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i never realized that the matrix used dark city's sets. i always cursed the matrix for what i felt was artistic theft. thank you for clarifying that.
it amazes me that a movie as original and cinematically beautiful as dark city is relegated to cult status.

I remember stumbling upon this movie one night. I watched in VHS in the days when renting a movie meant driving into town and searching the shelves of the convenience store. I watched it and it blew my mind. Instantly became one of my favourites. Glad to see it getting some Pajiba love.

Hell-ya! I loved this movie when it came out, so did Roger Ebert (he said it was the best movie of that year!), which makes him right by me.

Yay! I have been ranting to my friends for years about this movie and how much...less Keanu'ed than the Matrix is. Yay for someone agreeing with me

OK my self esteem is low today.

As long as you guys are doing "underappreciated" films (which I am loving)...let me heartily suggest "Testament", a made for TV movie about nuclear war in California. So insanely worth your time, i can't even tell you.

This is one of my favourite scifi films. Although I have to admit I was going through a severe bout of insomnia at the time and a part of me really wanted to live in a place where sleep descended automatically each night. I also think this film tapped in to a basic fear we all have of not being able to get back to where we belong at some point in our lives. It's really a metaphor for how circumstances can take us away (physically and/or psychologically) from where we fit and leave us with jagged memories that aren't sufficient to help us to return. And the cold fear that comes with the realization that we can never go back.
Or maybe it's just a good old scary movie and I read too much into it.

Wow! One of my favorite movies, glad to see that others appreciate it too.

One thing you didn't mention about the performances you rightfully praised is that several of the characters (Jennfer Connelly & William Hurt in particular) have their personalities "fade in" throughout the movie, as they begin to get a grip of who they are. The actors pull this thankless task tremendously, especially Hurt.

Great movie. Great review.

It's funny, I only noticed the parallels between this and the Matrix after you mentioned them. They're so different despite the thematic similarities that I wouldn't even put them in the same category.

*sigh* You people and your costing me moneyness.

Just ordered myself a copy because damn if I don't love me some distopian horror/Kiefer.

I dragged people to see this in the theaters and we all loved it and still do. At that time I was deep in the throes of a life-damaging Kiefer Sutherland obsession, but luckily, this film is carried by much more than my sweet Ace.

Fuck "The Matrix".

Oh come on, The Matrix was stupid fun.

Fuck the sequels.

I've never seen Dark City but I must add it to my online queue. I must admit, I was never really a fan of The Matrix franchise, but that's probably because I had ingested a fair amount of Tanquerray both before and during the first film, which left me reeling and quite queasy throughout the screening. That initial experience shied me away from indulging in the rest of the trilogy. (In addition to the aforementioned sickening experience and despite the fact that Keanu Reeves can sometimes be considered "eye candy," I feel that his range of acting seems to fall somewhere between a life-sized cardboard cut-out of himself and a bowl of corn flakes...am I missing out on something here?) Anyway, I love Kiefer, so I'll give Dark City a shot. The review sounds promising.

This movie is fantastic. Keiffer is a great actor when he has the parts. One of my favorite scenes is the confrontation between Keiffer and one the Strangers while Keiffer is taking a bath in his plastic swim suit. How he is somewhat protected by the water, but at the same time, in danger due to the "juneing" (sp?) and the abilities of the Strangers.

As much as I hate on the Matrix, it was a lot like a dumb man's Dark City. Where dark city provoked thought, Matrix provoked laughter. Where dark city provoked intrigue and mystery, matrix provoked excitement and action. Where dark city relied on character and plot, matrix relied on kung fu and special effects. and let's be honest, sometime I feel like being dumb.

I agree that this movie is a forgotten...well, maybe not a classic, but certainly a forgotten goodie and well worth anyone's time.

Keefah does an especially good job. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him turn in a better performance than this one.

And Jennifer Connelly is just so feckin' beautiful.

Besides being a better film in every possible way, Dark City trumps The Matrix in terms of attractiveness. Rufus Sewell and Jennifer Connelly are both gorgeous, especially in this film.

I love this movie, and I especially love William Hurt. After years of almost-not-quite becoming a leading man, Dark City seems to mark his emergence as a character actor. He's fantastic, but so is the whole movie. It's one of the first DVDs I bought.

