Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

HOLLYWOOD—Can you believe it has literally been almost 10 years since “Sin City” first arrived on the big screen? Yep, the comic book adaptation from Frank Miller is back with its sequel “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” with familiar faces, as well as a few new ones. The concept behind “Sin City” was enthralling to watch because black and white movies are not popular nowadays. They actually bring simplicity to moviemaking that has drifted away.

While some might want to consider “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” as four separate mini-movies, that is not the case in my opinion. I would consider them to be ‘chapters,’ each chapter ties to the other or to its predecessor in a way that keeps the continuity glued. I never at once felt as if I was watching a separate movie each time, it was a movie within a movie that ultimately led to the conclusion.

Mickey Rourke is back in the mix as brute Merv who is trying to recollect the events that left him in a place he doesn’t remember. In doing so, he teams up with Nancy (Jessica Alba), whose life is in complete disarray after being rescued by John Hartigan (Bruce Willis).  Rourke brings bravado to an underdog that is instantly likeable by the audience, the same resonates for Alba, who is superb in the role of a woman forced to face her inner demons.

A common thread in all of the subplots of the movie is the villain, Senator Roark portrayed by Powers Boothe. Boothe is so visceral in the role, its hard not to love him as the bad guy. The actor has proven his capability of being bad with his work on TV shows like “Nashville.”

Director Robert Rodriguez wears many hats in the movie, which may explain why so many elements cohesively are in sync. Not only is he behind the camera, but he also serves as a producer, the cinematography, the editor and is responsible for the music. Its apparent Rodriguez had a visual trope in place for the movie, alongside his co-director Frank Miller that makes watching this movie so much fun.

There is harsh language, violence, sex, character development and a narrative that doesn’t move at a tedious pace. Sorry, I’m pointing at you “The Spirit.” That movie attempted to copy the success of “Sin City,” but misfired on so many levels, it may be one of my lists of worst movies of all-time.

An added aspect of this sequel is that it presents a female perspective to the audience regarding power and the authority of women. Not just Alba’s character, but Rosario Dawson as Gail, Jamie King as Goldie and Wendy, Eva Green as Juno Temple as Sally, Jamie Chung as Miho, Julia Garner as Marcy and even Lady Gaga as Bertha.

The ladies unite for a common cause: women can be bad ass to. I must admit Green as Ava Lord is a force to be reckoned with. The actress was hands down a favorite of mine for her wickedly evil performance as Artemisia in “300: Rise of an Empire.” The actress just knows how to bring it to certain roles in a way that you never forget her, and the same applies here in this movie.

“Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” exceeds its predecessor on some many fronts it’s scarier. The story is juicier, the characters are even more intriguing, but the visuals are epic. I was so sutured into this movie, to watch it a second, even a third time would be a treat.

By LaDale Anderson