Sin City: Round Two - Was It a Knockout or a Knockdown?
Nine years is a long time in Hollywood. It feels like forever for sequels. We awaited "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," the follow-up to the striking "Sin City" from 2005. Did this second trip to Basin City earn its place, or did it crumble in the darkness?
The Sin City Saga: A Tale of Two Films (and Maybe Just Two)
Let’s cut to the chase: Yes, Virginia, there is a "Sin City 2." Titled "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," it hit theaters on August 22, 2014. Fans waited eagerly for a return to the noir chaos. More stylized violence and morally confused characters were on the horizon. The first film was a hit, so why wouldn't this be?
But sometimes, guaranteed success can stumble. "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" didn't just trip; it fell hard at the box office. Critics did not share enthusiasm either. Many were outright disappointed. The film bombed spectacularly, becoming a notable box office flop of 2014. Its failure surprised many in Hollywood.
Thus, in Basin City's cinematic landscape, we find two "Sin City" films. The first arrived on April 1, 2005, followed by its sequel nearly ten years later. That’s it for now. Don’t search for "Sin City 3" yet.
If you hoped for a trilogy, brace for disappointment. The poor performance of "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" put an end to future projects in Basin City. Plans for "Sin City 3" quietly vanished. Despite the team's wish to return, financial failure silenced those ambitions. Hollywood prioritizes profit. Sequels should earn money, not just look great.
If you’re puzzled about the timeline of "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," it’s complex. This isn’t your standard sequel picking up the last film’s threads. "A Dame to Kill For" plays with time, intertwining stories before and after the events of the original. Consider it a narrative puzzle. It’s part prequel, part sequel, all connected in "Sin City" style. Frank Miller called it "both a prequel and a sequel with interlinking stories." Expect a deeper dive, but pack a flowchart.
In a turn worthy of "Sin City," Frank Miller regained rights to his creation in 2018. He can now develop "Sin City" for film and television. While "Sin City 3" sits in limbo, potential for a "Sin City" TV show or reboot exists. In Basin City, never say never.
Delving into the Darkness: Plot and Characters of "Sin City 2"
"Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" delivers what you loved from the first film: a journey into Basin City's troubled lives. It’s another set of stories pulled from Frank Miller's graphic novels, set in that striking world. If you seek light and joy, look elsewhere. Here, shadows hide dangers, and men are either tough or deeply flawed.
The film features three main storylines, each dripping with authentic "Sin City" grit:
- "Just Another Saturday Night": Marv returns, portrayed once more by Mickey Rourke. Our lovable brute finds himself in trouble, trying to piece together a wild Saturday night involving frat boys. Expect chaos, confusion, and Marv's special brand of justice.
- "A Dame to Kill For": The central story gives the movie its name. Dwight McCarthy, played by Josh Brolin, struggles with his inner demons. Complications arise when Ava Lord, portrayed by Eva Green, reenters his life. Ava is the ultimate femme fatale, the blend of dreams and nightmares. Trouble follows her, and Dwight can't resist.
- "Nancy's Last Dance": Jessica Alba returns as Nancy Callahan, but she has changed from the first film. Fueled by hurt from Hartigan's death, Nancy seeks vengeance. She dances dangerously close to destruction, consumed by revenge and rage.
Speaking of Marv, let’s revisit a question from the first film: Did he survive the electric chair? Well, sort of. In a darkly humorous scene, Marv does face execution. Wendy visits him one last time, and when they flip the switch, Marv shrugs it off initially, defiantly asking his executioners, "Is that the best you can do?" Spoiler: No, it wasn't their best attempt. They crank it up, and a second jolt finishes the job. Marv goes out in electrifying fashion but not without his trademark bravado.
What about Becky? Her fate differs from her graphic novel version in "A Dame to Kill For." While Becky meets a grim end in the books, she survives the mayhem of the film. But her success is fleeting and tragic. She encounters the Colonel, a character with sinister intentions. The implication is clear, though not directly shown: the Colonel likely completes what bullets failed to do. Thriving in Basin City does not happen often.
Behind the Camera and in Front: The Crew and Cast of Sin City
Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller direct "Sin City." This duo co-directed the films, creating a striking visual style that defines the franchise. They collaborate effectively; Rodriguez brings action flair, while Miller shows raw storytelling talent and character depth. This partnership produced cinematic brilliance, especially in the first film.
