I honestly didn't expect this...

Rating: 6/10 (11 April 2005)

Given the cast lineup of this film, I expected no less than greatness. It's hard to believe that everyone involved even agreed to shoot this film. Did they not realize that they would be working on complete trash?
First of all, Rodriguez is not renowned for greatness. He's know for mediocrity; he's even more known because of his friendship with Tarantino. None of his films can be considered spectacular; his first major attempt, EL MARIACHI, was worth the viewing, but it all went downhill from there. So because of the fact that all of his films since his first attempt were less than wonderful, it can only be expected that his latest be even worse. And man, oh man did he deliver. There was absolutely NO artistic originality or integrity exercised on his behalf in SIN CITY. What did he do? He made Frank Miller's graphic novels into a movie. Word for word, bit by bit. And that's hard to understand considering the graphic novels; they are only truly known for their vulgarity and perversity.
So here we have this little film. Two hours and five minutes of sixty-nine million years on screen. It gives off the impression that it will explode onto the screen and choke the life out of its viewers. Instead, it CREEPS its way on and grosses you out with less than admirable writing(dialogue, etc.) and lame, lifeless, thoroughly non-engrossing story lines. The only plot line of the film that even resembles anything interesting is the main story, which revolves around Willis's character. It is violent and deplorable only for the sake of being violent and deplorable. EVERY BIT of nudity is entirely useless. The effects were cool to see; but if you want truly brilliant directing while dealing with entirely green-screen effects, go watch SKY CAPTAIN.
SIN CITY's characters bumble through their fabricated world like blind men in a musty maze. Rodriguez didn't direct this film, he simply enacted what need to to be done in order to show Frank Miller's work, which, again, is HIGHLY overrated. This film is disgusting and it is a disgrace to the art of cinema. Some will say that because of the approach taken towards this film and because of its "originality" it is worthy of high acclaim, but don't confuse greatness with experimentation. This was an experiment and it failed. It only shows what it shows and is the way it is in order to push the boundaries. And that need NEVER be done without a worthy subject or without making a statement on something important(usually to/about humans and human nature).
This one missed the mark by miles, and it is depressing to see the raving it's getting all across the country. But still see it; it's a film, and they were made to be viewed. After that, know you saw it because you're a film buff: for that reason and that reason alone should this abomination to cinema be screened.