I have always really liked this movie, however, whenever I try to introduce my friends to it, they invariably fall asleep on the couch. I've come to the conclusion I either need more interesting friends, a less comfortable couch or the movie must be lacking a little something.

Thanks to Pajiba, my Netflix Queue continues to grow. I'll be adding this one today.

I must be the voice of dissent here, and say that I've always hated this movie. My husband made me go see it with him when it came out, and I sat there hating it the whole time. When the final credits rolled, I looked over and saw that my husband had been SLEEPING the WHOLE TIME.

I was arrested for assault.

No love for Richard O'Brien in this movie? Who would have thought Riff-Raff/the presenter of The Crystal Maze could be so motherfucking creepy? Awesome movie.

The Crow was the first R-rated movie I saw as a kid, so when I saw the trailer that said "From the director of The Crow" (even though I couldn't fully grasp what 'director' really meant), I kept bugging my older brother to take me when it came out. And he did, and I was one ecstatic 13-year-old.

Dill the Devil:

You didn't know Richard O'Brien could be creepy before you saw this movie? The man oozes creepiness from every pore. You don't remember the sinister glee he had in pointing out the errors of the Crystal Maze contestants? The guy can't help his physical appearance but even in a game show non-threatening environment he looked like Nosferatu come alive. I had always supposed they built the look of the aliens based on him.

Yes! Some Dark City love! When I first watched the matrix, I felt there was something off with it...and then I discovered Dark City and saw what I had been missing. I bought the vhs when it first came out, and then when I upgraded to DVD, it was one of the first I bought.

Honestly, if you want something gorgeous that wasn't the matrix, watch this movie and Equilibrium. Both impressed me with being everything the matrix wasn't....

Omigawd, Dill the Devil...I never even realized that was Riff-Raff! I always wondered why he looked so familiar, and why I was freaked out by him even before he was creepy...

Mella--funny that you should say. When I picked out Mr. Marifer71 out of the crowd, this movie was one of the 12 "labors" that he had to engage in to keep my interest. It's a good thing he really liked it or those tickets to Germany (to meet his parents) would have been a waste.

I've been meaning to give this a second chance, because it just didn't impress me at the theater all those years ago.

[i]Dark City[/i] is an excellent film. Great feel, great mood, great look, solid performances. It's a fantastic blend of film-noir and sci-fi.

As for being "superior" to [i]The Matirx[/i]. I don't know...

The Matrix has taken a lot of flak (rightfully slo) because of the absolute shit that were its two sequels. They are really horrible movies, but the first movie was fantastic. In fact, [i]The Matrix[/i] is still the currently the best action movie in terms of pure action scenes, stunts, and special effects.

There hasn't been an action movie, since [i]The Matrix[/i] that blew me away like that. Prior to [i]The Matrix[/i], I would have to say [i]Terminator 2[/i] held that title.

Wow. That was some solid work on those HTML tags...

As far as individual movies go, I enjoyed the Matrix more. No hate for Dark City though...

But if someone put a switchblade to my tender spots and said I had to decide between watching the Matrix trilogy vs. Dark City, Keefy-Keef and the Feratu bunch would win, hands down.

The trilogy just... guh. I would rather watch a twenty-four hour marathon of the Blair Witch Project than sit through those two sucksville sequels. Seriously, I'd rather gargle room-temperature vomit... Blech.

Honestly, if you want something gorgeous that wasn't the matrix, watch this movie and Equilibrium.

In no world is Equilibrium as good as the first Matrix movie. Just no.

*adds to my god damn queue.

Hee, Ajax19...now that we don't have to preview our comments, this is a hazardous place to post.

Yes, yes, hell freakin' YES! I LOVE this movie!!!! I am a HUGE Kiefer freak, a HUGE sci-fi freak, and when you can combine them, along with the beautimous Jennifer Connolly, the go-funny-eye-nous of Rufus Sewell, and the all-together cool of William Hurt in a damn spiffy noir NYC mystery....it just doesn't get any better. It started out as a late night cable pleasure and now it is an "oh, hell, no, NORBIT is on HBO AGAIN???? Time to pop in a good movie" movie.

