Quentin Tarantino is known for his male-centric roles
like Reservoir Dogs and the
highly-regarded Pulp Fiction. When I
found the Kill Bill movies on
Netflix, I didn’t know if it was going sexualize it’s female protagonist like
other female-centric action movies. Suffice it to say, I was pleasantly
surprised. Not only does this film treat it’s female characters with as much
respect as any male character, the movie has mostly female characters in
regards to highest billing.
Though these characters are nothing to look up to, since
most of them are trained assassins and brutal at that, the female characters
are complex and respected. This contrasts to the other female-led action movies
at the time, like the Charlie’s Angels films. While Charlie’s Angels objectify and degrade the main characters, Kill
Bill does not. The women do not wear anything degrading, do not depend on men,
and act toward their own goals that do not concern being in a relationship with
a man.
How the female characters appear in Kill Bill was also
very noticeable. Many films that have female characters, regardless of gender,
will try to keep the women looking at beautiful as possible. Not in Kill Bill,
where various characters are seen with bloody face, torn limbs, and bruises, no
matter the gender.
“The Bride” is known to be the deadliest woman in the
world, and the other female characters hold different occupations. Elle Driver
is an assassin, O-Ren Ishii is a mob boss, and Vernita Green is a homemaker and
mother. All women have different personalities and goals, making them well
rounded characters.
Kill Bill tells the story of a woman (called “The Bride”
in the first volume) wronged by a man and his assassins after she leaves the
assassin group when she finds out she is pregnant. While viewing the film, most
of the plot and action dynamics makes the viewer suspend their disbelief, the
main character of the film is realistic. Not only does she use physical
strength to get out of a sticky situation, but she also used mental strength.
Her character is not only a great example of a strong female character, with
her own flaws and strengths, but a great example of a strong, dynamic
character, regardless of sex.
Kill Bill is one of my FAVORITE movies of all time! I just love how Uma Thurman plays the role of "The Bride" although she had many different names throughout the movie. The plot is still focused on a man but it is not because she loves him it is because she tried to kill her while she was pregnant with their child. In the movie she was strong and no matter what was thrown at her she always managed to get out of the situation whether using her brain or her strength. It was truly an action packed movie (well Kill Bill Vol. 1). It is true she was not trying to be sexy at all in these movies and the only time she did not have on clothes was when she was waiting to see if she was pregnant or not. You don't find many movies with a female action lead and she still has on her clothes. In most scenes she was bloody and beaten. I believe this movie really showed female action characters in a new light where they can fight guys and truly get hurt and does not have to be sexy or half naked to do so.
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