Sin City DVD > Reviews > It's a Sin!

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Advantages:	Looks fantastic, razor - sharp script, hugely entertaining
Disadvantages:	Strong violence will put off some

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

"The new Pulp Fiction" has been a tag handed about quite liberally since Quentin Tarantino's epic 1994 film, sometimes to any film which involved a large cast and a few guns! However this year, after an 11 year wait we finally have a movie fit to wear that weighty crown - Sin City.

Frank Miller's graphic novels have garnered a cult following over the past few years, and fanboys were up in arms at the thought of a poor adaptation to film, but thankfully, in the more than capable hands of director Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Til Dawn, Desperado, and er, Spy Kids) what we are left with is arguably the best comic book adaptation of the lot. Rodriguez has pulled a masterstroke in having Miller on board throughout, crediting him as co-director (its actually Miller's name that appears above the film title).

So, whats it all about? Well, Sin City is set in the fictional town of Basin City, populated by hardboiled cops, dodgy private eyes, tough hookers and cannibals among others (sounds a great place to live!). Its three stories do not interlock as comfortably as Pulp Fiction - in fact, only a handful of characters meet those from different tales but the shifting in time may cause a few scratched heads before you work out whats going on.

The film is shot in a hyper-stylised black and white with vivid flashes of colour throughout (a spurt of blood, lipstick, green eyes) giving it an almost unreal look, certainly nothing like has been seen before. From the first gripping scene, you're hooked. Its shot entirely against blue/green screen meaning no sets or backgrounds were used, however the technology helps rather than hinders the film, unlike many others which can suffer from this.

Mickey Rourke makes a Travolta-esque comeback (theres another Pulp link for you!) with his role as Marv in the first story - hes a washed-up ex con who is easily the films strongest character. Waking up in bed with a murdered hooker with whom he spent the night, he sets about dishing out his own rough justice, all the while realising he's been framed for her murder. His path crosses with the mute cannibal Kevin, played by Elijah Wood in a role as far from cuddly Frodo Baggins as you will see.

Marv is an amazing character, his brute strength and good heart leading him on a quest for the truth.

Next up is the tale of Dwight (Clive Owen), a gumshoe trying to keep his waitress girlfriend Shellie (Brittany Murphy) from the slimy grasp of her ex, Jackie Boy (a brilliant but under-used Benicio Del Toro). Dwight unwittingly sets in motion a turf war between the tough hookers of Sin City (led by the warrior queen Gail, the excellent Rosario Dawson) and the mob, leading to a superb shoot-out scene which is easily the most exciting of the film. This segment also has the scene directed by none other than Tarantino himself - clue: its set in the car and contains QT's trademark jet black humour!

The final story (which is started before the other two and then finishes the movie) concerns jaded cop Hartigan (Bruce Willis) looking forward to a well-deserved retirement but determined to save a young girl from the clutches of evil molester Roarke Jr (played well by Nick Stahl) who happens to be the son of the poweful senator of Basin City. Years later, the girl has grown up to be sexy table dancer Nancy (Jessica Alba) but still needs Hartigans help when the hideously disfigured Roarke Jr makes a reappearance intent on getting revenge on her and Hartigan.

This is one amazing film - visually stunning (pick up one of the books if you haven't read them and marvel at how well their look has been recreated on celluloid) and shot with a nervous energy which makes its 2 hour running time fly by - its a throwback to the noir-ish thrillers of the 1940's but with a modern take of imaginatively gruesome deaths and killer dialogue.

Some critics have stated that this a boys film, which is wrong - although the cast is male-heavy and the majority of female characters are scantily clad and/or waiting to be saved by their male counterparts, it will appeal to anyone, male or female who appreciates a fun film, and something a bit different to your usual multiplex fodder.

However, those with a nervous dispostion will be best staying away - Sin City is never going to appeal to everyone, and those who prefer their heroes to be heroic and like their endings happy will not find much to like in this film.

The new Pulp Fiction? Probably. The coolest film of the year? Definitely. Pay a visit to Sin City today!