Sin City

This is a prime example of a movie thats not for everyone. It's an extremely faithful adaptation of a hyperviolent black and white comic book about criminals, hookers and corrupt cops. Of course, I loved it. It's a wild ride. But again, its not for everyone. However violent you think this movie might be, adjust your expectations higher. When a movie contains not one, not two, but three on screen castrations, one of which is performed by someones BARE HANDS, you know you're in a whole new world of violence. Trust me - this movie will be the new poster boy for 'everything thats wrong with Hollywood'. Again, I thought it was great.

Let me attempt to explain why I liked it so much. First, its based on some pretty intense source material. Now, either you are going to translate it to the screen faithfully, which means violently, or not. If not, don't bother naking the movie. I mean, the whole point of the comics was that the only way to bring even a glimmer of justice to Sin City was through some far-out violence. The criminals are bad, the cops are sometimes worse, and evil politicians pull all the strings. So, whatever criticism you want to level at the movie, its a faithful adaptation.

As to the violence itself, its definitely intense, but its comic book violence. I mean, people get hit by machine gun fire and keep walking. People get hit in the head with sledgehammers and wake up an hour later none the worse for wear. As far as realism goes, this is somewhere near Looney Tunes on the accuracy scale.

The stories themselves are great. They are designed to make you care about the characters, believe it or not. I mean, here's Bruce Willis' story: as the only straight cop in town, he stops a child molester from raping and killing his latest victim, an 11 year old girl. Unfortunately, the rapist is the son of a powerful senator who frames Bruce Willis for the crimes. Bruce goes to jail, his wife leaves him, and the only thing that keeps him sane in jail are the letters he gets from the little girl he saved, who remembers him as she grows up and promises to always remember him. Then, one day, the letters stop coming, and Bruce has to find out why. If she's forgotten him, fine....but if the senator's son has captured her for revenge...well...that aint right. Now come on! Don't you want to know what happens next? That's a good story! So don't listen to people who say that Sin City is just a collection of nasty, violent acts with no story. the stories are good. If they weren't, the movie wouldn't stand on its own feet.

The actors nail the tone, as well, which is tricky. At least three-quarters of the movie has narration, which is hard to pull off. Willis and Mickey Rourke nail it, play it perfectly straight. The photography is awesome, too - virtuoso stuff. I hope they make another one of these. So - two thumbs up for Sin City. But, if you're at all squeamish, you should probably give it a pass.

Next: why I won't be crying any tears for Pope John Paul II.