Review: "Sin City"

Information

Title

Sin City

Directed by

Frank Miller,
Robert Rodriguez and
Quenten Tarantino

Written by

Frank Miller,
Robert Rodriguez

Starring

A whole bunch of people

Format

Theatrical release

Genre

Film Noir (complete with Femme Fetales, corrupt cops and lots of shadows).

Rating

R — Sustained strong stylized violence, nudity and sexual content including dialog.

Plot

The plot is made up of three barely connected stories based on the "Sin City" graphic novels "The Hard Goodbye" (originally known simply as "Sin City"), "The Big Fat Kill" and "That Yellow Bastard". For those of you not familiar with "Sin City", I'll just say that the stories are total film-noir complete with narration.

High Point

This movie looks like a moving comic book. Elijah Wood completely embodied Kevin.

Low Point

Some of the effects were a little on the obvious side, but didn't detract too much from the experience.

Context

I have read two and a half of the "Sin City" graphic novels, but one of them was not used in the movie, so I am pretty familiar with the style and flavor of the universe and characters. I have also read other things that Frank Miller has done and generally like his work.

Scores

Story (7/10)

Each of the vignettes is fairly self-contained, though you get the sense of something more lurking just beneath the surface. There is some back-story missing from these characters which is delved into in other graphic novels. Presumably, if this movie does well, we'll see more slices of the "Sin City" story.

Originality (8/10)

I have to deduct points for this being an adaptation, but this is a nice set of stories with twists and turns that'll catch you off-guard.

Effects (8/10)

Generally great, but a couple scenese were painfully obvious in their CG nature.

Acting (9/10)

The cast truly brought life to Frank Miller's characters in the graphic novels.

Emotional Response (7/10)

While I did not feel terribly connected to the protagonists, but I was thoroughly repulsed by the antagonists such that I wanted the protagonists to prevail. Essentially it comes down to the lesser of evils, but I do enjoy stories about evil.

Production (10/10)

The lighting and use of color in this movie is amazing. It really adds to the feel of the piece. "Sin City" is a feast for your eyes.

Gunplay (9/10)

A lot of bullets went flying, and many found their mark (not necessarily having the desired effect though).

Intelligence (4/10)

"Sin City" does not require you to think about it to enjoy it, it's mainly action and suspense.

Gore (6/10)

While the movie is fairly gory in parts, it's stylized to a point where it's not too offensive.

Sexuality (5/10)

There is some sex and nudity (all topless) and a fair amount of provocative attire on the part of the ladies.

Overall (9/10)

I really enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone who can handle violence and some gore.