Quentin Tarantino also plays a role. Yes, that Quentin Tarantino. He is credited as a "Guest Director" for "Sin City." His involvement extends beyond a cameo. Tarantino directed a specific car scene with Clive Owen and Benicio del Toro in the first film. He received one dollar for this contribution. It highlights the artistic spirit of collaboration.
and respect exists between directors. Tarantino's style is evident in that scene, enhancing the film's cool factor. This shows the collaborative spirit of this project and the admiration between Rodriguez and Tarantino.
Black and White and Shades of Grey: The Aesthetic of Sin City
One striking feature of "Sin City" is its visual style. It's stark black and white, taken from Frank Miller's graphic novels. This was a deliberate effort to capture the tone of the source material. Miller's comics are known for their monochrome palette, and the films embraced this fully. It's a visual punch, setting "Sin City" apart from other films. This aesthetic immerses you in the comic world.
While "Sin City" is mainly black and white, it uses color too. Color highlights specific elements and characters. Think of it as visual code. Heroes and villains have different colors. Villains are seen in lighter shades of black, sometimes white, with blood often rendered as white, symbolizing their evil nature. Heroes appear sharper in blacks, with bursts of color to emphasize key emotions, reinforcing "Sin City's" moral landscape where good battles evil.
Technically, "Sin City" was not shot on film. It was a fully digital production using the Sony HDC-F950 camera. Robert Rodriguez served as cinematographer and handled editing on an Avid Editing System. This digital approach offered more control over the visual style, crucial for achieving that graphic novel appearance. It combines technology and old-school noir styles.
If you're keen on details, a slightly edited version of "Sin City" exists. The edits are minor, including trimmed dialogue and added colorized objects. Some nudity was reduced, and a few scenes were removed for pacing. These changes were for censorship or pacing, not major plot shifts. Many deleted scenes were included in the "Sin City" Collector's DVD, dividing the film into four segments to mirror the graphic novels.
Character Quirks and Casting Conundrums
Some casting questions arise with "Sin City 2": Why is Clive Owen missing? And what about Devon Aoki?
Clive Owen played Dwight McCarthy brilliantly in the first film. His absence in "A Dame to Kill For" is a mystery. There's no clear explanation in available content. It could be due to scheduling, creative differences, or actors moving on. Whatever the reason, Josh Brolin stepped in for the sequel, bringing his own take on the character.
Devon Aoki starred as Miho in the original "Sin City." Her absence from the sequel is clearer. Aoki focused on motherhood around 2009, stepping back from acting. She still models but does not act full-time. Jamie Chung plays Miho in "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," bringing her own deadly vibe to the role.
Let’s return to Marv and ponder his unique personality. Marv is more than just tough; he is complex with a troubled past. He may suffer from PTSD. His backstory includes military service in an unnamed war, implied to be Vietnam, explaining his scars and turmoil. He takes pills for a "condition," provided by Claire, Lucille's therapist girlfriend. This detail adds depth to Marv, suggesting that aggression and struggles may stem from deeper wounds.
Why "Sin City" is Called "Sin City" – It's No Mystery
The nickname "Sin City" isn't cool just by chance; it has real roots. Las Vegas inspired Basin City, earning its “Sin City” title due to gambling and vices. It's a place of wild desires and loose morals. Frank Miller took this essence and amplified it, making Basin City a hyper-real, dark version of urban decay and moral rot. Thus, "Sin City" reflects the city's soul or lack thereof.
If You Dig Sin City, You Might Also Like...
Craving films that scratch that "Sin City" itch? There are other cinematic gems that share its DNA. For visually stylish, genre-bending, and darkly humorous films, try:
- Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (If you liked the first, check the second)
- Unbreakable (Grounded, gritty superhero deconstruction)
- Hancock (Superhero film playing with genre conventions)
- Kick-Ass (Violent and hyper-stylized superhero action)
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Guillermo del Toro's visually rich sequel)
- Wanted (Over-the-top action with comic sensibility)
- Hellboy (Original del Toro Hellboy, darker than many superhero films)
- The Spirit (Frank Miller’s attempt at comic book noir hero, stylistically similar)
So there you have it – a look into the dark world of "Sin City 2" and the larger "Sin City" universe. Whether you loved it, loathed it, or are curious, Basin City remains a unique cinematic creation. Just watch your back in those dark alleys.
Responses (0 )