Sin-fully Good

Rating: 9/10 (16 April 2005)

Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City" is a stunning visual experience with an inventive narrative style. It is unlike any movie seen before. Along with Guest Director Quentin Tarantino, "Sin City" tells it's tale of deceit and vengeance through three interwoven stories. Based on his graphic novels, Frank Miller stylishly narrates the three stories through the voices of three of it's main characters. In a sense "Sin City" is completely style driven, which is strangely enrolling. There are strong performances particularly from Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, and Jessica Alba. The women in "Sin City" are stunningly gorgeous. Jessica Alba is hot as the stripper, Nancy. Carla Gugino as the parole officer, Lucille, who naked throughout is totally hot. She is also good in the role. Rosario Dawson is strong and sexy as the prostitute leader, Gail.
The most captivating story follows Marv (Mickey Rourke), who is this brutish giant with super human strength, and resilience. Marv is tracking down the murderer of hooker, Goldie (Jaime King). Goldie shared the night with monster-like Marv, but was brutally murdered while he was asleep. Marv follows the murder trail along with his parole officer, Lucille (Gugino), which uncovers a gruesome conspiracy at the city's highest levels. This is Rourke's best performance in years. As Marv he is a merciless killer, who he tempers as a noble beast. Rourke's Marv is on the verge of insanity, and has a sense of humor.
Bruce Willis is good as Det. Hartigan, who saves 11 year-old Nancy from Rourke Jr. (Nick Stahl). Rourke Jr. is the son of a Senator. Hartigan saves Nancy, and horribly cripples Rourke Jr. However, in another conspiracy Haritgan is left near death and is prisoned for the "assault" on little Nancy. Hartigan takes the fall to protect Nancy. She writes to Hartigan while he is imprisoned which keeps him alive. Through a chain of events Hartigan is released 8 years later, and attempts to locate Nancy. He soon realizes this was a set up. Willis is solid as Harigan. Jessica Alba as the grown Nancy has the right combination of smarts and vulnerability. She is just beautiful.
The least interesting, though still a good story, involves another guy with super powers, Dwight (a darkly charismatic Clive Owen). In yet another conspiracy, Dwight comes to the aid of former flame Gail (Rosario Dawson) and her call girls, who are caught between dirty cops and the mob. Thinking about it, this story makes the least amount of sense, but is it comical for the gore and skimpy wardrobe. So this ends up being a good thing. A stand out is Devon Aoki as the samurai hooker, Miho. She dispatches her enemies with extreme prejudice and grace.
"Sin City" also makes effective use of Taratino's juxtaposed narrative technique. It is amazing the narration feels seamless throughout. In the end, Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez prove that all resistance to style is futile. "Sin City" is an original experience.