Sin City 2: A Gambling Film Review

Sin City 2 includes a tale of a lucky gambler in an unlucky situation

Sin City 2, called “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For”, is a continuation of the cult classic ”Sin City” that came out in 2005. Like its predecessor, Sin City 2 is based on the graphic novels written by Frank Miller. 

Though the books were successful, the film proved otherwise. The Eisner Award Winning graphic novelist wrote two original stories for Sin City 2. The film, directed by Robert Rodrigue, was unsuccessful at the box office making less than its production cost.

• Sin City 2 was unsuccessful at the box office making less than its production cost
• Sin City is based on a graphic novel series created by Frank Miller
• One story focused on a gifted poker player 

Although most wages on this film’s success from gambling online would be lost,
The film has a strong cast with the return of acting notables such as Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Powers Boothe and Bruce Willis who were in the first film. Newcomers, including Eva Green, Ray Liotta and Christopher Lloyd, added color to film which was rendered in black, white and red tone. Of the three featured stories, one involves the entertaining story of a gambler who was punished for his luck.

Sin City 2 features the story of Johnny

Senator Rourke, organized crime boss over Sin City, has held the city in his grip for as long as anyone can remember. With an archbishop in his family, Rourke defines absolute power. At his nightclub “Kadies Club Pecos”, Rourke operates high stakes poker games in the back room. Although U.S. gambling laws allow poker in Sin City, the films gritty, unsavory atmosphere makes everything appear illegal.

A new player named Johnny stands along the side of the highway overlooking the city. He thinks that tonight will be his lucky night. Johnny proceeds to get into his Chevrolet Corvette Roadster and make his way down the winding road to the city. “I was feeling lucky. I’ve been winning money in joints all over town and I finally make it to Kadies where the real score is.” As he walks into the club, we can see women dancing on a stage, drunken patrons and slot machines along the walls.

After he’s befriended by a woman and impresses her with a “disappearing reappearing coin trick” Johnny makes his way towards one of the slots. After he get Marci to “blow a kiss” on the coin, the young gambler puts it in machine, pulls the lever and watches the hearts line up. After putting his “big winnings” in a bag, the gambler asks “where is the big money made?”After being told real gambling is in the back, Johnny tries one more time at the slots and collects the winnings.

Entering the room in the back, Rourke and the others dismiss the young cocky kid. Once he claims that he never loses, Johnny draws their attention. Rourke allows Johnny to cut the deck and witnesses his “fancy” card shuffling.

After dealing out the cards, Rourke reveals his hand. Johnny, revealing his cards, collects his winnings. After some time, the senator is relinquished of all his chips, expect the one that’s on his shoulder. This is one way U.S. poker rooms may prove safer.

The lucky Johnny faces an unlucky stroke

After Rourke is “cleaned out” he tells Johnny “that’s as fine of a hand as he will ever have.” As the young winner leaves with his good luck, the police chief tells him to run out of town. Rourke gives the nod to his people to follow the brash, young slicker. As Johnny and Marci go out on the town spending money, the two finally feel the extent of the senator’s influence. As they try to pay for a meal, Johnny learns none of his credit cards work.

Thugs who work for the senator try to beat up Johnny, but he overtakes them. He then tells Marci to meet him at a hotel later, while he enters Rourke’s limo. For humiliating Rourke, he breaks Johnny’s fingers with a pair of pliers, shoots him and throws him out of the limo. After Rourke tells the young slicker that he’s his son, he leaves. Broken up, Johnny makes his way to a back alley doctor who takes the bullet out of his leg and resets his hand. Going back to the hotel, Johnny finds Rourke who reveals pieces of Marci.

After getting kicked out the window, the young hustler makes his way to a diner where a waitress gives him a dollar. On his return to Kadies, Johnny wins big at another slot machine. He enters the backroom and starts to play poker. Setting up a major bluff, Rourke believes he’s got the best of Johnny. Winning at a big hand, Rourke loses and shoots Johnny. The slicker soon dies without making any gambling news. Although another one of his illegitimate kids is dead, the senator finally gets his in the end.

Senator Rourke is the major antagonist in this film whose story coincides with another story involving a woman seeking revenge. Nancy, a dancer at Kadies, vowed to kill Rourke after he murdered a police officer who tried to save her. With the assistance of Marv, a frequent patron of Kadies, they go to Rourke’s home to end his life. The senator, who’s on to Nancy, sets a trap for her. As Rourke stands over Nancy, she is able to “get the drop on him” and kills him.