Dark City was just lovely - a pleasant respite from the frenetic overdose of adrenaline from the Matrix. I thought both movies were great - but, and I hate to bring it up because it is just so futile - why oh why don't they know how to leave well enough alone (a la Matrix sequels and Star Wars prequels)?

The essence of success for these two examples was the inclusive nature of the 'force' and a sense of membership in the matrix itself as a definition of all the negative/confusing emotions in daily life. When you take that away from the fans by bullshitting up some backstory like metichlorian counts or contriving an ending that does not actually pay off on the premise of the audience affecting/possibly participating within the prison/matrix, you simply kill off the connection.

I hated that and had to get it off my chest. Dumbasses. I'd feel the force more often, if I didn't have to justify my membership with a test that is NOT YET AVAILABLE IN CANADA! And a sunshiny matrix is still a matrix all the same. I want out!

Boo.

I love Dark City! My husband and I have been trying to get our friends to watch this for years-

girlcrush moment-I remember thinking that somehow Jessica Rabbit had come to life in Jennifer Connelly.

Jennifer Connellly will always be my Jessica Rabbit.

twig, all I'm going to say is....Keanu vs Christian Bale.

Do The Strangers remind anyone else of The Gentlemen from the absolutely freaky Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Hush?"

I'm sure if I saw the movie, I wouldn't have the same association, but from the pic above, and even more so, the one on Richard O'Brien's page on IMDb, that was my first thought.

Shadows, I will not argue the power of Christian Bale's Perfect Leather-Clad Ass (or that Keanu has all the on-screen power of a dead trout) but Equilibrium had so many good ideas (aforementioned PLCA, gunkata, those awesome cleric coats) smashed up against some of the worst dialogue and world-building... oi.

I forgive unsalvagable movies much more easily than those that flirt with greatness but are ultimately content to suck (see: Renaissance)

Great review Agent, as always. I've heard about if for the longest time and have not seen it. So I'm now convinced.
Better than The Matrix? Matrix one was kick ass, but I'm willing to believe you.

I fucking LOVE this movie. God, I remember watching the trailer on TV and thinking, "Holy shit. That looks awesome". And then I remember all the zany Matrix marketing schtick. Dark City didn't need any of that bullshit. Mad love for Rufus Sewell.

Excellent review! I added this to my queue long ago after someone commented about it here, but it just got moved up. I certainly need something good to watch; the worst part about being sick with the creepin' crud is the utter, complete boredom that accompanies it.

Actually, that's not a bad idea for an afternoon comment diversion--favorite movies to watch while you're sick.

Do The Strangers remind anyone else of The Gentlemen from the absolutely freaky Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Hush?"

OMG yes! My sister is a Buffy fan and I had been telling her for years that she should watch Dark City, but she refused. Dark City was on cable one day and she said if I had told her it had The Gentlemen in it, she would have watched it a long time ago.

Simple tip for new watchers of this movie: mute it until the title so you don't hear Kiefer's opening monologue. Makes the first watch infinitely better as you get to grapple along with Rufus Sewell trying to figure out what the fuck is going on, and makes all the big reveals much more potent.

PaddyDog: On reflection, you have a point. I now remember having the distinct impression that he was far too at home in the Medieval Zone with Mumsy.

tamatha: Thanks very much for reminding about that episode of Buffy. I'm not going to be sleeping tonight now. Gave me the deep-down heebie-jeebies, did that one. The Gentlemen are just... wrong.

Not to take anything away from Dark City, but the Matrix delivers (for me) on two notes that I'm a sucker for:

(1) determinism versus free-will, existentialism, etc.
(2) the superman mythology. The payoff in the transformation of Neo into the One, starting with the rescue attempt and ending with the defeat of Smith, is easily worth any of the weaknesses (and considering Reeves' acting, that says a lot).

As far as Keifer, my only issue is that I can't get Lost Boys out of my head, no matter which of his movies I'm watching. To me, he is that movie.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "The Thirteenth Floor". It was little seen at the time but it was kind of a cross between Matrix and Dark City. Came out the same year too. When Hollywood was desperately trying to get a movei about virtual reality to work, and usually failing miserably.

