A lot of my friends don’t understand my fascination with this movie franchise. Whenever I talk Sin City, they think I’m talking about that stupid sitcom with Michael J. Fox. But I’m not. I’m talking the dark, multiple plotlines seamlessly interwoven, star studded quirky, crazy masterpiece that is Sin City. So on hearing that a sequel was coming out, I was one of the first in line to check it out.
There are far too many storylines to summarize here, but expect to see a few favorites from the first film, like Marv (Mickey Rourke) Jessica Alba (as a significantly more edgy Nancy) and Rosiario Dawson as Gail. Also added is a fantastic Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Johnny…pre-face change.
Fans of the original will not be disappointed. The noir is heavy, with black and white, and non-linear storytelling. Multiple intersecting plot points leave you twisting and turning. Watching this movie is a lot like watching someone weave a really complicated (and also incredibly bloody) tapestry. You’ll be surprised where things connect.
The women take charge of their own vendettas this time around, making the movie a bit more fun for female viewers (all 12 of them). Of course, some do well (Eva Green) some do poorly (Nancy) but they all have their own agendas.
Bruce Willis plays a dead person for a second time, and occasionally shows up to wail mournfully at Nancy. I’ll be honest; I teared up a little…just like I did in the first one. Damn you, Bruce Willis.
I will say this movie is nudity heavy, which usually annoys me, but this time it didn’t. The direction is so artistic all the nude parts seemed to fit. The direction might not have changed much since the first, but that’s ok when it’s this well done.
I didn’t think 3D was necessary and seemed like it was just a reason to charge an additional four bucks.
Also, I think that the sole reason for Mickey Rourke getting all that botched surgery was so he could play Marv. I just love that character and Rourke is ideal in the role, probably because he is used to walking around looking like a plastic faced monster. As Marv, he’s charming, bumbling and scary as hell.
Intersecting plots are done well in this screenplay and help us get closure on a couple of other story lines. It’s fast paced, with a lot going on, but it’s clear. The movie has a lot of style and a lot of action, which can be hard to pull off. There’s plenty of violent and gore, and I’m pretty sure this movie only just escaped an NC-17 rating
I’m pleased to say that I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed the first, because the producers did one major thing. They didn’t mess with a winning formula. Even though this sequel is coming a bit late, at almost a decade, it’s still worth the watch. Hopefully, they won’t take another 10 years to make a third.
WE GAVE IT: 4 Stars – Watch the Official Trailer and Official Movie Poster below!
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