Sin City: A Funny, Sexy and Violent Comic Book Movie

"Comic book" movies seem to be the new trend in Hollywood. And we all know that a lot of them are awful (The Hulk, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Daredevil). And going to see Sin City that was my biggest concern.

However, Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez kept control of Sin City and were able to bring it to life in all of its uncompromising brutal glory.

Sin City is based on three stories- "The Hard Goodbye," "That Yellow Bastard," and "The Big Fat Kill." "The Hard Goodbye" is almost verbatim with the other two being slightly abridged and amended.

Generally speaking, the actors pulled their weight- for the most part. Clive Owen lived up to many a high expectation as Dwight. Mickey Rourke is unrecognizable as the relentless juggernaut Marv. Bruce Willis is, as always, an older guy who cannot relate to women- a role he has played since Die Hard, but it is spot on for his Hartigan in Sin City. Without speaking a single word, Elijah Wood delivers one of his most powerful performances. Nick Stahl brings to life the ominous Yellow Bastard. I would say that the most disappointing thing about the film is Jessica Alba's performance. She simply wasn't the dancer that Nancy is in the comics.

This film is amazingly true to its source. For those who were familiar with Frank Miller's Sin City, they knew every twist before it happened, knew lines of dialogue as they were spoken, and recognized each shot as the black and white pages of the comics.

However, it is important to know what it is you are getting yourself into before you see the film. If you are simply expecting some fluff comic book movie, be warned now. The first gunshot is fired before the opening credits. There are scenes of mutilation. Be prepared for the use of rubber tubing.

Sin City is very funny, very sexy, very violent.