Film Review - Sin City: A Dame To Kill For

City City Bang Bang

Film: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Brolin

Directed by: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez 

Duration: 1 hr 33 mins

Rating: * * *

Since Sin City was released in 2005, over the years it has gathered quite a fan following around the world. The good news is that the all the slickness and noir style is very much intact and that aspect is still a treat to watch. As far as the plot goes, it doesn’t have the intensity of its predecessor. There is more style than substance here except that the style is of the highest order.

Based on the graphic novels by Frank Miller, the directorial team of Miller and Robert Rodriguez is back in action. In a brief recap we are introduced to Marv (a hard to recognize Mickey Rourke) who likes to do it his way, like beating a bunch of goons to pulp for example.  Johnny (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a gambler who takes his chances - he gets lucky in a game of poker against a hard boiled senator but not so lucky later as he gets mauled for the same.

Of the four stories that feature, next is of Dwight (Josh Brolin, the character was played by Clive Owen in the predecessor). He has a very soft corner for Ava (Eva Green) who manipulates him as per her needs.  She is the dame to kill for.

Jessica Alba plays Nancy who wants to avenge the death of Hartigan (Bruce Willis) and her target is the same senator.

The film uses the same technique as the previous one, it is in black and white but there is always the odd color in the frame, mostly red.  The blood that is splashed is hardly ever in red though. While the trademark style from Sin City is there, the 3D doesn’t particularly add any value, with a creative team of Miller and Rodriguez you would expect something better on that count. 

Given that all the razzmatazz is intact, those who have seen the previous film will enjoy this and those who haven’t seen it, are likely to be tempted to watch it after seeing this. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 7th Sept. 2014

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