Brutal, Beautiful, Breathtaking Sin City

Rating: Null/10 (4 April 2005)

With any luck Frank Miller's "Sin City" will inspire a new genre of film-making - a literal union between film-making and the world of comic books/graphic novels. I know, I know, there have been countless films inspired by the world of comic books which have attempted to recreate the chills and thrills. Not one of them - even the best (e,g,, Spiderman series, Tales from the Crypt, etc.) has been remotely as successful as the creative team that gives us this brilliant, jarring, vision.
Rodriguez, Miller and company obviously put themselves (and the cast) through painstaking paces to assure every frame, every emotion emoted by an astonishing array of live talent is instilled with the gritty, graphic hyper-realism of the world of Frank Miller. It is a breathtaking achievement which, alas, will go unnoticed by the Academy, and under-appreciated by many who don't "get" this world.
The cast is nothing short of remarkable: Mickey Rourke gives his finest performance since Barfly - maybe ever. Bruce Willis has never given a better performance than as retiring cop, Hartigan. Everyone involved is obviously relishing having the time of their lives. Outside of Shakespeare I can't imagine anything currently more theatrically over-the-top and satisfying for an actor than being associated with Sin City.
For many the violence will be of too gory and graphic a nature (gorygraphic?). Others will enjoy the rough, violent and stylized ride but will also be appreciative of the often stunning beauty of so many of this film's images. The final tale in the trilogy of stories that comprise the movie's narrative is shot with the cool and chill of a winter bathed by endlessly falling snow of such exquisite beauty that I find no difficulty saying it is among the most beautiful images I've seen in any film. Ever.
Highest Recommendation.