Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)

Of course I was going to seize the opportunity to use this amazing poster of the gorgeous Eva Green for this post. I re-watched the first Sin City the other day and recalled how much I enjoyed the style and the different stories and characters portrayed in it. The sequel was a long time coming but when I initially saw it I thought it was rather disappointing and far off the standard of the first. I still kind of feel that way but hey I might as well share why this time.The sequel is shared in the same format as the first with a few stories, some take place prior to the events of the corresponding segments in the first film, others afterwards. There are character changes (most notably a switch of Josh Brolin for Clive Owen) but many from the first film return. There are also a few steamy addition like Jun Temple and the very SEXY Eva Green. I wasn't sure I wanted a sequel because like most sequels, I thought it would pale in comparison to the original. This is the case with this film.Some of the segments are entertaining. Others not so much. For all the style and blood and violence this film offers, the stories can't help but feel dull. The A Dane to Kill For segment was fabulous looking and so well performed by the sultry Eva Green, but the rest itself was overlong and dreary. The final segment and showdown between Nancy Callahan and Roark was also disappointing. The film and segments definitely could have used more thought out writing.The film is style stylistically excellent. Its a joy to look at on screen and still has an excellent comic book neo-noir feel to it. The bloody violence is still on point. The main pitfall is not being able to avoid to cap on the stories and brilliance in the stories of the first film. It wasn't without effort, but Robert Rodriguez has still yet to make a good sequel (at least in my honest opinion). Its still a decent to good film but it could have been much better.7/10

When I saw all the negative reviews about this sequel, I thought that it would be yet another one trying to earn some easy bucks capitalising on the success of the original. However, that was not the case at least for me. It has the same nice atmosphere and effects as the first one and new interesting and unpredictable stories. Sure it is not as original as the first one (that would be an extremely difficult task to begin with) and maybe that is the only reason I put an 8 instead of a 9. However, if you enjoyed the first one you probably will enjoy this one as well. The new additions to the cast manage to fill the gaps of their predecessors quite well. I would advise anyone who wishes to watch this movie not to get overly influenced by ratings or how good was the first one and enjoy this sequel for what it is. A nice addition to the first one, like an extension of the concept. I would gladly watch and wait for sin city 3 if it is like this one. Cheers.

Version I saw: UK cinema release (2D)Actors: 6/10Plot/script: 5/10Photography/visual style: 8/10Music/score: 7/10Overall: 7/10I have a lot of time for Sin City 2, and its precursor. They are fantastically violent, feature cartoonish villains and repugnant heroes, but they have one key advantage: they are unique. Nothing else looks like them.Both films are based on the iconic graphic novels by Frank Miller. He was partly credited with the revolutionary change in comics that made them suitable for adults but, for me, his work has always been more adolescent than adult. Miller is actually credited as co-director of Sin City 2, but I have my doubts about his input: you are better off considering this a Robert Rodriguez film.Although Sin City 2 has an overlay of film noir, I think the greater inspiration comes from Hong Kong action cinema such as the work of John Woo. The emphasis is on high style and arch-cool, with a lot of very violent action and much more nudity than any 1940s film noir could possibly hope to get away with.As with the first Sin City, the cast is peppered with stars. Some return for the sequel, and I am slightly disappointed by the absence of Clive Owen when Jessica Alba has been brought back despite her career dipping considerably in the 10 years since the original. The main new entrants are Eva Green (whose frequent nudity is so gratuitous that they had to make it a plot point), Josh Brolin (replacing Owen) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I generally like JGL, but in light of plot developments in the film, I found I had little sympathy for his character. The acting in general is not bad, but it is a bit... camp. Exaggerated. In fact, this is in keeping with the rest of the film, which has a sense throughout of over-the-topness.Yes, it can be a bit dumb, and at times totally preposterous, but I found that rather enjoyable, on a comedic level. There are more outright laughs in Sin City 2 than in many a pure comedy. Yes, it's not as good as the first Sin City, but there is still plenty to enjoy. Just sit back, let your brain go to sleep, and your eyes feast on the unique visuals.

Preparation for the sequel was long and committed. Rodriguez worked on other projects which, in truth, were of special artistic value, or are they just an example of creativity high-aestheticism trash, but there were many, and should the toil. Second part, named after one of the stories, comes a few years too late, so that it is not the clearest intention why he had done, and why now. Maybe Rodriguez just socialized with Miller, perhaps this is his desperate attempt to return to the first league, though spent and out of ideas, and maybe only two of them decided to comply with the fans. All in all, A Dame To Kill For is most recycled Sin City concept. Do not bring a lot of news, and those passed'm not sure how good or meaningful. First, there is a 3D, as the picture of the time, the evolution of film or whatever.