Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
2.5/4
Starring: Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mickey Rourke, Eva Green, Powers Boothe, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis
Rated R for Strong Brutal Stylized Violence Throughout, Sexual Content, Nudity, and Brief Drug Use
"Sin City" was a breath of fresh air. It was a dark, brutal and ultra-violent film noir that packed a knockout punch. It used the panels from Frank Miller's graphic novels as storyboards for the film, giving it a unique look and personality. The long-awaited follow up, "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," attempts to replicate its success, but there's something missing.
As was the case in the first film, there are three interlocking stories that are (mostly) told consecutively. First up is "Just Another Saturday Night," where the heavily scarred hulk Marv (Rourke) hunts down a bunch of violent frat boys. "The Long Bad Night" has Johnny (Gordon-Levitt) in a poker battle with the vicious Senator Roark (Boothe). "A Dame to Kill For" has Dwight McCarthy (Brolin in the role previously played by Clive Owen) trying to resist an old flame, Ava Lord (Green). Finally, there's "Nancy's Last Dance," where Nancy Callahan (Alba) makes a vow to avenge Hartigan (Willis).
The problem here is two-fold. First, the spark of innovation is gone. Audiences hadn't seen a comic book come to life in that way. "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" lacks enough gas in many respects to recapture the same "WOW" factor. There is a definite "been there, done that" to the proceedings that directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller are unable to avoid.
The second problem is on a more basic level: the stories just aren't as interesting. The stories that make up this sequel feel like leftovers. They're either derivative and not dynamic ("The Long Bad Night"), ineptly told ("A Dame to Kill For") or too short (the other two). The first problem is small enough to be overlooked had the intangibles been in place. Sadly, they're not.
Another thing that the original had were flawless performances. Cast members were selected not because they were popular or tabloid stars, but because they were perfect for their roles. Rourke made a big enough comeback to get an Oscar nomination for "The Wrestler" (which was overrated, but never mind) and to become the villain in "Iron Man 2." "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" isn't as top heavy with talent. Most are effective, but no more. Eva Green and Powers Boothe are scene-stealers. Green has a ball chewing on the scenery, and she & Rodriguez make it clear that she can smolder the screen like few others. Powers Boothe is truly chilling as Roark; he's the patron saint of all evil in Sin City. There are some missteps. Michael Clarke Duncan played the small role of Manute in the original, but his death necessitated recasting. Sadly, Dennis Haysbert lacks Duncan's gravitas and deep pipes. Christopher Meloni and Jeremy Piven are awful. Meloni gives it a game try, but Piven is so bad it made me wonder what the hell the directors were thinking. Fortunately, the two are only given token screen time.
The film isn't unwatchable. It's always engaging, but it lacks punch and life. Despite, you know, all the killings.
Starring: Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mickey Rourke, Eva Green, Powers Boothe, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis
Rated R for Strong Brutal Stylized Violence Throughout, Sexual Content, Nudity, and Brief Drug Use
"Sin City" was a breath of fresh air. It was a dark, brutal and ultra-violent film noir that packed a knockout punch. It used the panels from Frank Miller's graphic novels as storyboards for the film, giving it a unique look and personality. The long-awaited follow up, "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," attempts to replicate its success, but there's something missing.
As was the case in the first film, there are three interlocking stories that are (mostly) told consecutively. First up is "Just Another Saturday Night," where the heavily scarred hulk Marv (Rourke) hunts down a bunch of violent frat boys. "The Long Bad Night" has Johnny (Gordon-Levitt) in a poker battle with the vicious Senator Roark (Boothe). "A Dame to Kill For" has Dwight McCarthy (Brolin in the role previously played by Clive Owen) trying to resist an old flame, Ava Lord (Green). Finally, there's "Nancy's Last Dance," where Nancy Callahan (Alba) makes a vow to avenge Hartigan (Willis).
The problem here is two-fold. First, the spark of innovation is gone. Audiences hadn't seen a comic book come to life in that way. "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" lacks enough gas in many respects to recapture the same "WOW" factor. There is a definite "been there, done that" to the proceedings that directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller are unable to avoid.
The second problem is on a more basic level: the stories just aren't as interesting. The stories that make up this sequel feel like leftovers. They're either derivative and not dynamic ("The Long Bad Night"), ineptly told ("A Dame to Kill For") or too short (the other two). The first problem is small enough to be overlooked had the intangibles been in place. Sadly, they're not.
Another thing that the original had were flawless performances. Cast members were selected not because they were popular or tabloid stars, but because they were perfect for their roles. Rourke made a big enough comeback to get an Oscar nomination for "The Wrestler" (which was overrated, but never mind) and to become the villain in "Iron Man 2." "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" isn't as top heavy with talent. Most are effective, but no more. Eva Green and Powers Boothe are scene-stealers. Green has a ball chewing on the scenery, and she & Rodriguez make it clear that she can smolder the screen like few others. Powers Boothe is truly chilling as Roark; he's the patron saint of all evil in Sin City. There are some missteps. Michael Clarke Duncan played the small role of Manute in the original, but his death necessitated recasting. Sadly, Dennis Haysbert lacks Duncan's gravitas and deep pipes. Christopher Meloni and Jeremy Piven are awful. Meloni gives it a game try, but Piven is so bad it made me wonder what the hell the directors were thinking. Fortunately, the two are only given token screen time.
The film isn't unwatchable. It's always engaging, but it lacks punch and life. Despite, you know, all the killings.
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