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Description

  • Genre: Crime
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • AMG Rating:
  • Regional Coding: 1USA and territories, Canada
Plot
    The Eisner Award-winning comic series Sin City comes to life in this live-action feature adaptation from director Robert Rodriguez and creator Frank Miller. Interweaving multiple storylines from the series' history, this violent crime noir paints the picture of the ultimate town without pity through the eyes of its roughest characters. There's the street thug Marv (Mickey Rourke), whose desperate quest to find the killer of a prostitute named Goldie (Jaime King) will lead him to the foulest edges of town. Inhabiting many of those areas is Dwight (Clive Owen), a photographer in league with the sordid ladies of Sin City, headed by Gail (Rosario Dawson), who opens up a mess of trouble after tangling with a corrupt cop by the name of Jackie Boy (Benicio Del Toro). Finally, there's Hartigan (Bruce Willis), an ex-cop with a heart problem who's hell-bent on protecting a stripper named Nancy (Jessica Alba). Featuring a who's who supporting cast that includes Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Devon Aoki, and Nick Stahl, Sin City promises to be one of the most direct translations from page to screen of a comic series, with shots and dialogue adapted straight from the original comic's panels. Rodriguez quit the Director's Guild when they refused to let Frank Miller co-direct the film, a deal hashed out after the two collaborators developed and shot the opening scene utilizing a green-screen process to harness the stark, black-and-white look of the books as a litmus test for the rest of the production. Quentin Tarantino was brought in and reportedly paid one dollar to direct an extended scene between Del Toro and Owen that amounts to one issue of The Big Fat Kill miniseries. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Bonus Features

  • cc Behind-the-scenes featurette

Actors

    Jessica Alba, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Powers Boothe, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Clarke Duncan, Carla Gugino, Josh Hartnett, Rutger Hauer, Jaime King, Michael Madsen, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Nick Stahl, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Marley Shelton

Director

    Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller

Producer

    Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellan, Frank Miller
Awards
  • 2005--Best Cinematography, Online Film Critics Association-Winner
  • 2005--Best Editing, Online Film Critics Association-Winner
  • 2005--Best Editing, Phoenix Film Critics Association-Winner
  • 2005--Best Ensemble Acting, Broadcast Film Critics Association-Nominee
  • 2005--Best Makeup, Phoenix Film Critics Association-Winner
  • 2005--Best Overlooked, Original, Innovative or Creative Film, St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Associat-Winner
  • 2005--Best Supporting Actor, Chicago Film Critics Association-Winner
  • 2005--Best Supporting Actor, Online Film Critics Association-Winner
  • 2005--In Competition, Cannes Film Festival-
  • 2005--Top Ten Film of the Year, Phoenix Film Critics Association-Winner
Rating
    Graphic Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Profanity, Sexual Situations, Gore
Audio
  • Sound : DD5.1/DTS
  • Language : Eng/Fre
  • Subtitles : Spa
Video
  • Screen : WSE
  • Dar : 1.85:1

Review

    As far as comic adaptations go, Sin City is an unprecedented book-to-screen translation that's locked, loaded, and rip-roaring ready to introduce movie audiences to the mad genius that is Frank Miller. By meticulously re-creating the acclaimed comic creator's most personal work, co-director Robert Rodriguez has given Miller's creation the chance to live and breathe using the exact hard-nosed dialogue and iconic camera shots from the acclaimed graphic novels. The end result is a mad brushstroke of digital filmmaking that is risqu enough to be considered bold, while palatable enough for exploitive entertainment purposes. It remains to be seen what the unprepared masses will think of Sin City -- in fact, there couldn't be a better, more PC time for the flick to hit. Basically a slap in the face to neo-conservative ideals, the film is so full of gleeful graphic violence and raw, steaming sexuality that there's sure to be some kind of backlash somewhere. The cast is a knockout, with major kudos going to Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, and even a smaller, supporting appearance by Rutger Hauer as they fulfill their inspired casting choices and take delicious delight in this world of corruption and sleaze. The stark black-and-white visuals are the real star here though, merging film noir sensibilities and dynamic comic panel storytelling with the help of a heap-load of computer graphics and inventive filmmaking to create something that's new, raw, and refreshing. Additionally, the direct translation is both exciting and a bit jarring, lending an unusual pace that you don't see in modern cinema; just as the gusto violence will turn off many and probably create more cynics in the critical circles, so too will the film continue to polarize its viewers due to its experimental nature. Comparisons will no doubt be drawn between the page and screen for years to come, which might hurt the film simply because it is an adaptation and no matter how direct a translation it is, there's bound to be things that are lost in the process. Still, after years of being jerked around in Hollywood, Miller is finally given the tools to strut his stuff on the big screen and, love it or leave it, perfect or not, that's exactly what Sin City is. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Product Info
  • Release Date : August 16, 2005
  • Length : 124 Minutes
  • Dvdsides : 1
  • Dvddiscs : 1
  • Upc : 786936291568
RequirementsDVD Drive or DVD Player

Reviews (1)

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Most Helpful Positive Review:

Simply Stunning5 star rating
by Nikki I. from Borders - Mt. Laurel, NJ on May 25, 2008 at Borders
"The cinematography in this film is visually stunning. It's comprised of several vignettes that all tie together in someway. This movie is based on Frank Miller's graphic novels of "Sin City". Robert Rodriguez brings those novels to life. The casting is, for want of a better term, perfect.Is it violent? Yes, it is, but the violence is over the top in a cartoony way as not to distract from the story line.I highly recommend it!"

Reviews sorted by helpfulness:

  • Simply Stunning5 star rating
    by Nikki I. from Borders - Mt. Laurel, NJ on May 25, 2008 at Borders
    "The cinematography in this film is visually stunning. It's comprised of several vignettes that all tie together in someway. This movie is based on Frank Miller's graphic novels of "Sin City". Robert Rodriguez brings those novels to life. The casting is, for want of a better term, perfect.Is it violent? Yes, it is, but the violence is over the top in a cartoony way as not to distract from the story line.I highly recommend it!"

Specifications

About this edition:
UPC: 786936291568
BINC: 8017878
Format: Rated R, 124 minutes, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, Enhanced WS
Region: USA & territories, Canada
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Other Languages: French
Subtitle Languages: Spanish
Complete contributor listing