Sin City
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Movie Reviews of Sin City
Movie Review: For all the bad reviews
Summary: 5 Stars
The is a freakin' awesome movie. Before you go into this movie a few things need to be said. First off, this isn't a date movie (unless you have a really kewl girlfriend like I do) and this isn't a movie for kids. (I wouldn't recommend parents of kids under the age of 17 taking their kids to see this movie.) This is not your typical comic book, this is a graphic novel. It is filled with gratuitous violence and nudity. At the same time this is the most faithful comic book/graphic novel adaptation ever put to the big screen and it's made only better by that fact.
Let me tell you, I didn't go into this movie as a fanboy of the Sin City comic book. I went into this as a fan of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. (I'm one of those people who is more of a fan of the film makers than the stars who act in their films.) Two days before I picked up the first book in the series, The Hard Goodbye, and started reading it. I must say I enjoyed what I had read thoroughly before seeing the movie as I followed Marv through his search for the b@st@rds who killed the only woman who ever loved him. I went to the theater on opening day, and was just blown away as I watched the exact same thing, frame for frame as I had just read in the graphic novel.
Style is the first thing everyone talks about when dealing with this movie. Sure, it's in black and white, but the splashes of color mixed with the black and white give you a new way to look at the dingy world of Basin City. (This movie is after all Frank Miller's depiction of Hollywood.) Also the lack of color does also dim the violence a tad bit, but the style is stunning none the less.
I have seen too many reviews downing the acting and dialogue of this movie. According to one reviewer, "The acting was horrendous." But then again that actor was a 15 year old, who I'm sure knows nothing of where this style of acting comes from. Most of the people who give this movie bad reviews know nothing of true cinema, only the popcorn crap that we call movies nowadays. Crap like The Day After Tomorrow, or Freddy Vs. Jason and crap like that. The style of acting that is used in this movie was originated in the film noir movies of the 30's 40's and 50's. It's supposed to be slightly overacted and cheesy. Among the best in this movie are Mickey Rourke as the aforementioned Marv, and a brilliant Benicio Del Toro as a crooked cop who seems to somewhat enjoy a very interesting car ride with Clive Owen in the one scene directed by Quentin Tarantino.
This movie does not have a linear plot by the way. And the characters are only brought together by a mutual friend/enemy/relative. The movie is based off of 3 of the first four novels, and are tied together quite well despite not having a major character running between each segment.
All in all, anyone who is a fan of Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Kill Bill 1 and 2, From Dusk Till Dawn, Pulp Fiction, and/or Reservoir Dogs should see this movie. Not only should you see this movie, you should see it while it's on the big screen, it's only going to loose some of it's luster on the small scree. Not much, but the image won't quite be the same.
Movie Review: Breathtaking! And I'm Not Referring To Jessica Alba.
Summary: 5 Stars
Frank Miller's graphic comic-books come to breathtaking life in Robert Rodriguez's dazzling and extraordinarily violent film. "Sin City" centers around 3 engaging stories. The first involves Marv (brilliantly played by an unrecognizable Mickey Rourke), a messed up, ill-faced tough-guy on a quest to bring his lover's killer to justice. The other deals with the slick, Dwight (Clive Owen), an imposing, trench-coated charmer who unwittingly sets off a chain of unfortunate events by defending his smart-mouthed, physically abused girl-friend (Brittany Murphy). The final entry involves the tormented Willis and his love for a beautiful stripper (Jessica Alba) who he once rescued as a young girl from a heinous kidnapper and has to do so again when the monstrous villain returns with vengeance on his mind.
This film looks splendid. The sets, costume design, cinematography and art direction are top-notch and I don't understand how this motion picture was not nominated for any "Oscars". The film is so visually breathtaking that the images and characters depicted will stay in your mind long after the closing credits. The entire film is shot in awesome black and white and every once and a while a dash of color is added enhancing the visual impact. There really isn't an action movie in recent memory that was this visually stimulating and artistically creative. Rodriguez successfully captures the essence of the comic-book characters without making them appear one-dimensional (It should be noted that Quentin Tarantino and Frank Miller are also given directing credits).
"Sin City" the comic books are not child's play so it's useless to expect the same from the film. The characters are all violent, impulsive and amoral individuals who kill without an ounce of remorse. The violence is graphic but the grisly gore scenes are executed so brilliantly that there really isn't that many moments in this film where the squeamish will be turning away or covering their eyes. They'll be too busy admiring the awesome beauty of the cast, the eye-catching visuals and the skill-fully choreographed fight scenes.
