Robert Rodriguez is an undervalued talent

Rating: 9/10 (3 April 2005)

I rarely hear anyone mention Robert Rodriguez as one of the best directors today, but he really is. He's the definition of an auteur. He does his own thing, and the movies he makes are completely his. Who cares that they're pap? There is such a thing as great pap, and Rodriguez, though he might not get the kudoz he deserves today, is the king of it. And, judging by his insistence at Frank Miller's directorial credit on the film, which led to Rodriguez's resignation from the DGA, he's a great collaborator and a grand example of modesty, as well. Sin City is an exceptionally entertaining film. It's not deep, but it's engrossing. The script is made up of three (and a half) short stories, starring some of the most wicked anti-heroes of filmdom. Mickey Rourke's segment will probably be best remembered. He plays a giant thug trying to avenge a prostitute who gave him the night of his life. Clive Owen plays a murderer just out of plastic surgery who wants to protect an abused girl (Brittany Murphy) from her ex-boyfriend (Benicio del Toro). Things get out of hand when the two men wander into a section of town run by lethal hookers. The final main segment, which actually wraps around the other two, involves Bruce Willis as a cop who saves a young girl from violence, only to be framed for that very violence. Rodriguez doesn't shy away from either the film noir or comic book origins. Instead, the two sources explode. The Raymond Chandler-esque dialogue is a hoot. This will be one film to be remembered when making our Best of 2005 lists.