Sin City and the future of film

Written by Alisha Karabinus
Published April 03, 2005

Sin City is, in a word, incredible. But it's more than that. I fervently hope that anyone who is considering a movie adapation of a graphic novel, comic book, anime, or other similar medium is paying attention, because this film is a truly important benchmark in adaptations.

I have not read the Sin City graphic novels, but I've seen images from them and heard enough from folks here and there to know that this film is nearly a panel-by-panel adapatation. That's why it gives me hope. The film is only live action by the merest technicality - that being the presence of live actors - but they seem to have stepped right off the pages of Frank Miller's noir series. It calls to mind the fact that movies were once called 'moving pictures' for a reason. It is as though Rodriguez, probably with considerable help here from his co-director, Miller, breathed life into those pages and set them free to flutter like tragic butterflies while he happened to have the camera rolling.

It's brilliant, it's lovely, and it is a true homage to the original work.

With Aeon Flux and V for Vendetta coming to the movies, and Battle Angel Alita, as well as rumors of a Watchmen movie... frankly, I'm frightened. Even though I couldn't bring myself to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion (I have a peculiar hatred for most giant stompy robot anime), the idea of a live action movie based on that, even if it's done by Peter Jackson and his people, is enough to give me nightmares. There's just too much of a chance there to screw things up.

It's probably best to admit here that I breathed sighs of relief when efforts to bring my two favorite comics, Preacher and Transmetropolitan, to the silver screen fell through. I have enough knowledge of film to see that they'd need to be done in a pretty particular way and not enough faith in the industry to hope that said approach would actually be taken.

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Sin City and the future of film
Published: April 03, 2005
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Section: Video
Filed Under: Books: Comics and Graphic Novels, Video: Action, Video: Crime
Writer: Alisha Karabinus
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#1 — April 3, 2005 @ 22:45PM — Morris Levy [URL]

HOW DARE YOU BE SO JUDGEMENTAL OF EVANGELION!!! It is not an 'average mecha' as you say, but deeper with pschology and religious references, one could spend their whole life analyzing the series by Anno Hideaki. You better revoke that comment. I know what I am talking about. NGE is more than you think.

#2 — April 3, 2005 @ 22:56PM — SFC SKI

Yrah, take it back before he moves from CAPS LOCK to BOLD print, with possible italic asides. I don't think you know who you are messing with.

#3 — April 3, 2005 @ 23:51PM — LegendaryMonkey [URL]

Morris, I'm not sure you actually read what I said.

Even though I'm not a fan of Evangelion (I guess now it's required for everyone? Evangelion fandom is compulsory?), I hate to think of anyone screwing it up just to make a live action film from the anime.

Please, no bold and italics. The post hurt my brain enough as is.

#4 — April 4, 2005 @ 06:25AM — DrPat [URL]

I would say that I am no fan of graphic novels, mecha or otherwise - but the Sin City trailers (sorry for the italics, LMonkey!) are really exciting.

Rodriguez may do more to bring new readers to graphic novels than the other way around!

#5 — April 4, 2005 @ 10:41AM — LegendaryMonkey [URL]

I think that's an excellent point, and one I can appreciate since I don't really count myself as a fan, either... or didn't until I got introduced to a couple of really good GNs. Still, I'm not one to walk into a comic book store and pick up whatever, so I can definitely see how something this visually intriguing - that is so obviously straight from the book - could draw in new fans.

Which I think is great. I can't tell you how many people I know who or didn't like graphic novels until I handed them a copy of the first Transmetropolitan trade paperback. There are some titles that can draw anyone in - and some movies, like this, which could work the same way.

At least, I hope so. Over the years, as I've gotten pickier about what I'll watch and read, I find that my tastes have expanded to include really good works regardless of genre. I think a lot of people could be that way; they just don't know what's out there. Make sense?