Spectacle aside, the star-studded cast also deserves mention because they all give exceptional performances. Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke are the stand-outs. Both actors are compelling to watch especially Rourke who commands our attention and makes the most out of his vicious but sympathetic character. And a review cannot be complete without mentioning the luminous Alba. That platinum hair, gorgeous figure and other-worldly presence makes a delightful Nancy Callahan. Other's in the impressive cast include Powers Booth, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Rutger Hauer, Josh Hartnett, Nick Stahl, Michael Madsen and Elijah Wood.
"Sin City" is a work of art. The luscious visuals, Miller's colorful characters, the film's bleak, desperate setting and Rodriguez's/Miller's/Tarantino's masterful direction all contribute into making this one of the best feature films of 2005. Set aside 2-plus hours and go along on this joy-ride. Chances are in your favor that you won't be disappointed.
Highly recommended.
Movie Review: Picture book perfection; a film that stands out as unique and exciting...
Summary: 5 Stars
`Sin City' is a film you will either love or hate. There is a lot going on and sometimes it gets hard to figure out who is doing what but if you slip into the mode that is `Sin City' is will all put itself together for you. You just have to want to `get' this movie. I wanted to `get' this movie, and you know what, I did, and with each and every watch through I `get' it even more. The fact remains that Sin City is above and beyond brilliant film making. It's visually stunning and completely captures the imagery that Frank Miller created with his graphic novels. It's dark, gritty and aggressive; violent and seductive. `Sin City' is an amalgam of everything that makes `sin' in general so grotesque. In other words, it's the dark underbelly of a life all too often glamorized.
`Sin City' takes three stories from the `Sin City' alumni and interweaves them throughout one another to create the appearance of one long story. The three stories used (`The Hard Good-Bye', `The Big Fat Kill' & `That Yellow B*****') all feature some strong if not flawed characters that have a habit of making some very poor decisions. What is strange though is that we form attachments to these characters despite their behavior and we find ourselves rooting for them in the long run. You see, despite their flaws and transgressions they are victims themselves and warrant our support.
The acting is spot on for the type of film that this is. I've heard some friends talking about the cheesy dialog and the wooden acting but what they fail to realize is that this is a comic book adaptation and it takes that very literally. Robert Rodriguez brilliantly crafted a world that is so similar to the one Miller created frame for frame it feels like reading a comic, like peering into Miller's graphic novels. The acting thus corresponds with this vision. The dialog is at times even word for word from the books, and the way the characters respond and or interact is classic comic exaggeration. It all comes together to create the perfect backdrop for the film.
Bruce Willis, Clive Owen and especially Mickey Rourke nail their performances, adding depth to the film as a whole. Jessica Alba actually pulls out her finest performance to date (who would have guessed it) and made me proud, and I think she's nothing more than a hard body so she took me by surprise. Elijah Wood is effectively creepy, something I didn't think he had in him, and his character stayed with me long after the credits were rolled. As a whole the performances are strong and are all memorable, Benicio Del Toro and Rosario Dawson coming to mind as key supporting players who make an impact.
Yes, there are flaws to be found within `Sin City' but to me they are few and far in between. I love what Rodriguez, Miller and Tarantino were able to accomplish here and I eagerly await their efforts with `Sin City 2'. If they are even half as successful with the second act I will be a happy man. So just sit back and absorb the imagery for even if `Sin City' is not you cup of tea you can't help but admire the art that is set before you with each passing frame.
Movie Review: Eye candy that tastes like Pain...Yummy!
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best movies of 2005, Sin City has action, horror, and spectacular visuals; all you need is a strong stomach and a twisted sense of humor. I've never read the graphic novels, so I won't be doing a comparison to those, just a review from a happy moviegoer who loves it when style and substance meld together to form a visual treat like Sin City.
The plot is simply mayhem and revenge, cops and criminals, in a dark world of concrete and sin. There's lots of blood, Tarentino style, but most of it is in black-and-white so it cuts down on the squishiness. The plot is not what you want to buy this movie for. Buy it for the absolutely spectacular and stylized photography and visuals, and the stunning performances of the cast.
Bruce Willis aptly and perfectly plays Hartigan, with his "Diehard-deadpan" style. Mickey Rourke is legend in Sin City as Marv, I doubt you will recognize him at first. The hardest, baddest, meanest, toughest, most vile criminal on the streets, and someone you can root for.
