If you can stomach the violence, you've got to see the inventiveness of 'Sin City'

By Jared Ocana

April 6, 2005 | While hoping that Robert Rodriguez's recent films somehow would be as good as some of his earliest works, such as Desperado, I have been sick of wasting time and money on many of them.

Yet, with the highly anticipated Sin City, I was pleasantly surprised and mystified by the movie, which Rodriguez co-directed with writer Frank Miller, who is best known for his writing and artistic ability in comic books throughout the '70s and '80s.

The movie is based in the fictional Basin City, and follows storylines from a few of Miller's books. From the opening scene, it's easy to tell that this movie is not like any other film adaptation of a comic book.

Many comic book-turned-films have found a medium ground between cinema and original artwork from the comics. Sin City definitely doesn't. The cinematography is taken directly from the books, and at times it feels you are turning the pages yourself. The movie takes it to the edge of what can be considered rated "R," and makes Kill Bill seem like a pleasant walk through the park, as Sin City is a dark, violent, sexual, vulgar noir film on steroids.

Visually, there has never been a movie that quite stands out like this. Rodriguez devoutly stuck to the creative genius of Miller's work, and if there weren't any dialogue and plot, the movie would still be worth watching. Most of the movie is in black and white with the exceptions of brilliant color in very subtle ways.

The collection of acting talent shines. The cream on the top is Mickey Rourke, who plays Marv, an ugly, almost indestructible brute with a subtle sense of humor that actually lightens the gruesome scenes. Marv is hell-bent on avenging those who killed his love, a prostitute named Goldie played by Jaimie King, and Marv is extremely creative and gory when it comes to the carnage he inflicts on his enemies.

The dangers and twistedness of Sin City are exemplified when the plot follows Dwight (Clive Owens), an ex-con with a new look, when he has a run-in with Jackie Boy (Benicio Del Toro).

Detective Hartigan is played by Bruce Willis, who does what he does best -- play a relentless cop. Hartigan is wrongly accused of molestation, and is sent to prison and is released eight years later only to have conflict with a mutated creature known as Yellow Bastard.

Many who see this film will most definitely find it to be one of the most disturbing films they will ever see.

Yet, it is imperative that if you are fan of movies, this is certainly something that can't be missed because of the uniqueness and originality of the film.

MS
MS