This movie is an instant classic

Rating: 10/10 (23 April 2005)

I am a long time comic fan so I wanted to like this movie. I think that actually makes me a tougher critic. The movie making process involves so many creative people and so many economic compromises that it is rare when a unique artistic vision makes it to the screen intact. Well, this time it happened. Frank Miller's vision is up there on the big screen just the way it played in your head when you read the books. And if you are not into graphic novels- the Sin City books are absolutely not your fathers (meaning me) comic books-this movie is a perfect introduction to an under-appreciated art form. It is wonderful to see a movie that the creative team wanted to make rather than the a movie that the marketing team thinks you want to see. The story follows the low lives of Basin City as the consequences of corruption and madness play out. This is Mikey Spillane times ten. The guys are tougher and the dames are tougher and I bet even the pets are tougher than anyone you ever thought of. The movie rating is well earned with enough flying body parts to perplex a team of trauma surgeons, but none of it is as gratuitous and stupid as the average teenage slasher epic. Micky Rourke delivers an outstanding performance, as well as one of the all time best tough guy lines. Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, the ladies and the whole cast are terrific. You need to see this movie.