The one thing about Dark City, I thought the Strangers said at one point that they took our dead. Meaning all the people were reanimated corpses. It's been a few years since I've seen it but that has always stuck in my mind. Maybe I am misremebering. Great movie though, deserves all the love. I saw it opening weekend and was disappointed it didn't do better at the box office. The chase sequence while the city is changing is just freaking great.

Dill-
Well, since you'll be up, you can watch Dark City.

Sorry for the creep out...

I remember the Thirteenth Floor. I liked it well enough, but it wasn't as good as Dark City. And yeah, it got swallowed up when Matrix hit.

Still, that movie does have the dubious honor of introducing me to Gretchen Mol.

tamatha, not only is Hush a fantastically creepy episode, but the scene in the auditorium is classic. (Damn, I miss that series . . .)

Let me add my "fuck yes" for Dark City!!! An under-appreciated gem if there's ever been one.

Sorry Shadows, but I'm going with twig on that one--SPOT ON about some of the worst dialog I've ever had the misfortune to hear coming from such gorgeous lips. Equilibrium was like going on a first date with a gorgeous, intelligent person, only to later discover they have no genitals. Uncomfortable, to say the least.

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.

there, it's out of my system. sorry y'all.

Tamatha - If I'd ever actually gotten around to buying it on DVD, I probably would do just that. As it is, I just finished watching - and I can't believe I'm about to admit to this on Pajiba - Executive Decision. Which is the only one of the seven movies I have in my *sob* Steven motherfucking Seagal boxset I hadn't gotten around to watching yet.

*breaks down into wretched weeping and wailing*

I need help, you guys. I need help!

Hah...alright....since I've been outnumbered...I'll just nurse my private Equilibrium love to myself.

Sniff...

Shadows of Dakaron: I've got your back with Equilibrium. It's gunfight-porn just as much as Step Up 2 is dance-porn.

And next... to take over the world muah ha ha ha .

Seriously though Shadows, I could be convinced of its value after a bottles of palm wine and a plate of fried plantains....but hell, I'd lick PissBoy's keyboard after that too, so take that for what it's worth...

Thankyou! I watched this a few years ago as part of a high school philosophy course. I loved it and I was thinking a couple of days ago that I should watch it again. I was worried that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered however, so I didn't hire it to avoid risking my memories.
Now I can hire it safely.

I don't know where this Matrix hate is coming from (I loved it, and have probably seen it upwards of 30 or 40 times), but sequels not withstanding it's a great movie and i can't see why anyone would have a problem with it (a role designed for wooden acting? Keanu's christmases all came at once...).

I can't help but wonder if this is one of those hipsterish things that got mentioned in the (SH)IT list.

I just showed this movie to a bunch of my friends, and they all adored it. I think this proves that my friends are awesome, yes?

And you know, I honestly never connected Dark City to The Matrix, despite the obvious Platonian idea parallels. They're so entirely different in feel and execution that I ended up liking both of them equally, though for entirely different reasons, of course.

Then again, I may just be a sucker for sci-fi, because I also loved Equilibrium. But come on! Christian Bale and gunkata equals BADASS. 'Nuff said.

...coming from the man with a Steven Seagal boxset....

:) I kid, Dill, I kid.

Thanks, Dill...I got your back on Seagel!

And boo....there's nothing, NOTHING, that could possibly compel you to lick PB's keyboard. I am taking into account the seductively delicious powers of fried plantains (oh man, now I've got the craving!). Please...for the children...

Wtf? I'd never even heard of Equilibrium until today! I take it it came and went from the theaters quite quickly? Looks like I'll be havin' myself an Equilibrium/Dark City night now.

kalexal - yes, this is the litmus test to find out if your friends are awesome. they have passed (conditionally: check their dvd collection for anything containing RainbowKiller or Martin Lawrence).

And that is the equation one needs to keep in mind when watching Equilibrium. Thank you!

I've only ever seen the first half-hour of this movie, but I'm going to go out and rent it as soon as I can!

Quick shots:

1) Dark City is better than Matrix as far as story, mood and theme. It totally blows Matrix out of the water, especially in the determinism vs. free will department (switching people's memories to see if their entire essence will change? fuck all). As far as action, Matrix wins. There doesn't have to be competition. You can enjoy both.

