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Rating: Sin City was released in theaters in 2005. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino's favorite protégé, this film, adapted from the Frank Miller comic of the same name, narrates events that take place inside the city of Basin City where corruption, crime, prostitution reign supreme, and where you can find all kinds of characters—from the guy who feels at peace with his conscience by eating people, to prostitutes better armed than the police, to a miniature ninja.
Let's say right away that it was absolutely not easy for Rodriguez to convince Frank Miller to adapt his comics into a film as he was very doubtful about the success of the project (and who can blame him after all the garbage you see these days). To get the green light, Rodriguez had to shoot a short test scene of about 5 minutes, bringing along actors of the caliber of Josh Hartnett ("Lucky Number Slevin") and Marley Shelton; this scene not only convinced Frank Miller of the project's merit but was so well done that it was included in the film as the opening scene. After this anecdote, let's move on to the film which is divided into three episodes, each representing a different comic: "The Hard Goodbye", "That Yellow Bastard", and "The Big Fat Kill".
"The Hard Goodbye" is the episode that, perhaps because I'm a bit sadistic, I liked the most: it tells the story of Marv (a phenomenal Mickey Rourke) who wants to avenge at all costs the death of Goldie, one of Basin City's old town's many prostitutes, but also the only woman who gave herself to him, a brute with a scarred face. To enact his revenge, he must climb the social ladder of Sin City to the top where Cardinal Roark stands, who along with his brother, Senator Roark, are the city's bosses. "That Yellow Bastard" stars Bruce Willis as Inspector Hartigan, close to retirement due to a failing heart, but with one goal in mind: to save little Nancy from the rape of a maniac who, coincidentally, is the senator's son and therefore untouchable by the entire police force except him. After saving the girl by leaving the senator's son without his best "weapon" (a nod to the wise), Hartigan, after some time, must save Nancy, now grown (the stunning Jessica Alba), once again from a new attack by the senator's son who has transformed into a foul yellow creature. "The Big Fat Kill" stars Dwight (Clive Owen) and his undying love for Gale (Rosario Dawson), part of the Old Town prostitute gang. Noteworthy in this last episode is a scene directed by Tarantino (the "little and deadly" Miho in action) and a great performance by Benicio del Toro as the drunk cop whose lifeless body risks putting the prostitutes in serious trouble.
This film, or rather, these comics highlight the figure of the anti-hero (except for Hartigan): Marv and Dwight are actually criminals deserving life sentences, but in this film, they represent good as they go against the evil represented by the Roarks. A special mention in this film goes to Elijah Wood: the "Lord of the Rings" star is unrecognizable and masterfully portrays one of the comic's most intriguing characters, the prostitute killer who enjoys eating them alive with his wolfdog. Another highly positive aspect of the film is its visuals: all in black and white noir style, interspersed here and there with splashes of red and yellow, giving the idea of being inside one of Miller's comics.
In conclusion, I would say that this film is a great success, and credit for this goes to the computer: indeed, the film was shot entirely digitally in the studio and later reconstructed on the computer, and this, in my opinion, is something that makes one reflect on what the future of cinema might be. Of course, opposing viewpoints have already emerged: there are those who encourage this new digital era and those who oppose it (one name among them being Brian de Palma), preferring cinema as it has always been. The choice is yours!
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