Review: Sci-Fi “Dark City” Shines Brightly
A cult classic that only found its legs after being released in DVD, Alex Proyas’ Dark City (Director’s cut) is one of the most underrated and under-seen science-fiction masterpiece of our era. Shrouded in a nightmarish neo-noir atmosphere, this extremely ambitious film paved the way for all the “original” concept you have seen in movies like The Matrix (1999) or more recently, Inception (2010). Made on a modest $27 million budget, it may not be as accessible as those movies, but it is just as imaginative and possibly even more thought-provoking.
Set in a dystopian and oppressive metropolis which seems to be in a perennial state of darkness, our main character is John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), a confused man who wakes up in a bath tub with amnesia and the mutilated body of a dead hooker nearby. As the terrified Murdoch tries to piece together his identity and whether he really murdered that woman, he soon realizes that the cops, led by Detective Bumstead (William Hurt), and a group of nightmarish figures are hot on his tails. Murdoch also has to contend with a beautiful nightclub singer who claims to be his wife (Jennifer Connelly), and a stuttering doctor who seems a little too eager to be helpful (Keifer Sutherland).
At the heart of this film lies the fundamental issues of what constitutes the human soul and the nature of conscious reality. Are we the sum of our memories? Does waking up with memories of being a murderer necessarily make you one? What if our “reality” is only constituted of false memories injected upon us during our sleep? As Murdoch wanders the street of the city, he soon encounters the “Strangers”, frightening underground figures who possess the abilities of altering the physical and even psychological reality. They are after Murdoch, who has somehow acquired the same powers although he is unable to control them. As we soon learn, the entire city and its inhabitants is the subject of an experiment. Everyday at midnight, the “Strangers” put the entire town to sleep and start altering the skyline, shifting people’s identities and memories in a quest to study and identify what makes us humans.
Combined with the thought-provoking and somewhat complex concept, Proyas built viscerally stunning visuals to convey the dark and grim motifs of the movie. Quite reminiscent of Blade Runner and Brazil, the city itself is in a perennial night-time state with highly interesting Gothic architecture as background, the type of city that exists only in the minds of a prolific architect. The set designs are awe-inspiring and finely complements the overall theme of the movie, really going one step farther than most movies in how detailed the backgrounds are. This is truly outstanding work in terms of building an atmospheric and moody ambiance on a modest budget.
Performance-wise, none of the actors appear larger than life which is a good thing in a film where the characters should take a backseat to the world they live in. Rufus Sewell is solid as Murdoch, bringing an everyman quality to the character that would have been harder to reproduce with an A-list actor. William Hurt is excellent as the stoic detective Bumstead while Jennifer Connelly easily slips into her old-time torch singer role. Kiefer Sutherland is a bit of a weak link as the stuttering and limping mad scientist who reluctantly helps the “Strangers”. It certainly is a role that is underwritten but the actor highlight that facts even more due to a somewhat annoying delivery.
While clearly inspiring himself from movies such as Brazil, Metropolis or Blade Runner, Proyas crafted a truly unique film that is rich in clues and elements that don’t necessarily make sense right away. The best movies never make everything apparent at first sight and allow the viewer to progressively work it out in their mind as the film unfolds. The masterful technical aspects of the movie tend to overshadow the story itself but this is not to say that the movie is all style and no substance. In many ways, Dark City doesn’t have all that much to say, yet, it resonates on a deeper level because it makes us question our own existence and our potential place in the greater scheme of the universe.
An atmospheric and visually striking sci-fi, Dark City is one of the most unique and creative movies to come out of Hollywood in years. This is what every science-fiction should be like.
A-
(9/10)
Notes: Rated R for violent images and some sexuality, 111 minutes (Director’s cut), a Mystery Clock Cinema/New Line Cinema film. Watch the Director’s Cut which is significantly different from the theatrical version
28 Comments
I love this film and agree with almost all of your comments! The visuals are breathtaking and the story manages something original while still drawing from earlier movies like Brazil or Metropolis. For me the one weak link is Jennifer Connelly, whose performance is so flat and unemotional it takes me out of the film.
And I’ll say it: Dark City is better than Inception. Whoa.
Alex, I was going to say that as far as dream inspired post-modern film noir’s go, this one is better than Inception, but of course, you beat me to it.
So glad you agree, Mike!
Agreed! Such a stronger atmosphere than Inception.
Yeah, I’ll take Dark City over Inception as well.
I’m saying this honestly I don’t see anything thought-provoking about Dark City. The ambience is rich and reminiscent of Metropolis and M, but it certainly isn’t above The Matrix or Inception.
