"Worth Dying For, Worth Killing For, Worth Going To Hell For"

Rating: 10/10 (10 March 2015)

These immortal words that issue from Marv's mouth before the killing of a corrupt Priest echo throughout the film. They actually act as a phrase that I myself would use to describe the lengths I would go to, so that I can watch the film time and time again. The film is adapted from the graphic novels that bear the title 'Sin City'. It is Frank Miller's own creation, his baby, and his masterpiece. It is only fitting that he is in charge of directorial duties with Robert Rodriguez and a certain special guest director by the name of Quentin Tarantino.
Nothing has ever been made to the levels of artistry of 'Sin City' and nothing ever will be. The film is an exceptionally crafted one that defies reason, logic and gravity. But let me try my best to explain the plot or all three of them. This is because 'Sin City' is broken up to three acts but in UN chronological order as well as the prologue and immediate end of the picture. Just like Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction'. What is actually stupendous is that 'Sin City' stands on its own two bleeding legs.
From the first opening shot, we are enlightened. The colour palette of the film is unique, with hues of black, white and grey, Miller choosing to occasionally add a splash of colour. Whether that be dazzling blue eyes, gorgeous blonde hair or the flowing ebb of red hot blood. In the opening prologue we see two characters upon a balcony, they gaze at each other, chat and embrace. The man promptly shoots her in the stomach. With almost an inaudible whisper he utters "I'll never know what she was hiding from. I'll cash her cheque in the morning". Welcome to Basin City; corruption, greed, gang violence, guns and prostitutes. It's a dirty place to live.
Even Bruce Willis as the loyal and hardened Police Officer John Hartigan manages to get himself mixed up in it all. He is weary with grief and nervousness. Roark Juniour played creepily and jitterishly by Nick Stahl is on the hunt to rape and kill his fourth victim, eleven year old Nancy Callahan. Hartigan tries to prevent Roark from committing these atrocious acts. But with every life hanging in the balance there is a price to pay. Willis appears elevated by the screen time he gets, and offers a varied performance full of heart and soul. He is sad to have to say goodbye and so are we.
The second distinct act of Sin City is devoted to the character of Marv, played with swaggering and scary intimidation by the never better Mickey Rourke. Marv wakes up after a one night stand only to find his lover Goldie, dead. He goes on a hunt to seek justice for this indecent crime. He even comes face to face with the silent but violent Kevin played gleefully but most astonishingly of all by Elijah Wood. What happened to the innocent little Hobbit from 'The Lord of the Rings'? It seems that even the best of people can turn awfully nasty from staying in a place like Basin City for too long. Kevin is more than a match for the brutish Marv and the tension was beyond excruciating. My heart almost left my body.
The third and sadly final act of the film concerns Dwight played by the brilliant and truly marvelous Clive Owen. Dwight helps his girlfriend Shelley, when her ex-boyfriend the abusive Jackie Boy comes a calling; Benicio Del Toro who gives the film a stand out performance plays him with verve. Dwight convinces Jackie Boy to leave, in his own aggressive manner and then proceeds to follow him after he has left. Jackie Boy stupidly harasses a young and naïve prostitute in the seedier parts of the town, where the hookers run the joint and not the police force. All hell breaks lose and Dwight becomes entangled in the whole dramatic event as well.
If you do not feel jolted by the events that take place, then perhaps you do not realise just how ballsy 'Sin City' really is, stylistically and structurally. The film never backs down or becomes scared of the gory levels of violence that it exhibits in unflinching detail. If you are faint hearted now might be the time to turn on 'Toy Story'.
Furthermore, the music crackles and fizzes through the combined magic of Rodriguez and John Debney. The score reflects the horrific acts of violence on screen. But God help me, I was pummeling my fists into the ground for further sophistication, graphic violence and awesome score cues. Perhaps this film has changed my very nature, to the point where I am beyond redemption. But I figure, small price to pay for watching a bold, brutal and brilliant masterpiece of the twenty first century.
Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller and of course the influential Quentin Tarantino work wonders and unleash all hell on screen with this graphic novel adaptation. Witty lines are ever present, grittiness overcomes all and the performances are bloody marvelous! The style that Miller adopts is directly lifted from every frame of the graphic novel and of course is eye popping! This just makes me scream for more! If 'Sin City' does not make the sick, twisted devil inside you shout with delight, then maybe you are best suited to watching the latest young adult novel adaptation instead.