Review of Dark City (1950) by Thomas P — 01 Apr 2016

Some solid ideas and even a few great visuals otherwise fumbled by a director who missed the mark.

Only the talents of Jennifer Connelly come out unscathed here - she is a wonder, yet sadly trapped in a corny misfire Dr. Who episode.

No wonder why this movie tanked - Sewell and Sutherland were miscast and should have switched roles. Sewell's vapid wide-eyed amnesiac offered little hint of missing out on a life he couldnt remember, and Sutherland's amateurish scuttling scientist ruined any attempt at good sci-fi fantasy. Had they switched roles, Sutherland could have brought the needed intensity and intrigue to his amnesia, and Sewell could have brought a police-procedural quality to the scientist - but no, twas horribly miscast. And the tone-free pale green goons were confounding and rather unnecessary.

Disappointing.

I watched this movie bc of its heritage, a clear homage to Terry Gilliam's Brazil - great, and a predecessor to The Matrix - mind-blowing. And yes, they used the same sets for Matrix which debuted the year after Dark City. But this film loses out bc of uneven tone, lackluster story and some terribly bad over-acting.

Only those who LOVE Dr. Who will be able to make the HUGE leap past the problems here and enjoy the fruits of its fantastical nonsense.

Jennifer Connelly alone added a star to the rating, but the rest does not come close to matching her grounded, consistent dedication - it certainly would have been a mighty pleasure if it had.

2 pale-faced glares out of 5.