The Mahs Bahs Review

Rating: Null/10 (3 April 2005)

Going into this movie, I had never seen, read, and barely heard of the comic "Sin City". After seeing this movie, I may just become a fan. "Sin City" sticks out among the poor to semi-poor rash of comic book movies over the past couple of years. While movies like "The Hulk", "The Punisher", and the X-Men series wrestle with each other in mediocrity, (and movies like "Daredevil", "Elektra", and the end of the Batman franchise wrestle for worst-ever title) this movie has outdone all in every possible fashion - including both Spiderman flicks (both of which were done very well). For starters, the movie looks like it has been drawn. Robert Rodriguez has now firmly established himself as a premier director, WHO GETS IT. Some directors may have taken a gem such as "Sin City" and decided to put their own stamp of what has been done (See: roller blading "genius" of Joel Shumacher in "Batman and Robin"). Rodriguez understood what made "Sin City" a popular comic and embraced it. This embracement ends up in long shots of the characters; quick dialog ripped directly from the comics themselves; vibrant and distinct blacks and whites; and an overall ultra-cool feel which the movie easily conveys. The cast is great, with each character matching well. Mickey Rourke has finally returned, and as it turns out his character in "Get Carter" was horribly misplaced and now has resurfaced in "Sin City". The only downfall of this movie, and it is a minor one, is Jessica Alba. Alba's beauty is unquestionable, yet I wonder if her presence is such in real life that she can continually be touted as an up-and-coming star. This roll is clearly a juicy part, same as her roll in the upcoming "Fantastic Four", and yet the girl can not act a lick. Everything that comes out of her mouth sounds as if her acting coach was Jenna Jameson. MAHS BAHS' FIVE GREAT THINGS ABOUT "SIN CITY" 1. The selected color, such as the reds and people with green or blue eyes. 2. Will go down as one of the 10 greatest movies which encourage smoking of cigarettes, (number one still being "Casablanca") 3. The Ultraviolence Kubrick could only wish he had a chance to put into "A Clockwork Orange". 4. An interesting "guest director" credit for Tarantino, and you will recognize the Tarantino-stamped scenes. 5. Carla Gugino totally nude.