ALL SCI-FI

[The Spike]

Welcome To Shell Beach.

Dark City is directed by Alex Proyas who also co-writes the screenplay with Leon Dobbs and David S. Goyer. It stars Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard O'Brien and Ian Richardson. Music is by Trevor Jones and cinematography by Dariusz Wolski.

A man wakes up in a grotty hotel bathroom and upon finding a dead girl in another room he realises he has no recollection of who he is or how he got there...

There's a lot of Blade Runner fans still out there waiting for that film's sexual partner to happen along. What many of them don't realize is that Alex Proyas has already made that movie.

More than a cult film, yet still criminally ignored in certain circles, Dark City, by way of poor box office and studio interference, didn't got off to the best of starts.

The problems were compounded by the release of The Matrix the following year, where that film's popularity, and its sci-fi linkage to Dark City, led many to think that Proyas' movie was a Matrix rip-off; pushing it further (unjustly) back in the sci-fi noir pantheon.

The fact is, Dark City homages great cinema from previous years, but it has influenced much that followed. Inception fans asked should note that Nolan himself was taking notes.

Stolen Memories.

Dark City is a feverish film noir dressed up in stunning sci-fi clothes. The amazing visuals have led many to state that it's a film with much style and little substance, something which Proyas has fiercely argued against.

And he's right to do so, especially once his own preferred director's cut became available to view. The story is a complex one, pulsing with human characters living in a world where there is no daylight, with their respective memories scratchy to say the least.

It quickly becomes evident that a creepy alien race are overseeing things. The aliens, wonderfully attired in black trench-coats and hats to match, have special powers. They are aided by Kiefer Sutherland as a shifty doctor.

Their reasons for being here unfold in deftly constructed stages. One man stands in their way, John Murdoch (Sewell), but he is an olde noir amnesia sufferer, and his battle to unravel what is going on is our task as well.

The search for identity and the truth is what propels the picture forward. Murdoch in his confused state is not only at the center of an existential dilemma, he's also the focal point for a serial killer murder investigation.

He also tries to come to terms with matters of the heart. It seems he has a beautiful wife (Jennifer Connelly), and that she may have cheated on him. And why is he drawn to the place known as Shell Beach?

Is this just a simple narrative hidden by visual splendors? No, but you have to admit the visual look and atmosphere of the design is very much attention grabbing.

With the film noir characters in place — like Hurt's dour sleuth, Sewell's amnesiac, and Connelly's sultry torch singer — Proyas brings German expressionism in abundance while overseeing an eye-splintering neo-noir color palette. Greens and reds often ping from the screen, while the murky browns and golds down on the angular city streets pave the way for changed perceptions and revelations of plotting.

There are reoccurring motifs throughout, with swirls and circles integral to mood and meanings, while at the mid-point we get to see Proyas' tricks of the trade, where the city shifts and moves to create a meeting of Metropolis and Gotham — all done while the humans slumber away.

Acting performances are hardly top of the line (Sutherland especially irritates more than he impresses), but they actually don't need to be. And they all look terrific in their respective dressage.

The story is of course bonkers, and one which I myself found was much better while consuming mucho alcohol! I watched it three times in 48 hours!

Proyas himself is on record as saying it's a far from flawless picture. Again he is right, but he also knows that his film is still under valued and in need of more people to seek out his director's cut.

The late Roger Ebert championed Dark City with much gusto, and he provides very good input on the DVD. I have to say, this is a unique and fabulous sci-fi noir experience. A film fit to watch alongside Blade Runner. And I do not say that lightly. 9/10
_________________
The quality of mercy is not strnen.

[Bud Brewster]

_______________________________________

Okay, remember when I recently said, "Your best review yet!"

My bad. Sorry. This one is even better. Cut it out, Dude. I'll run out of superlatives in a matter of days!

I saw this movie and liked it, but I made the mistake of watching it only once in a 48 hour period, not three times, like you. Nobody told me I was supposed to do that.

I should have known better, though, because I did something like that with Limitless (twice in 24 hours and then again when the Blu-ray arrived from Amazon a few days later).

So, Dark City is back on my Netflix list, because I owe myself two more viewings.

Hold all my calls. I'm not to be disturbed . . .
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

________________________________

Watch the trailer (it's short.
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[alltare]

This is one of my favorites. I like everything about it except for the superman act at the end.

What's the difference between the original DVD release and the Director's Cut?

[Bud Brewster]

________________________________

This site compares the two in detail. I hope you'll find it helpful and interesting.


_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[alltare]

[Bud Brewster]

________________________________

Heck, it isn't even $5.00. it's only $4.34! What a deal!
_________________
____________
Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

[tmlindsey]

Dark City is one of my favorite films (even with William Hurt in it)!

It did strike me as too bad that The Matrix (1999), Dark City (1998) and The 13th Floor (1999) all came out around the same time and shared a similar premise, though Dark City was released first.

For me, DC still stands up whereas the last time I watched The Matrix it felt dated and silly. I only watched The 13th Floor once and that was enough.
_________________
"Have you never wondered what it would be like to walk between the ticks and tocks of Time?"