Excellent. Although the ending went a bit over the top and at times
felt more like fighting the final boss in a very cinematic video game
, I really liked it. Definitely one of my favourite films.
One thing that bothered me, however, was how they neglected to
resolve the whole thing about the ... antagonists I guess? Considering they were doing this entire experiment because they wanted to be like humans, I feel like there was a moral issue in there that could have been discussed more throughout the film
.
It was amazing all the same, though. Very interesting story and the characters were pretty cool, most of them.
I think I had this movie too hyped up by the time I watched it. It was definitely interesting, the city was beautiful but there was definitely a lot of room for improvement. I watched the directors cut, and then watched some of the theatrical version. I could not believe the narration at the beginning! I definitely suggest watching the directors cut for your first viewing if you haven't watched it yet.
A really good movie that could have been great with a fair lead performance. Sewell's acting wasn't enough unfortunately. However a somewhat unique movie and a decent predecessor of the Matrix concept.
Pretty good. I'm just glad that I watched the Director's Cut and not the theatrical version (which apparently spoils everything within the first few minutes).
I've seen this more times than I can count. Saw it in the cinema without knowing what it was and loved it immediately. I revisited it again after a long absence so I feel like I can be honest about it. Personally I think the only good thing the Director's Cut did was lose the opening narration. All the other added stuff (
spiral fingerprint, hooker's daughter etc.
) didn't really need to be there and I can see why it was cut. There's a lot of wonky logic throughout, so when you know all the cool surprises those oddities stand out a bit more (e.g.
Dr. Schrieber must have Santa Claus magic to imprint so many people over the whole city each midnight
). So although I think it has lost a bit of its shine since initial release, its an incredible concept, extremely stylish and definitely worth watching. I think next time I'll just watch the regular cut with the first minute on mute.
For many, I hear, Jennifer Connelly sent hearts a-flutter in Labyrinth. Not me. My Connelly-related hot-under-the-collar moment was Dark City. In my head canon, the Wachowskis once had dinner with Alex Proyas and they all brainstormed a movie, then went their separate ways to do their own thing. Proyas was first to movie screens, but the Wachowskis would get the more iconic and for most audiences, more mind-blowing, The Matrix out the next year. Dark City has too much Kafka and too little kung fu, I guess. What we do get is a great noir look, intriguing ideas about nature vs. nurture, the power of memories, and the existence of the human soul, and the climactic reveals are still eye-popping. That said, the characters are, by necessity, a little bland. Only Kiefer Sutherland's could be said to have more continuity, but his halting speech pattern grates after a while. It may be true to say Dark City is a triumph of design over story, and it's appeal is less universal than The Matrix's, but I still like it a lot as a tribute to the power of memories and nostalgia.
Please note that this film was released in February of 1998 whereas The Matrix was released in March of 1999.
The film is more comparable to the style of Brazil and Metropolis, however on it's own, it's compelling, creative, smart, has a great score, great effects, great directing and an overall challenging atmosphere building a frightening realism. Sure, Russel Sewell's acting could have been less "god-awful pathetic" and it did go over the top near the end nevertheless it's visually and mentally entertaining film, surely a Sci-Fi classic to put next to the likes of a Kafkaesque Inception
[7/10] Despite Rufus Sewell's god awful-pathetic lead performance, Dark City is still, nonetheless a visionary film and a milestone in the field of sci-fi noir films which could be set to stand beside the likes of The Matrix and Inception. [7/10]
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Comments 1 - 15 of 24
Remis
Excellent. Although the ending went a bit over the top and at timesOne thing that bothered me, however, was how they neglected to
It was amazing all the same, though. Very interesting story and the characters were pretty cool, most of them.
halftome
This move was amazing... It had everything in it, I just couldn't stop watching it, and it left me just sitting here in my chair for minutes after...torkoal
Kiefer Sutherland's acting in this movie is just ridiculous..dpanter
Goes a bit off the rails in the end but overall a masterpiece. Mandatory.metermouse
I think I had this movie too hyped up by the time I watched it. It was definitely interesting, the city was beautiful but there was definitely a lot of room for improvement. I watched the directors cut, and then watched some of the theatrical version. I could not believe the narration at the beginning! I definitely suggest watching the directors cut for your first viewing if you haven't watched it yet.Xondar
Do yourself a favour and check out the director's cut of this movie. It's a genuinely great movie!Realenur
Sleep!Chrizu
A really good movie that could have been great with a fair lead performance. Sewell's acting wasn't enough unfortunately. However a somewhat unique movie and a decent predecessor of the Matrix concept.Oneironaut
Pretty good. I'm just glad that I watched the Director's Cut and not the theatrical version (which apparently spoils everything within the first few minutes).SpacedJ
I've seen this more times than I can count. Saw it in the cinema without knowing what it was and loved it immediately. I revisited it again after a long absence so I feel like I can be honest about it. Personally I think the only good thing the Director's Cut did was lose the opening narration. All the other added stuff (Siskoid
For many, I hear, Jennifer Connelly sent hearts a-flutter in Labyrinth. Not me. My Connelly-related hot-under-the-collar moment was Dark City. In my head canon, the Wachowskis once had dinner with Alex Proyas and they all brainstormed a movie, then went their separate ways to do their own thing. Proyas was first to movie screens, but the Wachowskis would get the more iconic and for most audiences, more mind-blowing, The Matrix out the next year. Dark City has too much Kafka and too little kung fu, I guess. What we do get is a great noir look, intriguing ideas about nature vs. nurture, the power of memories, and the existence of the human soul, and the climactic reveals are still eye-popping. That said, the characters are, by necessity, a little bland. Only Kiefer Sutherland's could be said to have more continuity, but his halting speech pattern grates after a while. It may be true to say Dark City is a triumph of design over story, and it's appeal is less universal than The Matrix's, but I still like it a lot as a tribute to the power of memories and nostalgia.Siskoid
Matrix meets film noir, but this is so much more than that. Very original in concept, it's very eerie and rich in atmosphere. Highly recommended.V012
Please note that this film was released in February of 1998 whereas The Matrix was released in March of 1999.The film is more comparable to the style of Brazil and Metropolis, however on it's own, it's compelling, creative, smart, has a great score, great effects, great directing and an overall challenging atmosphere building a frightening realism. Sure, Russel Sewell's acting could have been less "god-awful pathetic" and it did go over the top near the end nevertheless it's visually and mentally entertaining film, surely a Sci-Fi classic to put next to the likes of a Kafkaesque Inception
Jok3r
[7/10] Despite Rufus Sewell's god awful-pathetic lead performance, Dark City is still, nonetheless a visionary film and a milestone in the field of sci-fi noir films which could be set to stand beside the likes of The Matrix and Inception. [7/10]Phillipe Marlowe
I liked it because of the stunning photographyShowing items 1 – 15 of 24