spiritof67
It's funny. Sin City was a semi-film noir, and was pretty popular. The sequel, Sin City 2 IS a film noir - and people didn't like it.Personally, I thought it was better than the original.One thing stands out though: why were Jessica Alba and Rosario Dawson billed higher that Eva Green, since this movie is about her? She's luminous, in one of her "goth" performances, and stunning in the role. Mickey Rourke yet again shows that he is the premier "heavy" in Hollywood today as Marv. And Powers Boothe shows that he still makes most "corrupt" actors look like amateurs. His sneer is award-worthy. The plot, action scenes and look of the film are as distinctive as the first film, and the plot twists are even stronger. Perhaps that's why this one isn't as well-liked? Because you actually have to think? Who knows. It's a good movie. I add my standard disclaimer (and rip) that anyone who reviewed this film based on seeing on TV didn't really see the movie and has no basis to review it. This film, like most, must be seen on a movie screen, not a "device" or some 36" TV screen.
dromasca
There are films based on graphic novels (comics books) heroes and action stories and the genre is flourishing making happy studios and fans of all ages. And there are the 'Sin City' films which are graphic novels on screens. 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For' directed by Frank Miller (who also created the books that inspired them) and Robert Rodriguez is only the second in this genre. I liked it. I will try to explain the reasons and the difference.The first thing to notice with 'Sin City 2' (as for the first one almost one decade earlier) is that it does not pretend to be anything else that it is. It is a comics story which is directly designed for the big screen rather than for the paper support of the graphic novels. The story (there are actually three almost independent story threads) is simple and relies mostly on action. No psychological or character development is to be expected from its heroes, they are from the first time they appear on screen until the moment they die or the end of the movie (what comes first) 'The Drunken Righteous', 'The Dangerous Vamp', 'The Corrupt Senator','The Nice Face Gambler', etc. The actors either wear masks (Mickey Rourke) or they are their own masks (Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Brolin, Powers Boothe, Ray Liotta). Most of them create their own characters as graphical novel heroes. The only one who holds some mystery and hides - at least for some time - her real intentions is the character played by Eva Green. All seem to enjoy themselves greatly to be in the film.All this concept is supported by a superb cinematographic solution which places the actors on sets that seem to be drawn in comics style and uses mostly black-and-white with touches of selected colors as in the mid 20th century comics books combined with the cinema masterpieces of 'film noir' from the same period. The execution is perfect, and the action scenes not only support the stories but also create moments of aesthetic wonder and fit perfectly in the atmosphere. The concept and the execution make of 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For' a rare combination of good entertainment and stylish cinema.
manosnb
When I saw all the negative reviews about this sequel, I thought that it would be yet another one trying to earn some easy bucks capitalising on the success of the original. However, that was not the case at least for me. It has the same nice atmosphere and effects as the first one and new interesting and unpredictable stories. Sure it is not as original as the first one (that would be an extremely difficult task to begin with) and maybe that is the only reason I put an 8 instead of a 9. However, if you enjoyed the first one you probably will enjoy this one as well. The new additions to the cast manage to fill the gaps of their predecessors quite well. I would advise anyone who wishes to watch this movie not to get overly influenced by ratings or how good was the first one and enjoy this sequel for what it is. A nice addition to the first one, like an extension of the concept. I would gladly watch and wait for sin city 3 if it is like this one. Cheers.
Robert Thompson (justbob1982)
Version I saw: UK cinema release (2D)Actors: 6/10Plot/script: 5/10Photography/visual style: 8/10Music/score: 7/10Overall: 7/10I have a lot of time for Sin City 2, and its precursor. They are fantastically violent, feature cartoonish villains and repugnant heroes, but they have one key advantage: they are unique. Nothing else looks like them.Both films are based on the iconic graphic novels by Frank Miller. He was partly credited with the revolutionary change in comics that made them suitable for adults but, for me, his work has always been more adolescent than adult. Miller is actually credited as co-director of Sin City 2, but I have my doubts about his input: you are better off considering this a Robert Rodriguez film.Although Sin City 2 has an overlay of film noir, I think the greater inspiration comes from Hong Kong action cinema such as the work of John Woo. The emphasis is on high style and arch-cool, with a lot of very violent action and much more nudity than any 1940s film noir could possibly hope to get away with.As with the first Sin City, the cast is peppered with stars. Some return for the sequel, and I am slightly disappointed by the absence of Clive Owen when Jessica Alba has been brought back despite her career dipping considerably in the 10 years since the original. The main new entrants are Eva Green (whose frequent nudity is so gratuitous that they had to make it a plot point), Josh Brolin (replacing Owen) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I generally like JGL, but in light of plot developments in the film, I found I had little sympathy for his character. The acting in general is not bad, but it is a bit... camp. Exaggerated. In fact, this is in keeping with the rest of the film, which has a sense throughout of over-the-topness.Yes, it can be a bit dumb, and at times totally preposterous, but I found that rather enjoyable, on a comedic level. There are more outright laughs in Sin City 2 than in many a pure comedy. Yes, it's not as good as the first Sin City, but there is still plenty to enjoy. Just sit back, let your brain go to sleep, and your eyes feast on the unique visuals.
AD
