The Bruce Willis Crime Classic Everyone Should Stream Right Now
Sin City, starring Bruce Willis, is streaming right now on Max.
One of the biggest names in action and adventure, Bruce Willis is synonymous with his work in the Die Hard franchise along with a slew of other legendary titles. But right now, Max subscribers have the chance to jump into the world of the Bruce Willis-led neo-noir crime thriller, Sin City, as it’s currently streaming on the platform. With an A-list cast that brings the story of Frank Miller’s graphic novels to life, the dark and gritty anthology series sees Willis’ skills in an entirely new light.
Ripped straight from the pages of Miller’s comic series of the same name, the original author also served the film as a director alongside Robert Rodriguez (Sharkboy and Lava Girl, The Faculty, Alita: Battle Angel).
Along with Bruce Willis, Sin City, which is broken down into six parts, also stars Brittany Murphy, Elijah Wood, Jessica Alba, Benicio del Toro, Mickey Rourke, and Clive Owen with ensemble appearances from Josh Hartnett, Nick Offerman, Alexis Bledel, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rosario Dawson, Powers Boothe, Jaime King, Devon Aoki, Michael Madsen, Mackenzie Vega, Carla Gugino, Nick Stahl, and Rutger Hauer.
Appearing in two chapters of the six-part anthology project, Bruce Willis plays Officer John Hartigan in “The Yellow Bastard” parts one and two. Centered in the town of Sin City, the first chapter introduces audiences to the valiant and courageous detective who has taken it upon himself to put an end to the reign of terror caused by serial child-killer Roark Junior – the son of the Senator who has been kept safe by other corrupt members of the force.
At the end of “The Yellow Bastard Part I”, we’re left on a cliffhanger as Hartigan is clinging on for life after he’s been left for dead while attempting to save the killer’s latest victim, an eleven-year-old named Nancy Callahan.
We later catch up with Bruce Willis’ detective in the second chapter of “The Yellow Bastards.” Although he should be hailed as a hero for his selfless actions, the Senator of Sin City tells Hartigan that he’s going to be framed for the crimes and sent to jail.
With the threat of the demise of his entire family hanging over his head, Hartigan remains in prison for years until a disturbing message puts him back on the streets to catch the twisted and sadistic killer.
Much more gritty and dark than other graphic novel and comic book adaptations, the Bruce Willis and Jessica Alba-led Sin City was a mixed bag for critics and audiences who may have not fully understood what they were getting themselves into.
Many followers of the source material loved how the story translated to the big screen and it showed as the title nabbed $158.7 million at the box office against its $40 million production budget.
Even though the critics were split on their response to the original film, a second movie was given the green light with Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke, Powers Boothe, Jaime King, and Jessica Alba reprising their roles.
Shaking things up with a new anthology-style film, 2014’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For also featured performances by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Brolin, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Dennis Haysbert, Lady Gaga, Alexa Vega, Juno Temple, Christopher Lloyd, and more.
It’s been four years since the final, tragic events of “That Yellow Bastard” and Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba) is dealing with the trauma and anguish felt by the events leading to the death of Officer Hartigan (Willis). Although she can’t see him, Hartigan is by her side as a spirit, still keeping her safe from the real-life demons of Sin City.
On a crash course with vengeance, Nancy will again come face-to-face with the man who tried to take everything from her – Senator Roark.
An undersung comeback, the Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt-led sequel only managed to rake in $39.5 million at the box office against its lofty $65 million production budget. Flying high from the success of Sin City, it’s clear that the creative team thought they had a sure-fire title on their hands but fell short of delivering the goods.
As many Bruce Willis fans will know, the last few years have been crushing for the infamous actor as he continues to struggle with frontotemporal dementia. Having announced his retirement from acting over a year ago, the star’s final two films, Detective Knight: Independence and Assassin released to video on demand earlier this year. You can celebrate the action hero now by streaming Sin City on Max.
