Not for those easily offended, but powerful.

Rating: 8/10 (16 March 2015)

My son gave me this movie with the assurance I would like it. I was completely unfamiliar with the genre of graphic comics/novels, Frank Miller, etc so you can imagine that after about 15 minutes I was wondering just what kind of person he though his old man really was. Once I recognized the nature of the production I was able to settle in and enjoy the show.
My son was right, I enjoyed it immensely. Though gratuitous violence and gore aren't my style of entertainment, once I accepted it as more or less comic-book excess I really focused on the characters, dialog and individual performances. Mickey Rourke's portrayal as a hulking mountain of man-stink and physicality was extraordinary. Jessica Alba's glowing, self-assured combination of innocence and sexual allure was almost unendurable. Benicio del Toro's raspy, slimy character was as despicable and hate-able as any I have seen in cinema - or real life for that matter.
"Not for everyone" is a well-deserved codicil for this film, but for those who like an in-your-face exhibition of the seamy side of humanity and aren't easily offended will find this a real pearl.