SIN CITY is a place where crime flourishes, the dead speak, scantily clad ultra-vixens rule and anything can happen according to the whims and fancies of the author. SIN CITY is the ultimate comic book movie. Based on the graphic novels by Frank Miller who co-directed the movie with Robert Rodriguez, famous for his stylistic over-the-top gun-toting ventures like EL MARIACHI, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO and the SPY KIDS films. SIN CITY also boasts a segment directed by Quentin Tarantino.

SIN CITY is made up into three stories, all equally interesting cross-cut together.  The film begins with a retiring dick, Hartigan (Bruce Willis) saving an adolescent girl from Junior (Nick Stahl), though this story projects into the future with her grown-up as a stripper, Nancy (Jessica Alba).  The other concerns a do-gooder, Dwight (Clive Owen) who attempts to save a bevy of prostitutes from the likes of dirty cop Jacky Boy and his quartet of goons.  The third and the most exciting has Marv (the unrecognizable Mickey Rourke giving his second performance of his lifetime after SPUN) killing everyone in sight as vengeance over the death of the hooker with a heart (Jaime King).  Not that all these stories matter – they are basic comic book material, and ultra violent ones at that!  All three share the common traits of a poetic voiceover by the protagonist (film noir style), wicked humour (I know there was a reason why I woke up this morning – says a character just before he gets speared to death), over the top violence (chopping off of limbs and heads), comic poetic fare (she is shaking like the last leaves on a tree) and black and white images littered with hints of colour (red represents blood and amber puke). 

SIN CITY employs computer graphics to paste in the background where the action takes place. The technique gives the film an authentic comic book feel and the dash of colour allows the viewer to pay particular attention to certain items (grimace, sneaker, lips etc.) that Rodriguez wants concentrated on. His use of slow motion and swirling images – a Rodriguez trait - give the images a stylish and handsome look.

SIN CITY is never dull. Rodriguez and his collaborators toss in lots of style, action, blood, guts and gore. However, do not expect to feel sympathetic for any of the city’s characters! That is neither the aim nor purpose of the movie. Sit back and enjoy SIN CITY’s glorious visuals and cinematic inventiveness. Needless to say, this is not for everyone, especially the squeamish!