Enthralling Pulpy Noirish Comic Picture Show

Rating: 8/10 (15 April 2005)

I was never a fan of comic books, and an even lesser fan of comic book movies. With "Sin City" (oddly probably the most faithful comic book movie ever in that it adapts film to a comic book level instead of adapting a comic book to film), however, I was completely entranced. I credit the aesthetics. Whether it's the stark black and white cinematography (speckled with bright color in all the right places), or the antiquated and noirish set designs, or the clever and amusing use of make-up (especially for Mickey Rourke's lovable thug "Marv"), or the over-abundance of gorgeous women beautifully photographed in all stages of dress and undress, there is always something to look at here. And it was my busy eyes that got me totally caught up in this beguiling world of violence, sex, revenge, dames, shady heroes, corrupt cops, slimy politicians, good-hearted whores, and more castrations and beheadings than any other film in history created by Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez (a director who knows not the mantra of a good editor that I never really cared for).
Ultimately, with its roundabout episodic plot line reminiscent of "Pulp Fiction", the stories really amount to nothing much, but that's just fine because the blazingly original visuals give your mind more than enough to chew on. While you may not think much about the plot or characters, you'll never forget the images, and this is the true testament of a good film. Yes, a great film would have an enthralling story, too, but when it comes to the lowest base of story-telling represented by comic books and their filmed counterparts, you're not going to get any better than "Sin City." Bravo, they've made every comic book film that has come before it and every one that will undoubtedly and unfortunately come after it, a moot point.