SIN CITY "A TRANSITIONAL MOVIE?"
I haven`t posted any reviews in a while and I am not starting now :), well not technically anyway.
What I am doing is going to provide an analysis on the new film SIN CITY and propose the question, is this next step in a new means of expression?
Walking out of theater, with a mild headache (which had nothing to do with my reaction to the film), I sincerely believe that all the imagery, music etc. led to my headache in this film which is ODD considering I rarely get headaches from movies but I digress. Walking out of the film I was mired in a complex yet confusing notion of whether it I did enjoy the experience of this film or not.
Its hard to say, although I will state that I must have enjoyed my experience to a certain extent considering the fact that I still remember the set pieces and various sequences in the film. Holding onto memories of a film days after seeing it is a VERY GOOD Thing!
But then again I wonder if my experience is slightly colored by the fact that I have read the graphic novels? I went to see the film with an Indian film actor from India who has never read much less heard of Frank Miller or Sin City. However, coming out of the film he has a similar reaction as I did.
Overall, I think the movie as an Action NOIR film has its bright spots and its not so brights spots much like most movies but the one felling I haven`t quite figured out yet is whether or not this is a landmark film.
In the past you could watch movies in the "FILM NOIR" genre or setting and understand that the lighting, camera angles etc, were all carefully orchestrated in such a way as to create the "look and "feel" of crime detective thrillers or encapsulate the spirit of these types of genres.
But what about a movie in which every single frame is planned but already illustrated years before filming? And then, just to be sure, you as the director decide to hire the writer / illustrator of the comic book to "co-direct" the film with you just to be sure? Sound different? It is!
Robert Rodriguez the film`s director got into a tiff with the DGA (THE DIRECTOR`S GUILD OF AMERICA) over an argument regarding sole credit for directing. The DGA argued that Graphic Novel writer / illustrator Frank Miller could not be given the credit of "co-director" for the film as per the long standing DGA rules, which led to Rodriguez`s quick resignation from the DGA. I won`t go too much into it in this article.
(PC users, right click and open this link in a new window to read more:
The Man Who Shot Sin City)
Aside from the controversy, Rodriguez has attempted every comic book fan`s ultimate dream! "Fanboys" and "fan geeks" across the country must be absolutely wild with the anticipation that one of the recent "cult comics" in SIN CITY is adapted to the big screen, frame by frame and scene by scene. Not ladies and gentlemen we are not talking about a meager "interpretation" of an American cult classic like SPIDERMAN or the upcoming REMAKE of SUPERMAN...
SIN CITY, rather is the ultimate collaboration between a visionary director and the original artist / writer himself to literally bring the graphic novel to life!
Here is a taste (PC users please right click and open this link in a new window click on this link):
Sincity-ComparisonsAs you can see this is no ordinary film and no ordinary conception, which begs the question, is this the beginning of new film expression? Is this in fact the origin of comic book writers or graphic novel writers getting a new day in the sun? Will comic book writers, graphic novel writers and artists actually have a new medium opened up to them without having to change careers? I guess the movie`s success will determine that.
As far as the movie itself goes, I love the three story interwoven arc concept which is prevalent in Sin City, although it looks much more contrived here, the locations, and setting almost seem surreal like in a comic book, well funny that huh? But normally where I have reserved such comments like, "it`s too contrived" or "it feels like a comic book" and the "the characters are too comic book-like" I have always meant it to be a comment on something that I identified in the film that perhaps wasn`t working exactly as it should but here in Sin City I just don`t know. The verdict is out. The critics have chimed in and overall lauded this landmark achievement as critics tend to do. Nobody wants to be caught with their shorts around their ankles just in case this film turns out to be a cult classic in lieu of a commercial success. One thing is for certain, this is one of those few films that can claim to be like nothing else like its kind and substantially backup such boastful claims!
Harish Rao
More Comparison "Graphic Novel to Film" links:
theyellowbastardthebigfatkill