Frank Miller's like-named graphic comic books get the literal treatment in Sin City. Digital genius Robert Rodriguez shoots the movie using the graphic novels almost as a frame-by-frame storyboard. He even goes so far as to include much of Miller's exact dialogue in the movie. As a result, Sin City, the movie plays out as a uber-violent, highly anime-influenced progression of visual imagery that is so highly stylised, it somehow lessens the impact of the mile-a-minute blood letting, all the while remaining true to Miller's dark fictional world.

At times the viewer might even expect to see the words "Kapow!" Or "Eeeeek!" appear on the screen in emphatic block lettering.

Ordinarily, a film with more than one director, hints at some kind of production problems or an internal studio power struggle. And it usually culminates in a butchered mess of a film. Although Sin City lists no fewer than three directors, the film is a fresh and innovative treat for movie-lovers. It's a violent film by all means if you consider the victims simply covering their numerous bullet wounds with bandages and carry on as if nothing had happened, being violent. This movie is not for you either, if blood pouring yellow or white sickens you.

Shot in black and white with strategically placed spots of vibrant colours like a woman's stunning red lips or her penetrating eyes of cyan, the seedy world of Basin City (Sin City) is bathed in perpetual darkness, making it the perfect atmosphere for co-directors Miller and Rodriguez to bring their sleazy, grungy characters to life. Quentin Tarantino even gets a turn behind the camera, appearing as guest director for one of the film's three episodes.

Basin City is a dark and insidious place where the simplistically juvenile imaginations of adolescent comic book readers can run wild. All the women are seductive. But they're also tough as hell and might rare up and beat anyone senseless, at any moment.

Everyone who walks the street carries a weapon and no one is afraid to use it.

Many will like Sin City; some won't. It's as beautiful as it is gruesome and as mean-spirited as it is affectionate. The stylistic approach it takes towards its subject matter seems a bit gimmicky at first and takes some getting used to. It will call for the viewer to suspend many of the properties of reality to the point of near ridiculousness, but as the movie progresses, its innovative storytelling skills and its stunning visuals will be enough to win over even the most skeptical of viewers.

Can't say enough about Mickey Rourke's take on Marv, Elijah Wood as Kevin--perfect, Jessica Alba as the stripper Nancy Callahan is fragile and ravishing as a porcelain doll, Rosario Dawson as Gail is vicious yet exquisite and Bruce Willis as Hartigan is raw, without much facial expression and forceful -- just what the film requires.

So, just sit back, prepare yourself for a gorgeously gory thrill-ride into 21st century film-noir.

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent