For Comic Book and Action Fans, a Must-See

Rating: 9/10 (2 April 2005)

What an incredible, unique, intense, and stylish film.
Based on Frank Millers original comic book, Sin City, this movie is a collection of three vignettes all taking place within the same time-span and in the same location in Sin City, where it is perpetually raining and overflowing with corruption, prostitution, and murder. Each of these vignettes are relatively independent of each other, yet this is a wise choice. This movie moves with incredible speed, much like a comic book would, jumping from scene to scene. At this rate, having three stories is appropriate and keeps it interesting.
In the movie, we follow the conquests of Marv out for revenge for his one true love, Hardigan trying to play the good cop in a bad city, and Dwight as he meddles in the affairs of prostitutes.
As can be told by the previews, the movie is done completely in black and white, except for a few artistic choices for color. Sometimes blood is red, certain eyes are blue or green, and the Yellow Bastard is yellow in complete. This follows the style of the comic book, but is a wise and stylistic decision - the grays make the city even more dim, with the few hints of color act as a wonderful contrast. Furthermore, the movie makes a lot of daring shots that are almost frame-for-frame like you would see in a comic book, also adding to the atmosphere. Overall, Sin City is an artistic masterpiece and original in it's cinematography choices.
What I loved most about this movie were the characters and the acting. Each of the characters had something unique and intriguing to give to the screen...a past, a trait, or merely their unique appearance. You only get a few spare minutes with many of the bit players, but you find yourself wanting to know more about each of them, villains included, so you find yourself intrigued for the entirety of the movie. Furthermore, the casting was right on target. Though star-studded, which can be critical death for many box office hits, each person was placed in the right character, and they pull it off expertly.
I am particularly intrigued by Elijah Wood's character and the fact that he was chosen for it; watch and see for yourselves what I mean.
The directing and writing of this movie are excellent. Indeed, if you are a fan of the Sin City comics, you will be pleased by the accuracy of this movie...certain scenes are frame-for-frame and word-for-word from the original comic book. The story lines plots keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat for the movie's entirety. The dialogue is smart and edgy, and the inner plots will have you wanting more by the end.
Indeed, Sin City does an amazing job at creating an atmosphere and a world that will make you feel transported into it's grim world. You leave the theater half expecting/half wanting for the lobby and streets to be black and white.
As a disclaimer, the movie is very violent and has quite a lot of nakedness. After all, a great number of the characters are prostitutes, and Quentin Tarantino guest-directed, which might say something about the violence level. (Think Kill Bill.) But, that said, if you can handle the R rating and a little bit of blood, Sin City is Must See.