Spoiler-Free review of:
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, 22 August
Genre: Action | Crime | Thriller
Run Time: 102 minutes
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Eva Green
Directors: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller
Geek facts:
– If the name Frank Miller sounds familiar, it should. If you’ve heard of 300, The Dark Knight Returns, or the character Elektra; they exist because of him.
– The Dame was originally to be played by Angelina Jolie.
– While the movie is based on Frank Miller’s book of the same name. “Just Another Saturday Night” is taken from the sixth book in the series, Booze, Broads, & Bullets. While “The Long Bad Night” and “Nancy’s Last Dance” were created exclusively for the film.
Back to the Spoiler-Free Review:
Sin City is a neo-noir action anthology based on (Co-Director) Frank Miller’s graphic novels of the same name. The books are drawn in black and white with daubs of color adding that unique and gritty look for the stories that follow. The Sin City Films are completely brought to life with returning directors Rodriguez and Miller. Rodriguez is proving himself a master, fully taking advantage of the digital video technology, more so than he has in the first film. Much like Miller’s previous contribution to cinemas this year, 300: Rise of an Empire (based on his graphic novel, “Xerxes”), “Dame” is part prequel and sequel to its predecessor. Is it a coincidence ‘Dame’, Eva Green is in both films?
The gritty graphic novel really leaks off the screen here as if it were motion comic. If you’ve ever picked up the books, the film moves just as you expect it would in the books, picking up the pace, flipping the page, its riveting storytelling. It’s full of action, blood and gore; true to form, an honest interpretation of the books.
“Just Another Saturday Night” serves as an intro and sets the tone for the hyper-violence that follows. Mickey Rourke’s reprise of Marv is the same as he was in the last film, truth be told, no one can play Marv like him. Marv is moody, loyal, motivated and brutal; and Rourke is faithful to the source. “The Long Bad Night (Part I & II)” Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character, Johnny, is the luckiest man in Sin City, he’s a gambler with hidden intentions and motivations. Gordon-Levitt is simply great here, there’s just something about his presence and what he brings to the role just feels genuine.
Josh Brolin’s plays Dwight (portrayed by Clive Owen first film), who is extremely underused this time around. However, the scenes he shares with Ava Lord (Eva Green) are truly great – you really feel for his character. As she did in, 300: Rise of an Empire, Eva Green steals the show. You want to hold her, love her, hate her, and do horrible things to her, all at the same time. She truly manages to embrace the very definition of femme fatale, beautifully. The rest of the supporting cast’s acting is rather hammy but fits. Those who’ve seen the first film may notice quite a few cast changes, but it doesn’t take away from the film. “Nancy’s Last Dance” is set about four years after the events of John Hartigan’s (Bruce Willis) death, while Nancy (Jessica Alba), is still coping but yet not over it, still wants Marv dead.
The film is entertaining and visually striking, especially in 3D. If you’re a fan of the books and of Miller’s work, there’s A LOT to enjoy. Keep in mind it’s a hyper-violent film. Not safe for kids.
Check out the trailer here
