MOVIE: Sin City

This was a pretty cool movie. Certainly has it's own thing going.

Not having read the graphic novels (that word annoys me but is used appropriately here since there is little 'comic' about the story) it is obvious the director is not trying to change the look of the art. Robert Rodriguez was paid to direct but creator and artist Frank Miller is also credited, as is Rodriguez' friend Quentin Tarantino. The effect of the combination is palpable - disjointed storyline ala tarantino, with graphic styling courtesy of miller, and stylised hyper realistic action by rodriguez.

The violence is not to everyone's liking, but Rodriguez hides the worst of it in a Hitchcock-esque manner with shadows, hyper realistic colours, inverses and silhouettes - that said he also highlights it with the same techniques, and after holding back for a chain of shots, reveals the gore in short sharp bursts.

Stars Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke and Clive Owen as the principle charachters, and only Clive Owen slightly disappoints when held next to the performances of the others. Ensemble charachters boast Jessica Alba (wow), Brittany Murphy (who I normally don't like much), Rosario Dawson, Benecio Del Toro, Elijah Woods (who disappointed but a casting/direction fault), Josh Hartnett (not in the movie enough alas) and Michael Madsen (easily the worst charachter and performance). Not many hey? And there are more who don't really have names yet (or ever).

Production levels are bye and large excellent as you would expect all though surprisingly there are a few glaring continuity errors and sometimes the techniques used to enchance the highly stylised graphical effects appear out of place in scenes that the director opts to play it straight and subtle. In particular make up effects (scaring, bandages and prosthesis) will jump out of their correct positions. While in a normal movie these would go unnoticed, the bold highlighted effects in this movie intentionally attract extra attention and continuity should have been a higher priority.

Inner monologue narration reveals the story of the principle charachter arcs, however the ultimate movie is one of situation, not conflict/resolution, which might leave the viewer unsatisfied or whetted for more. In my case it was the former but that is pure opinion. Chances are that I am in the minority and when the sequel (rumoured to be in production) is released, I'll probably have the ticket stub to show I was back for more with the rest.

Defintely has it's own thing goin.

3.5 stars