • Broomfield Enterprise on RT: "I actually felt like Tarantino was just trying to shock people so they'd forget about the idiocy happening on screen."
  • Hollywood Report Card: "When people say this is bloody, they're not exaggerating. Unfortunately, there's nothing else there."
  • Charlotte Observer: "A bloated, simplistic, cartoonishly violent film."

But the film still has an army of fans

Despite the criticism, Kill Bill has millions of fans worldwide. For some, it's the perfect blend of comic book and action flick, where every scene is its own little show. For others, it's an ode to Uma Thurman and her "Bride," who became a pop culture icon.

And it seems this very disagreement is what makes the film truly cult. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com told you about a Tarantino film with a 7.0 IMDb rating that he considers his worst.