Wow, and…Ick
My usual disclaimer of only speaking comic as a second language and not being familiar with the source material applies.
Sin City is a visually stunning, post-modern comic book movie jam-packed with the kind of comic book violence that used to get people incensed before they had MTV and reality television to complain about. This film is darker than dark, and more disturbing that Dick Cheney in a tutu and body glitter. I’m told that Frank Miller’s comic books have been shot frame-by-frame, and that look and feel is certainly there; the black-and-white is exceptionally high contrast, and the obvious animation is effectively and seamlessly mixed with the live-action/computer animation sequences. Colors are picked out, intense or muted as it serves the plot. The look of the film is as uncompromising and over-the-top as the interwoven stories. The cinematography was masterful, and I give it full points for visual effect. Extra acting points go to Elijah Wood, who has obviously learned a few things from watching Andy Serkis.
The text, although jarring and disconnected, was the distilled essence of gritty film noir. Cutting together several short stories into a feature-length film is quite the trick, and Sin City achieves a certain amount of success. There are places where it falls down, and plot holes all over the place, but so compelling that you can get through the film. I did find myself checking my watch more than once; the pacing is very uneven. The overall tone of the film tips its hat to Hitchcock, but channels classic Hollywood like a medium on acid.
Overall, I would have to say that Sin City is probably the only real comic book movie out there, as opposed to the wave of movies about comic book characters (Spiderman, X-Men, Batman, etc.) It’s compelling, like the televised trial of a particularly disturbed serial killer. Not for the faint of heart or mind, but worth the trip.
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