Intriguing visuals, but the stories are getting tedious after a while

Rating: 6/10 (5 September 2005)

The big problem with "Sin City" is that it probably doesn't make for a good transition to film. Robert Rodriguez adapted the look of the comic book faithfully and the visuals are indeed pretty intriguing, but the different stories aren't particularly gripping. The monologes of the respective characters are getting tiring after a while and even the comical quality of the exaggerated violence in this movie doesn't make the whole experience any more exciting. There are some fine actors in this movie (great to see Rutgar Hauer coming back to a big budget production), but Rodriguez directs them all to act like cold, emotionless bricks. Maybe that's what he thought the comic demanded, maybe it's supposed to be super cool, but for me that kind of acting plus the neverending monologes just made the movie monotonous. While I did appreciate the original and affectionate approach and to a certain extend the ridiculous acts of violence, the movie left me indifferent and bored in the end. Still, Rodriguez made a much more honorable effort with "Sin City" than he did with "Spy Kids". It was about time.