DVD Review: Sin City (Blu-ray Release)

If ever a movie was meant to be experienced in high definition, Sin City is guilty on all counts! Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s visually stunning crime thriller debuts on Blu-ray this April 21, 2009, from Miramax Films. Featuring the ultimate in high definition picture and sound, this 2-Disc set comes fully loaded with two cuts of the film plus eight hours of bonus material, including innovative special features created exclusively for the Blu-ray High Definition release. The interactive game “Kill ’em Good,” lets viewers play Marv, the outcast misanthrope on a mission to avenge the death of his true love, Goldie. The “Cine-Explore” feature, a breakthrough interactive visual commentary lets viewers watch picture-in-picture footage of the film in its early green-screen stages original artwork synced with filmmaker commentary. Additional special features include Commentary with Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, interviews with Robert Rodriguez and “guest director” Quentin Tarantino, Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes showcasing the cars, props, costumes and make-up of Sin City, and much more! One of the most eagerly awaited films to debut in the format, Sin City arrives on Blu-ray with both barrels blazing!

Sin City is based on Frank Miller’s popular series of graphic novels and features an all-star crew both behind and in front of the camera. Acclaimed director Robert Rodriguez (Grindhouse, Spy Kids) teamed with Mr. Miller to co-direct an all-star cast that includes Bruce Willis, Oscar-nominee Mickey Rourke (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for: The Wrestler, 2008), Clive Owen, Jessica Alba and Rosario Dawson, in this riveting tale of killers, cops, hookers and hit men, all inhabiting one very dangerous, very sexy city. Sin City debuted in theatres in 2005 to critical acclaim and box office success and, like Mr. Miller’s graphic novels, continues to grow in its fan base. Now these fans, and anyone who loves explosive, groundbreaking filmmaking, can see and hear the movie like never before with the ultimate in high definition picture and sound.

Review:
Sin City is a visual masterpiece that tells the story of multiple flawed heroes who attempt to save the day. The film itself combines together several short films which are all somehow related in order to tell the story of the city. Between the killers, hookers, and hit men this film isn’t for the faint of heart. The violence and blood shed is quite intense, and even more so than you probably remember with the release of the newly unrated version.

I hadn’t seen the film before watching the newest version, and I hit play in order to play all these shorts in order. Soon I realized that these all seemed to be jumbled up, and after checking with a friend, these were indeed not the order they were originally presented in. On the extended version the film starts with “That Yellow Bastard (Part 1)” instead of “The Customer Is Always Right.” If you’re watching this version for the first time, don’t hit play all. Watch them in this order:

“The Customer Is Always Right”
“That Yellow Bastard (Part 1)”
“The Hard Goodbye”
“The Big Fat Kill”
“That Yellow Bastard (Part 2)”

Aside from the confusing order the shorts are presented in, I immensely enjoyed this release. The visuals were stunning, the script was thought-provoking, and the acting was all quite good. If you’re a fan of Frank Miller’s other work such as 300 and you haven’t seen this one then it’s definitely a must-see.

If there was ever a movie meant to be on Blu-ray it was Sin City, and if the beautiful visuals aren’t enough for you, the special features will blow your mind. This release includes the restored theatrical version as well as a re-cut, extended, unrated version. The onslaught of special features includes: commentary (With Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, and Quentin Tarantino), interactive comic book, and a TON of featurettes.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: B+
Official site: http://video.movies.go.com/sincity/
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