Bad Girls: The Ladies of Kill Bill
Quentin Tarantino has never been one to shy away from making movies with strong female characters. Jackie Brown is arguably one of his best films and one has to look no further than the film’s poster to see that it stars the radiant and legendary Pam Grier. His very next film, however, would be a crowning achievement in the world of female ass-whoopery and a 2-part introduction into the unforgiving world of the revenge-obsessed bride played by Uma Thurman. One could say that Tarantino’s love for Asian cinema led him to make this film but it was a chance conversation with Thurman on the set of Pulp Fiction that set this story in motion. While the star of Kill Bill is most definitely Thurman’s Bride, no hero is ever complete without a good villain and leave it to Tarantino to fill his movie with the cream of the crop of evil. These are the Bad Girls of Kill Bill!
Vivica A. Fox is Vernita Green aka COPPERHEAD
As members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, Vernita Green made her mark in more ways than one. She was an expert with a blade, no doubt, but her most important contribution as a team member was her role in the killing of the wedding party in that small church in the middle of the desert. Allowed to live and move on from her assassination days, it appears that Vernita builds a new life with a husband and child of her own. Unfortunately for her, she is on a short list of people to visit once The Bride recovers from her years in comatose.
Daryl Hannah is Elle Driver aka CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN SNAKE
The blonde bombshell plays the vengeful and jealous Elle Driver. A woman so dedicated to Bill that she will kill or not kill anyone he tells her to. She’s mastered all of the killing arts but is especially adept at poisons and other methods to bring her enemies down. A deep hatred for The Bride and her infatuation with Bill made her betrayal that much easier. It isn’t until the second volume of this revenge chronicle that we get the battle between Elle and The Bride but it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.
Chiaki Kuriyama is Gogo Yubari
Tarantino is a self-described massive fan of the Japanese film Battle Royale (2000) and it was for this reason that he incorporated Chiaki Kuriyama into this film. Gogo plays the personal bodyguard of O-Ren Ishii, which is a woman who could certainly fend for herself. The small scenes we have with Gogo certainlyl paint a picture of a deranged young woman who gets lots of pleasure from killing. A perfect monster for a revenge epic like this one!
Lucy Liu is O-Ren Ishii aka COTTONMOUTH
Like many of the other roles in this film, Lucy Liu was brought on after Tarantino was impressed by her work in Shanghai Noon. His love of cinema once again dictating his casting choices and aiding them in this case. O-Ren is the boss of the Yakuza and one which rules with a deadly and unnerving hand. The epic showdown in the final act (or was it the second half?) of the film all leads up to The Bride’s duel with O-Ren Ishii and one of the coolest set pieces I’ve seen in some time.
