2008 Woodie Awards
FILM REVIEW: Sinfully Sadistic
Comic book style graphic violence makes this action-packed thriller both visually stunning and truly entertaining.
Natan Pill-Kahan
Issue date: 4/6/05 Section: Valley Life
- Page 1 of 1
5 stars (out of 5)
When Frank Miller's graphic "Sin City" novels came out in 1993 they were called many things: misogynistic, gratuitously violent, disgusting and awesome.
The movie adaptation co-directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez manages to perfectly emulate the feel of the books; so if murder, torture and prostitution offend you it's time to turn the page.
Almost a film noir, "Sin City" is not quite black and white, and it's not quite realistic enough, but that's part of what makes it so much fun and so visually stunning.
"Sin City" is a fast-paced, action-filled movie with gutwrenching violence, beautiful scenery and, with the exception of Michael Madsen, the acting is exquisite. Elijah Wood is incredible, portraying a serial-killing child rapist with a chilling grin, while Mickey Rourke pulls off his best performance in years.
"Sin City" tells three of the six original stories, which are set in Basin City, a place where it's always a stormy night, the women are either barmaids or "whores" and there is crime and violence everywhere.
The movie is shot monochromatic while hints of bright color highlight details such as the hair or eyes of a woman, the blood of a cop or a red Ferrari.
The first of the three tales is based on "The Yellow Bastard" and stars Bruce Willis as veteran Detective Hartigan and Michael Madsen as his partner Bob. Hardigan works on one last kidnap-rape assignment that may end up being his last.
The second arc stars Mickey Rourke as Marv, a disgusting ex-con, and Jamie King as Blondie, a beautiful prostitute who picks up Marv. What follows is 45 minutes of Marv's violent revenge against Blondie's killer.
The third story, "The Big Fat Kill," stars Benicio Del Toro as crooked cop Jackie Boy, who leads the pack of stars that include Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Rosario Dawson, Michael Clarke Duncan and Alexis Bledel.
The girls end up in unsavory Old Town and run into more trouble than they bargained for.
Each of the six graphic novels are composed of eight-to-12 comics created by Miller in 1991.
The viewers revisit the first vignette, and Hardigan is just waking up from a coma. Framed by his partner, Hardigan must risk his life once again.
Whether you've followed the comics or if you've never traveled to "Sin City", you will enjoy this wild ride on the haunches of a highly stylized action-noir.
When Frank Miller's graphic "Sin City" novels came out in 1993 they were called many things: misogynistic, gratuitously violent, disgusting and awesome.
The movie adaptation co-directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez manages to perfectly emulate the feel of the books; so if murder, torture and prostitution offend you it's time to turn the page.
Almost a film noir, "Sin City" is not quite black and white, and it's not quite realistic enough, but that's part of what makes it so much fun and so visually stunning.
"Sin City" is a fast-paced, action-filled movie with gutwrenching violence, beautiful scenery and, with the exception of Michael Madsen, the acting is exquisite. Elijah Wood is incredible, portraying a serial-killing child rapist with a chilling grin, while Mickey Rourke pulls off his best performance in years.
"Sin City" tells three of the six original stories, which are set in Basin City, a place where it's always a stormy night, the women are either barmaids or "whores" and there is crime and violence everywhere.
The movie is shot monochromatic while hints of bright color highlight details such as the hair or eyes of a woman, the blood of a cop or a red Ferrari.
The first of the three tales is based on "The Yellow Bastard" and stars Bruce Willis as veteran Detective Hartigan and Michael Madsen as his partner Bob. Hardigan works on one last kidnap-rape assignment that may end up being his last.
The second arc stars Mickey Rourke as Marv, a disgusting ex-con, and Jamie King as Blondie, a beautiful prostitute who picks up Marv. What follows is 45 minutes of Marv's violent revenge against Blondie's killer.
The third story, "The Big Fat Kill," stars Benicio Del Toro as crooked cop Jackie Boy, who leads the pack of stars that include Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Rosario Dawson, Michael Clarke Duncan and Alexis Bledel.
The girls end up in unsavory Old Town and run into more trouble than they bargained for.
Each of the six graphic novels are composed of eight-to-12 comics created by Miller in 1991.
The viewers revisit the first vignette, and Hardigan is just waking up from a coma. Framed by his partner, Hardigan must risk his life once again.
Whether you've followed the comics or if you've never traveled to "Sin City", you will enjoy this wild ride on the haunches of a highly stylized action-noir.
