There are no shades of grey in the black and white world of Sin City, and with evil lurking around every corner, a tough guy has to rely on his wits to do what’s right. Based on Frank Miller’s comic book series, Sin City is a blood and guts pot-boiler served up by blood and guts director Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Til Dawn). He’s aided by Quentin Tarantino with Miller on wing to ensure his vision is faithfully, if not tastefully, brought to life. There was the master-stroke, for Sin City looks every bit the comic book it once was – frame for monochromatic frame. Three stories loosely overlap to tell a vivid story of hot broads, cold villains, crooked cops and more hot broads. It’s a world where the good guys aren’t always great and the bad guys are truly evil. A world where gun-chewing police run lines like “there’s wrong, there’s wrong and then there’s this”.

Sin City’s highly stylised production hums with the integrity of people truly in love with their material. A splash of colour highlights a moment that is otherwise lifted intact from the graphic novel. The stellar cast is a who’s who of Hollywood, set free to indulge their acting fantasy. Bruce Willis is Bruce Willis, but a cannibalistic Elijah Wood? Frodo was never like this. The overwhelming violence of Sin City is not easy to watch and in truth, wears thin for those not seduced by it’s dark heart. However Rodriguez helps those with tender stomachs with absurd, sexy and often funny delivery. The down side is that films this inspirational only encourage the wrong people to flatter with imitation.

Expect more, many more. // COLIN FRASER