An extremist exercise in violent based-upon style.

Rating: 6/10 (15 April 2005)

Robert Rodriguez doesn't make movies, he plays making movies. His last effort could have really topped my list along the KILL BILL VOL. 1 section, problem is that VOL. 2 didn't do it for me and the IT list quickly vanished.
Back in the 90s we saw guys like Quentin and Robert having their shot at movie-making. Today they have total access or freedom to do whatever the blip they want. Now that they've made it, it doesn't taste as good as it was supposed to. How come I didn't like this movie entirely?
SIN CITY is based on Frank Miller's graphic dark comics. To tell you the truth, I've never seen any of his printed master work. As if I care! When I go to the movies, it is the frigging movie that matters, not the previous subject that translated into cinema. I mean, I saw BATMAN without caring about Bob Kane, OK? The same goes with the recent SPIDER-MAN 2 and its comic sources.
Full of visuals and insane characters, SIN CITY wants to be more than just a moving postcard. It's black and white with distinguished colors, most notably red: drips of blood, lipstick and a femme fatale dress. Some weird negative image techniques and really repetitive and boring voice-overs proves that it wants to overcome its own self-indulgence so much that you cannot escape two options, that is of becoming a geek freak or just tuning out. Yes, it is that violent and gritty to unbearable extremes.
Everything is background here, only the actors are real. Would this be Rodriguez' PHANTOM MENACE and SKY CAPTAIN statement? The acting is worthwhile, though. It's good to see Rourke involved in such better material, it really fitted him. Owen's and del Toro's chapter was by far the best of the three interconnected stories and they pulled it out really nice. Willis is (almost) always watchable, specially doing a Sonny Chiba's STREET FIGHTER homage here (I hate comparisons, but if it's the Bruce between this or HOSTAGE, I stick with the latter). Jessica Alba still has a long road ahead as a certifiable actress and not just a movie babe. Rosario Dawson was dangerously wicked, representing the movie's extreemness. And, Carla Gugino, oh, I just love you! No one shines here, that's for sure. Don't get me wrong.
Conclusion? Too much Frank Miller, too much comic book. Too much geeky hype. Not enough Rodriguez (he's never given his best, I hope) and not enough cinema. PULP FICTION is definitely the CASABLANCA of this grunge generation. It is sad because I thought these guys were on to become the filmmakers of tomorrow, instead we're facing acclaimed imitators or tracers right here today.