Review of Dark City (1998) by Francesco R — 30 Mar 2010

Science Fiction based movies have always been like two edge swords, success or failure mostly depends on how the viewers take the crossing.

I think 'Dark City' is that kind of movie which tries to deliver lots of depth and its success solely depends on how we take pleasure in it. I don't know how closely I should explicate but this film has a feeling of nostalgic noir which still has the power to draw us deeper into the story.

The film begins with the central character waking up in bathtub with practically no memory, finds himself near a murder scene, gets chased by police for the murders he feels he has not committed, meets a woman who claims to be is wife and comes across some mysterious group of weird looking men who seems to control everything and everyone in the city.

Now the idea itself behind the movie was fascinating and it was successful in keeping the pulse through out. 'Dark City' distinguishes itself from other movies which always starts with good drive but fails to deliver the final cut. Cast chosen also for the most part boosted the success to a new stage. Rufus Sewell as the protagonist John Murdoch has been an excellent pick and he was well supported by Jennifer Connelly, Kiefer Sutherland and William Hurt.

Sometimes while watching this movie, viewers might get confused but I think this was a purposeful move made by director Alex Proyas to bring the climax in more meaningful approach. Taking into account the time when this was filmed this is a kind of grand de tour to the very imagination which we long to see in every significant Sci-Fi Movies.

Repetitive viewings offer us something new which are difficult to put in words but certainly will have a lasting mark for quite some time.

I don't know why I say this but this particular movie has a thematic essence very similar to one of the game 'BioShock' I had played recently which was yet another masterpiece in its own genre, but this movie surely should not be ignored.