Sin City (cinema)

I knew slightly more about Sin City than the friend who accompanied me but even I was a bit concerned when the 'trailers appropriate to this feature presentation' all turned out to be for horror or psychological flicks like Deep Water and Red Eye. I provided reassurance, with fingers crossed, that it was just because they were likely to be at the higher end of the '18' spectrum and nothing at all to do with the style of the main event.

I was right: an extremely bloody set of episodes set against a sumptuous black and white background with the occasional and glorious colour detailing for focus and effect. No supernatural horrors here.

The fact that the scenes are comic book in style (though we're not talking The Beano here) help the audience cope with extremely shocking and violent episodes as well as paying due homage to its comic book origins. That said, not all the audience was as understanding and several people walked out after 10 minutes or so as I've heard is regularly the case.

The characters are gritty, flawed and seemingly immortal at times and performances from the male leads, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke and Clive Owen were excellent. The female leads, valkyries and the more sugary ones didn't quite have the same impact despite being allowed to shoot guns and wield samauri swords with sadistic glee. Jessica Alba, who seems to be on more of the Sin City posters than is deserved, looks great but sounds weak in a cast of gravelled and aggressive voices.

I can't finish without mentioning an absolutely spectacular piece of comic relief which was in danger of keeping me laughing through the poignant and emotional finale. A beautiful yet terrible film to look at.