"Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything."

Rating: 8/10 (13 March 2009)

"Sin City", directed by Robert Rodriguez while working closely with Frank Miller and his original graphic novels, is a sort of film noir for the new millennium. The film tells four separate but interrelated stories revolving around the denizens of Sin City.
The cast that the film-makers managed to assemble is impressive. There are big names like Bruce Willis, Benicio del Toro, Jessica Alba and a multitude of other recognizable faces. Probably the best performance comes from Mickey Rourke, who plays a hulk of a man framed for a murder that he didn't commit.
The script does a good job of bringing the separate stories together though they mostly run from beginning to end uninterrupted. However, the dialogue, which is typical of film noirs, is sometimes unwieldy.
The film's visual style is quite original and attractive. There is a definite film noir feel but the visuals also hark back to the story's graphic novel roots. The music compliments the visuals nicely while staying mostly in the background.
The subject matter won't suit all tastes but the film isn't just a violent example of style over substance. I heartily recommend the film to anyone looking for distinctive visuals and/or lots of action.