Overrated, but pretty good

Rating: 9/10 (11 March 2011)

Since I tell people I love Watchmen more than any other movie, they have constantly told me "Dude, if you love that one, you will love Sin City as well!". I've heard it so many times, I just had to buy it now. And now when I've watched it, I will give my honest opinion - starting with the good stuff.
I really, really love the style. Black and white with a touch of bright red or yellow colors or even bright white at places makes this movie really heavy on style; and I can not say I mind it. I actually prefer when movies are in their own style - that makes them stand alone more. That's why I hate for instance drama movies mostly, and generic comedies and such - they don't have their own style. The fact that they have actors in this movie I could never believe to be in here is just great. Bruce Willis is in here; and I love his character's attitude. Mainly because it's Bruce Willis, but anyway. Another one I was really shocked about he was in here is Elijah Wood. Did you seriously know he was in this movie? So, you would figure he is some sort of nice and worried side-character who's getting involved into all this by accident and just wants to be left alone? I thought at least that myself when I noticed he was in here. But I got a shock of a lifetime - he plays a villain here. And he is one of the most creepy and scary villains I have ever seen. He is this sort of stealthy acrobatic assassin who's also a cannibal, and wears a pair of glasses that usually shines white. And he never speaks a single word. He is so cocky and creepy in this movie; he doesn't react to being tortured and mutilated. He just stares at the one doing it, while looking completely calm and confident AND giving a subtle smile. This innocent and cute little hobbit from Lord of the Rings has now turned into a potential nightmare! I kinda dig some of the stories as well for what they are. It's splitted up into several stories - like in Pulp Fiction, sort of. You get a good look of how it is in this Basin City - or Sin City.
All that being said, I realize it is not by far the masterpiece people claim it to be. Let me explain. First of all, it feels a bit too slow-moving at times. I get the indifferent feeling at occasions, because there's just not that much happening. Maybe it's because I have the extended version - I don't know. But the real problem I have about this movie is... well, it's based on a story made by Frank Miller. The women are portrayed as being sexual and whore-alike, while still being worshiped as gods by the male heroes. And the males are just shown as "not-worthy" brutes who can sacrifice themselves for women anytime. Marv wants to avenge the death of a hooker to the point of him sacrificing his own life because... uhm, she slept with him. No, really; that's the only reason. Bruce Willis' character kills himself to protect a stripper who has the hots for him (I bet Frank Miller is dreaming about being him from certain perspectives). It's just really trying to show how little equality there is between the two sexes... and I really can't appreciate that. And of course, all the villains are evil and mean to women - especially hookers (Miller's in-official goddesses). Not to mention; all this just makes it feel like Frank Miller is one big fat homophobe. If nothing else, he is a dirty perv.
Regardless, I still really liked this movie. Did I love it though? Sort of. Is it a masterpiece? Nope. Is it better than Watchmen? Not by miles. It's just a very cool and stylish movie that feels like a live action comic book movie - and I still admire that. But this is undoubtly an overrated movie.