Overall, Sin City is still an enjoyable film. Its ability to recognize and employ the sarcasm that pervades classic Noir and to recreate its mood while balanced between pastiche and homage are high points, for example. As are the technical aspects, and the fact that the film was made outside of the regular Hollywood loop, on video and without actual sets. But it's impossible to overlook the shortcomings of the narrative. Perhaps if Miller and Rodriguez had hired a screenwriter to write the film, or focused on just one of Miller's graphic novels, Sin City would have been a better motion picture. And maybe if Rodriguez wasn't so intent on being faithful to the source material, he would have made a better film. As it stands, whatever Sin City is to fans of Miller and comic books in general, it is not revolutionary cinema, as some have made it out to be. If anything, the film's "canned comic" brand of adaptation is a step backward. In order to make great films, one must understand the film medium and its strengths, weaknesses and peculiarities. Knowledge of comic books not required.

Rating: 2.5 / 4.0