#6 — April 4, 2005 @ 10:44AM — Eric Olsen

very interesting LM, thanks! My son and his girlfriend saw it and walked out after 45 minutes - very strange to see such positive reviews here on the site. Not sure what the disconnect is

#7 — April 4, 2005 @ 10:46AM — Phillip Winn [URL]

Clearly your son was influenced by his girlfriend, who is crazy.

#8 — April 4, 2005 @ 11:05AM — Eric Olsen

he told me he found it "loathsome" - his word.

#9 — April 4, 2005 @ 11:15AM — MRBenning [URL]

From the start it's pretty violent and sexual. Also, the dialogue is very film noir. It's not for everyone.

You can't fault the film for not having universal appeal. Plenty of people hate Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings, yet they're regarded as new classics.

#10 — April 5, 2005 @ 02:31AM — SFC SKI

I cannot praise Sin City wholeheartedly, much of the dialogue was terrible to the groaning and eye-rolling stage. As eye-candy though, it was delicious, and not just the hooker-gangsters of Old Town, though hotties with guns went a long way to salvaging the poorest executed sequence of the movie. MIckey Rourke and Bruce Willis, on the other hand, fit their roles perfectly, and I will never be able to look at Elijah Wood without shuddering. I enjoyed this movie, and will consider the DVD if the extras are worth while (extended babe-fu as Joe Bob Briggs calls it will be a plus), but I doubt I will go to see it agin in the theater. While we are at it, do you think that Jessica Alba was made to look like Britney Spears in leather by chance or design. (either way, I am not complaining, just asking.)

#11 — April 5, 2005 @ 09:33AM — MRBenning [URL]

In retrospect (after much deliberation with others who watched it with me) I have come to the conclusion that the acting was the weakest point of the movie. Jessica Alba was alright, but it was apparent right off that she was strictly there for the booty shots. Rosario Dawson, who normally is pretty good, wasn't convincing. Madsen's involvement seemed completely wasted. Rourke, Del Toro, and Willis were pretty awesome, though, and more than made up for the weaker members of the cast.

Most of my complaints feel more like suggestions, which means that in the end, they're not really worth complaining much about.

#12 — April 5, 2005 @ 10:15AM — Phillip Winn [URL]

Saw this last night. It wasn't loathsome. But I suppose I could see how one might see it that way.

#13 — April 5, 2005 @ 21:29PM — Charlie

I haven't read comics, graphics or otherwise, since high school which was about 30 years ago. I did see Sin City this weekend and loved it. That may be surprising to hear from a middle-aged woman, but I was surprised to see people about my age more than the expected so-called target audience of twenty-something males.

I am a fan of old film noir and was familiar with Robert Rodriquez's work, so that interested me enough to see the film. I went into the theatre knowing about the graphic violence and sexuality, and accepted that as part of Frank Miller's original work. That made it easier to look past all that to what Rodriquez and Miller were trying to accomplish. Honestly, I've seen worse.

Mikey Rourke completely made the movie for me with a wonderful performance under all the prosthetics. I was never much of a fan of Rourke, but I find myself praising his performance to everyone.

Elijah Wood's Kevin was enough to give me nightmares. The most ice-water-down-the-spine scene was him sitting calmly on the porch reading a bible.

The Bruce Willis/Jessica Alba story ranks second. It felt like a classic film noir story in some ways and actually gave me a few laughs. I won't offend by going into those, but those who've seen it may know what I mean.

The least interesting story was the Clive Owen/Benicio Del Toro segment. I actually got bored in a couple of places. The whole thing just felt weak against the other story lines.

After seeing and appreciating the artistry of the film, I am interested in checking out the graphic novels themselves.

#14 — April 6, 2005 @ 03:40AM — -E [URL]

I, too, found it to be an excellent film. But if you don't know what Sin City was about and thought it to be just another "comic book" movie, of course you won't like it. It is extremely violent and gritty.

#15 — April 27, 2005 @ 04:50AM — jessica alba galleries fan [URL]

need some jessica alba galleries . post sites here. i know this one, jessica alba galleries

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