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Sin City

This may prove to be one of the most difficult movies to review. Not because I didn’t enjoy it, far from it as I found the movie to be completely amazing. No, Sin City will be difficult to review for the simple reason that it is the ugliest beautiful film I’ve seen in a good long while, if ever. For those who are not familiar with the basis of the film, let me give you a quick recap. Sin City is a series of gritty crime story comic shorts written and drawn by comic book legend Frank Miller. Along with Alan Moore and Jim Starling, Frank Miller is often credited with ushering in the era of the dark comic in the 1980s and early 90s. Both the comics and movie Sin City are a throw back to the darkest of 1940s noir films, with the violence of the modern world. The movie and the comic are both compelling and repellent at the same time. Now you see why a movie like Sin City is difficult to review.

Robert Rodriquez wisely chose to tell three separate, though loosely connected, Sin City tales: Sin City, The Big Fat Kill, and That Yellow Bastard. (Well, technically four, but I view the pre-credits scene as a teaser, much like a Bond opening to get the audience in the correct mindset). Rodriquez’s choice to film each short instead of expanding one story proves his love and respect for the source material; bringing Frank Miller on as a co-director didn’t hurt either.

The acting is strong with very few exceptions. I had some problem with young Alexis Bledel of Gilmore Girls fame. She looked the part of the young Becky; I simply found her acting a bit stilted. She wasn’t bad, but as Chicken Scratch pointed out, she acts like a person who works on television. I found that to be a fair assessment. I heard some people notice Clive Owens slip in and out of his accent at times. I didn’t find this as distracting as his character is starting a new life, however, I can see how this is me reading too much into the character. Some people may complain that the acting is stilted and stuttered. However, fans of Bogart films will instantly recognize the style that Rodriquez was aiming for. Again, it was a wise choice for Rodriquez to go with this style of acting as he took many of Frank Millers lines word for word, and in this era of “raw speak” acting, the dialogue would not have felt honest. As it stands now, the acting fits perfectly with the writing style. Of all the great performances the few that truly stand would be Elijah Wood as Kevin whose character will forever alter how you view the actor. Mark my words, you will never be able to look into Frodo’s eyes and feel the same again. The other standout performance must go to Mickey Rourke. God bless Robert Rodriquez for trying to pull Rourke out of acting limbo. His portrayal of Marv was simply amazing. He takes you on an emotional roller coaster. One moment you are cheering for him, only to be shocked and offended by his actions, and before you know it your heart is breaking at his lot in life. Simply wonderful.

Visually the film is a feast. Many people will compare Sin City to last years Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. This comparison is both understandable, but not wholly fair. It is true that the majority of both films were shot in front of a green screen. It is also true that both are nods to the filming styles of the pulp era. However, the similarities end there. Sin City is very much a comic book brought to life. Many comic book based films try their best to place the comics in the “real” world. Sin City never once attempts this. Sin City brings the real world into the realm of comics. As Rodriquez has stated:

“No one could adapt Sin City to film, so I decided to adapt film to Sin City.”

The mixing of black, white and some primary colors is more than a stylized gimmick, the color palette is a character unto itself. I have often felt that we are a bit numb to violence in movies. As if our mind is programmed to not be effected by the violence we see on the screen. The color use in Sin City prevents the audience’s mind from doing so. The violence and rage within the film hits the audience hard and mercilessly. It is ironic that the MPAA goes easier on violence in a black and white film; clearly missing the impact the stark visuals have on the audience. I am certain that some people will complain that the movie looks “cartoony” at times, that it looks like a comic. Well to those people that complain about those visuals, let me say that you clearly don’t get it and while I try not to mock people for their tastes; let me tell you now. Any person I hearing whining about the movie looking like a comic, not looking “real”… I will take you out back to an ally and put a massive nose busting beat down on you… Big Fat Kill style!

Many times I recommend that people who have not read the source comic to wait, so you may watch the film with an uncluttered mind. This time is different however. Sin City the movie is so honest and true to the Frank Miller books that it would only ad to the viewing experience to read the books. With the buzz surrounding this film, you won’t have any difficulty finding the books, but if you can, I recommend purchasing them from Cosmic Monkey Comics.

I cannot recommend this movie enough to fans of crime films, comic book films, old school noir movies, or just a fan of excellent filmmaking in general. You simply must watch this film, repeatedly and over again. I do feel like I should give one slight warning. While it goes without saying that a film named Sin City based on a dark crime comic will have it moments of violence, be ready. The movie is not as gory as many horror films or some modern crime films. However, as I said before, the choice to film in black and white hits with an emotional punch…over and over and over…and over again. Don’t let that stop you though. Haul your owned ass to the local theater this Friday. Take your smoking hot dame girlfriend; take your bum of a boyfriend. Watch this movie, let it soak into your soul!