Today’s quick review: Sin City. Hartigan (Bruce Willis), an aging cop with a bad heart, fights the odds to protect a young girl from a politically connected rapist (Nick Stahl). Elsewhere in Basin City, Marv (Mickey Rourke), an inhumanly tough thug, hunts down the man (Elijah Wood) who killed his lover. And deeper in the city, Dwight (Clive Owen), a murderer with a chivalrous streak, attempts to dispose of a dirtbag (Benicio Del Toro) to prevent a turf war.
Sin City is a gory, stylish noir with horror elements. Based on the graphic novels by Frank Miller, Sin City features an all-star cast, polished presentation, and attentive writing and direction. The movie follows Hartigan, Marv, and Dwight on their respective journeys, three short stories that intersect in subtle ways. There is no overarching plot, but the corrupt, violent setting of Basin City provides the stories with a common backdrop.
Sin City is heavily stylized. The movie’s art style gives it a distinctive look: a black and white color scheme with splashes of red. The shots are set up like comic book panels, while the film’s exaggerated physics and extensive use of greenscreen give it an unreal quality. Sin City takes itself perfectly seriously, with dramatic presentation of even the most unrealistic scenes and gritty, noir voiceovers from the main characters.
The cast is bursting with familiar faces, all the way down to the smallest parts. Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and Clive Owen star, with Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, and Elijah Wood as prominent supporting characters and Michael Clarke Duncan, Rutger Hauer, and Josh Hartnett in minor roles. The actors all match the grim tone well, with stern, unhinged, or downright unsettling performances depending on the character.
Sin City is not for the faint of heart. Packed to the gills with torture and senseless violence, Sin City explores the darkest parts of humanity through two protagonists who are only heroes compared to the demons they face and a good cop who can barely change anything. Sin City offers little catharsis or redemption, only violence and style. As such, Sin City can be a hard watch, even for seasoned viewers.
Sin City is a remarkable movie that lives up to its considerable potential. Fans of Quentin Tarantino will have plenty to chew on, as will those with a taste for gore and artistic presentation. Those who are even slightly sensitive to violence should steer clear, as should those who prefer a more cohesive plot, need a more uplifting tone, or are simply not in the right mood.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for dedicated execution of a unique vision; your score will be higher or lower depending on your appreciation for its exceedingly dark tone.