Director: Alex Proyas
Writer: Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, David S Goyer (Screenplay) Alex Proyas (Story)
Starring: Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O’Brien, Ian Richardson, Bruce Spence, Colin Friels, John Bluthal, Melissa George
Plot: A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: One of the Best
Story: Dark City starts when John Murdoch (Sewell) wakes up in a bath tub, no memory of where or why he is there. A phone call from Dr Schreber (Sutherland) alerts John on impending threat of people tracking him down Mr Hand (O’Brien), Mr Book (Richardson) and Mr Wall (Spence). John is searching for his memory as Dr Schreber contacts his wife Emma (Connelly) and Inspector Frank Bumstead (Hurt) is investigating the dead body in the hotel room Murdoch awoke in.
Searching for the truth John finds himself not knowing who to trust, having no idea where to turn for help but his biggest surprise in Dark City will leave John in total shock.
Dark City brings us one of the greatest sci-fi twist filled story lines of all time, we look at the idea of alien beings trying to understand humans by creating a seperate world for them to play with them. The way this film can create this around the same time at The Matrix and by mixing the town to look like what Inception went on to master. I do feel this could be slightly before its time because it could be ground breaking to a new level.
Actor Review
Rufus Sewell: John Murdoch is our hero who wakes up without a memory, he must retrace the footsteps while avoiding the people who are after him taking advice where it is given to him as he learns the terrifying truth about the Dark City. Rufus does a good job in this leading role where he get to see him question everything going on.
William Hurt: Inspector Frank Bumstead is the lead detective looking for the killer of this ladies of the night, he doesn’t understand the bigger picture and will be left just as shocked as Murdoch when he discovers it. William gives us a good supporting performance as the man trying to join forces to understand what is going on.
Kiefer Sutherland: Dr Daniel P Schreber is the man working for the people controlling what is happening in the city, he learns of John’s abilities where he tries to help break him out while keeping face with the beings running the city. Kiefer gives us a good performance in this role where he is playing both sides of the fence to keep himself safe.
Jennifer Connelly: Emma Murdoch is the wife of John, or so we are lead to believe in a world where he simple don’t know what to believe. She tries to figure out if John is the murderer while being track by Frank. Jennifer gives us a solid supporting performance but doesn’t get enough screen time for the characters requirements.
Richard O’Brien: Mr Hand is the being who is leading the hunt for John, he doesn’t accept that John could have the same powers as him but will not let his people pay for any mistakes. Richard does make for a good villain and as he hunts it a comes off nicely for the character motives.
Support Cast: Dark City has a supporting cast that is the humans and the beings that control the world, they all come together well to make this a sci-fi film that will forever get stuck in the cult history books.
Director Review: Alex Proyas – Alex brings us this hugely ambitious sci-fi film that will be considered one of the most underrated of all time.
Fantasy: Dark City brings us into a fantasy world that they don’t give everything away too much away.
Sci-Fi: Dark City brings us a brilliant sci-fi concept that hasn’t been challenged since.
Thriller: Dark City keeps us guessing to where the story will end up going throughout.
Settings: Dark City creates a setting which looks like an everyday for the people but also has a secret without us knowing.
Special Effects: Dark City has brilliant special effects that show just how ambitious the story really is.
Suggestion: Dark City is one to watch I think they need to see it at least once. (Watch)
Best Part: Ambitious idea
Worst Part: Slightly before itself time.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $27 Million
Budget: $27 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Tagline: You are not who you think you are
Trivia: Roger Ebert called this movie the Best Film of 1998. He recorded a special audio commentary track for the dvd release of the movie.
Overall: One of the best sci-fi films ever made that will keep you guessing throughout.
Rating