Great review. This is one of my favorite movies. I saw it on opening day and have loved it ever since. Much better than those trashy Matrix movies.
I recently saw the director’s cut and while it was cool to see some new scenes, I felt that the pacing in that version was far inferior to the theatrical cut. They really are two completely different beasts. I don’t know that I would have enjoyed the film as much if it came out as the director’s cut initially, but who’s to say.
I wish Proyas would make something worth caring about again. This gave me such hope for a good, new sci-fi director and then he does “I, Robot” with Will Smith. Ugh.
I preferred the Theatrical cut personally over the Director’s Cut like yourself but I agree on the two different beast comparison.
Never seen the theatrical cut but Proyas himself advocates seeing this cut as he really wasn’t happy with what the studio made him do. That also explain why he made so many changes.
I love this movie a lot. I see more Metropolis, M and Blade Runner than I do Inception or the Matrix but I see the hints. I think the Adjustment Bureau (if it ever comes out) is closer to Dark City in terms of tone and style than Inception. But on it’s own merits Dark City is a phenomenal film and I love it.
Good call, it definately has a Bladerunner vibe to it… and the Metropolis call back is pretty obvious.
This is one movie I’ve been wanting to watch for a long time, but just haven’t for one reason or another. Your review makes it sound even more intriguing (if it reminds you of Bladerunner or Brazil, then I have to see it). Perhaps the next time I see it on the shelf I’ll pick up a copy.
Fantastic movie. Didn’t much like the end the first time, but I’m gonna watch it again anyway.
Yeah the end left me confused and a bit let down at first but after a few viewings it does get better and the film really proves to be as awesome as the rep its developed
What was wrong with the ending?
It didn’t confuse me so muc h as bug me. I don’t know why, something about the whole reintroduction thing.
Yeah that was mostly it for me. The reintroduction thing kind of threw me. It’s still a great movie though.
Since I was deeply disappointed in Inception, maybe this can make up for it. Bladerunner is one of my favs, so if this can hold a candle to that…I’m in! Going to put it on my Netflix list right now.
Hope you enjoy it! Sorry to hear that you were disappointed with Inception
This movie is certainly the remedy to Inception. It’s smarter, better made, ie, takes time to breathe, develop characters, etc as opposed to diving headfirst into action and special effects and it has actual philosphical ideas to discuss that go deeper than “was it all a dream?”
An outstanding, fast paced, visual masterpiece. This film is amazing. One of the most original Sci-Fi films ever made.
Great rating… nothing like a sci-fi noir to get my blank blank!
This is the flick that should’ve made Rufus Sewell a star! I saw it not too long ago because of him but I also really enjoyed the movie, the fact that it’s still got a mention when people review a similarly-themed sci-fi flick is a testament of how well this holds up. I completely forgot Jennifer Connelly’s in this, well probably her role’s forgettable anyway.
This movie is the bomb. Haven’t seen it since High School, but it’s arguably the best thing Proyas has ever done (The Crow was awesome too though, bonus points for the soundtrack). DAMN I need to see this again. Great review, dude.
Hi Anomalous, rtm kindly sent me the link to your review. I have a different view of this film than most commenting here, however. Not a SciFi fan at all, but like rtm, watched it for Rufus Sewell. The opening bathroom scene (like I said, saw this for Ruf, in all his glory!) totally draws you in, then the film grips you and never lets go. It was almost the end before I realized that an alien world was being portrayed. And Rufus is amazingly believable and convincing as someone who is trying to make sense of what is happening to him and others around him. Also not interested in Inception, but it’s incredible to hear Dark City is equal to, if not better. Very nice review!
Thanks PrairieGirl (I actually in EP as well!). I enjoyed Rufus performance and he was quite charismatic and funny in the extras material on the DVD. Wonder what happened to him as far as his movie career is concerned.
Hi EP neighbor! Check out Rufus on IMDB, his movie career has been quite impressive since 1998: The Legend of Zorro, A Knight’s Tale, The Illusionist are popular ones that come to mind, and lesser-known films like Tristan & Isolde where he simply shines. Still waiting patiently for him to get other leading men roles like Dark City which he so greatly deserves.
This is the best sci-fi film since Blade Runner and frankly, I think it’s better than The Matrix and Inception. What makes this film work more than those is that it really is more interested in bringing to bear these questions of philosophy and exploring them than in the visual spectacle. Yes, it’s an astounding looking film, but the atmosphere exists to explore these questions, not to show off or make sequences that appeal to 13-year-old boys. To me, this is a different kind of sci-fi that is more interested in atmosphere and philosophy than bombastic action.
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