Clive Owen (King Arthur) puts his arrogantly serious handsomeness to work as Dwight, a man not to be messed with. Dwight's Valkyrie, Rosario Dawson (Kids, Alexander) as Gail, gives a stellar (and stimulating) performance in naughty lingerie and a deadly attitude. Benicio Del Toro (Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, Traffic) is excellent as Jackie Boy, a bad cop with a bad heart and a bad attitude.
Nick Stahl (Bully, Terminator 3) is awesome. If you liked him in Bully, you will love him in Sin City as Roark Jr, later to become the golem-like yellow freak.
And who can ever get enough of Rutger Hauer? (Blade Runner, Flesh and Blood, Ladyhawke, The Hitcher, etc) Not me. I love Rutger, and as Cardinal Roark, those deadly, cold, ice-blue eyes are soulfully used.
Elijah Wood (LOTR, Final Destination, The Faculty) is excellent as the psychotic, creepy Kevin; a part that you can just tell Elijah had fun with. Jessica Alba (Dark Angel) can't act, but doesn't have to in the pretty part of Nancy. Hats off to Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile, The Scorpion King) as Manute and Devon Aoki as Miho.
Sin City uses voice-over narration, a third party telling of the action you watch on the screen. This movie is as good with the sound off as it is with the sound on. Filmed mostly in black-and-white, the photography is reminiscent of Schindler's List, though 'List' used only one small splash of color and Sin City uses a bit more, the use of color is still limited to such minute and clever spatterings that the impact is still heavily felt.
Using over-the-top violence, impossible feats of heroism, strength, agility, and prowess (Watch for Marv's driving scene and Miho's flying archery) and some very black humor, Sin City achieves a horror aficionado's Zen-like state of almost-nirvana.
Really, forget the plot. It's the photography, cast, acting, FX, costumes, stylization, props, and atmosphere that, alone, bring Sin City to five stars and beyond. Sin City is a must-buy movie. Enjoy!
Movie Review: "Then it hit me like a kick in the nuts."
Summary: 5 Stars
Marv could not describe this film any better. Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez have officially indocrinated 21st Century Film Noir with "Sin City." Color blind, brutal, and simply brilliant. The biggest, nastiest, and most faithful comic-book film brought to stark, gritty life might also happen to be one of this year's best films.
The most soulful story goes to "The Hard Goodbye", with Mickey Rourke giving a career-defining performance as Marv. One magical night with a goddess that ends in death sends him on a relentless quest for revenge on a nimble cannibal (Elijah Wood) and his puppet master (Rutger Hauer). Every answer, every clue comes to Marv the hard way, and he behaves accordingly. But even though an angel will run him down with her car three times and pistol-whip him into a near concussion, he still doesn't hurt girls. The best noirs feature evil protagonists not afraid to die; but Marv will kill, die, AND go to Hell for Goldie on his warpath. Amen.
In "Sin City" men are animals, and women the fodder for them. Benicio del Toro's malevolent turn as bad-cop Jackie Boy owns the story of Dwight (Clive Owen) and his rekindled romance with a merciless whore, when a truce between them and the cops gets violently broken. The only way to keep the secret (Jackie Boy's severed head) is to invoke massacre upon Irish terrorists in love with explosives and a cyclops kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan) who wish to expose the betrayal to the whole city. But The Girls of Old Town can't let that happen.
"That Yellow Bastard" is the bookending story: introducing the film and closing it. An aging detective (Bruce Willis) with angina rescues a potential rape victim, gets double-crossed by his partner, then framed for the crime. The culprit is the son of a Senator (Powers Boothe) with an unholy fondness for little girls put under duress. As the framed cop sits in prison for years, the slimy sex-maniac gets treated with experimental regeneration medicine to replace the right hand, left ear, and package that was so violently taken from him. The result is a pear-shaped, remorphed yellow monster hellbent on exacting revenge. An inside-out physical likeness of the kid's twisted soul. Jessica Alba (as Nancy Callahan) is delicious but not intense enough to respectfully enunciate the horror I myself had tasted upon first reading that scene in the comic. Obviously, Bruce Willis takes the reigns in this tale.
I've heard people say the film is too gratuitous, and I'm prone not to argue. It is. But the only reason it is, is because the graphic novels are, too. "Sin City" is basically a madmen's cinematic experiment gone horribly right. It's flat-out mean, sadistic, and misogynist -- just like all the best film noirs. If you asked this film to apologize for being what it was, it would respond with a bullet. However, it is beautifully realized. Who knew that a premier artist and a superior technician could create a "City" that... breathes its own denizens.
You can taste this film between your teeth.