Directed by Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Elijah Wood
Sin City on Blu Ray…you know this is going to be good. Dimension Films recently released the film on DVD and I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like.
The Movie
Just in case you somehow are unfamiliar with this juggernaut of a film and the comic book series written by Frank Miller that the film is based upon, here is a quick synopsis:
Sin City is a collection of four stores set in Basin City.
The Customer is Always Right tells the story of a hitman called The Ladykiller (Josh Hartnett) who tries to carry out his sadistic job with a grain of compassion and style.
The Big Fat Kill finds Dwight (Clive Owen) chasing a drunk and violent Benicio Del Toro through the darkened streets of Basin City because he wants to protect his girlfriend Shellie (Brittany Murphy) and his former lover Gail (Rosario Dawson) who just happened to be the leaders of a kick ass group of sex workers.
The Hard Goodbye tells the story of Marv (Mickey Rourke) who is trying to find the person who murdered his lover. This blood stained road leads to a strange serial killer (Elijah Wood) who is manipulating the situation and people in Marv’s life.
The final of the stories is That Yellow Bastard. Hartigan (Bruce Willis), who is one of the very few ethical cops in Basin City, and his struggle to protect Nancy (Jessica Alba), a girl he saved when she was young, but now is a tough exotic dancer. The two must team up together to fight off The Yellow Bastard (Nick Stahl), a sick individual that kidnapped Nancy as a child and is trying to hurt her again.
Sin City is a wonderful slice of film noir and is each frame is filled with snappy dialogue, tough men, guns, slick dames and everything you want in this type of film.
The acting by all, in particular Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke, is just top notch. The clever and fluid direction and eye popping cinematography by Robert Rodriguez grabs you from the first scene and doesn’t let go until the credits roll.
Frank Miller is a giant among men in the field of comics and one can see why in the stories and words of Sin City and the stories of Basin City.
Whether you were a fan of the original comic series or are completely new to the world of Sin City and Frank Miller, there is so much to love in this film. It is one of the great film adaptations from an original comic book. Sin City is right up there with more recent successes like Iron Man and Watchmen.
Does it even have to be said that this needs to be part of your collection? Turn off the computer and go to the store and get this now.
9/10
The Video
The 1080 p MPEG-4 AVC Video transfer (aspect ratio 1.85:1) is transferred directly from the digital source. This transfer is flawless. There is no noticeable grain or noise, no artifacts and black levels and color is perfect.
10/10
The Audio
The 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio is wonderous. It is immersive, well separated and crystal clear. This is a disc to pop in to show of the capabilities of your home theater system.
10/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features
The film is presented in a standard amaray blu ray case artwork suitable to the release.
Wow, there is a plethora of bonus features on this release.
Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez provided a commentary, as well as one from Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarentino. Both are great listens and worth your time.
Cine Explore Version is a great Blu Ray exclusive bonus feature. It allows you to watch multiple screens that shift from the finished movie, the green screen shots and comic book panels from the original series all the while a commentary track plays.
Audience Reaction Track was filmed at an Austin Screening and feels like you are in the middle of an enthusiastic movie crowd.
Recut Versions has some extra footage and unrated material. How it Went Down: Convincing Frank Miller to make the Film is self explanatory. A Hard Top with a Decent Engine is a look at the cars in the film and Kill Em Good: Interactive Comic Book is some sort of look at the comic combined with playing with your remote for a game.
Special Guest Director: Quentin Tarantino discusses the scene he directed in the film and Booze, Broads and Guns: The Props of Sin City is a look at the props that transitioned from the comic book to the screen.
Making the Monsters: Special Effects Make Up is a look at the makeup and Trenchcoats and Fishnets: The Costumes of Sin City is a look at the costume design.
15 Minute Film School finds Robert Rodriguez schooling us on his techniques and the All Green Screen Version is a sped up version of the film showing everything shot on green screens.
The Long Take shows Tarantino directing Clive Owen and Benecio Del Toro in their scene and Bruce Willis plays a concert in Sin City: Live in Concert.
10 Minute Cooking School shows Rodriguez cooking breakfast tacos and rounding things out, theatrical and teaser trailers.
While Cine Explore Version is a Blu Ray exclusive, the other bonus features were pulled from the original double disc DVD release. But, you can’t complain about the amount, can you?
10/10
Overall ( Not an Average) 9/10
The Review
The Movie 9/10
The Video 10/10
The Audio 10/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features 10/10
Overall ( Not an Average) 9/10