2) Equilibrium was awesome. But yes, some of the dialogue was shit. It is just that those of us that thought is was awesome were able to look past that. And dammit, Bale made that fucker HIS. See Ultraviolet if you want to see how bad the movie would have been without him.

3) Funnily enough, while Ebert loved this film, Roeper was the guy who sold me on Equilibrium. Those two might actually be on to something....

4) We should actually be happy this film did poorly. Since Matrix made all that money, they just had to fasttrack two suck-ass sequels that spoiled the whole thing. Dark City, on the other hand, was left alone to quietly mindfuck anyone lucky enough to pick it up in the video store (like myself).

Eloquent as always, Vermillion, and beautifully stated. Okay, I'm done with this thread...

"Dark City" is my all time favorite Sci-Fi film. It belongs up there with "2001", "Blade Runner", and "Alien". Like many of the other commenters, I'm kind of happy that it has a cult following and is a kind of shared secret amongst true connoisseurs of the genre.

Haha, YES! Dark City is amazing. Further proof that Pajiba is right about everything but Hellboy.

I don't know if the film changed (a la Blade Runner) or I just got instructions like mightygodking, but the first time I saw Dark City, the fact that they were in space was not explained. The reveal, when it came (Sewell and Hurt with their sledgehammers), was breathtaking.

Love this movie.

Also, let me second vaguelyamish: Testament is an underappreciated gem -- the most low-key, yet most nightmarish post-nuclear film I've ever seen.

Loved this movie :) I'm with you Shadows - Equilibrium rocked. It was goofy as all hell, but once you let yourself get sucked in it was awesome.

As a side note: I would like to nominate Cemetery Man as an under-appreciated gem that deserves a review.

I love both Dark City and Equilibrium. Both of them are excellent, thought provoking movies. I( haven't watched Dark City in quite some time, but I watched Equilibrium just a few days ago. No matter how many times I see it, it always knocks my socks off.

The first Matrix movie rocked, but the two sequels pretty much killed the whole Matrix thing off. I can't watch The Matrix without thinking of the two shitty sequels. The should have used some of the stories from The Animatrix as the basis for the sequels.

This IS a great movie! And impossible to find now anywhere. At least, anywhere I am. I think that's a great idea about muting the opening. The atmosphere in this film is wonderfully consistent. I always felt bad that Sewell never got another role that could make best use of him. Keifer's character here is just repellingly watchable, and sad, in his way.

Jennifer Connelly, lovely as heaven and totally worth breaking your heart over. And let's not forget Melissa George!

But the first Matrix had its moments too--- no, screw that. The first Matrix WAS a great movie too! EVEN IF it's mainly because they make an AMAZING transition of showing the Matrix world as different from the real world, that first time. I have to admit (as really, I think most of us should) that when I first realized that Morpheus was being literal about the world not being the real world... man, it took my breath away.

But the same sets as Dark City? THat's fantastic! Dark City is magnificent too. (I had some unresolved William Hurt-Hate when I first saw it, which kept me from LOVING it as opposed to liking it. By now I've accepted Hurt is who he is.)

Equilibrium -- I have to say, that movie was both great action and great undercurrents. When I realized it was 1984 remade for a modern generation, I praised them for being so ambitious, yet engaging.

Bravo, Agent Bedhead! Great review. This film is sorely underrated, and to makes things even better, you just gave me another interesting way of looking at it.

As for the current Matrix discussion. Screw that, Dark City is far better. At least i think so. Just my $.02

i remember when my dad and i went to see this when it first came out, we loved it, i was captivated by the opressive, claustrphobic feel created by the lack of daytime, we saw it at night so when we left and it was still dark we where fantasically unsettled and discussed the film late into the night.
whenever it replayed on TV i always got the feeling the people airing it didnt know quite what they'd gotten their hands on, they'd air it at odd times, either too late for anyone to still be up barring us wandering insomniacs, or opposite some prime time movie or tv show that'd have people missing if not the entirety, then the first hour or so.
Its SUCH a good film, the city is such an 'EveryCity' if you will, but at the same time there's no single identifying feature that is quite like any real place, so its both relatable and alienating-the sense of unease that creates, and watching the buildings shift, they seem almost themselves like dark sentinels, not to be trusted along with the Strangers.
I've never liked Sewell as much in anything since this, he really was the perfect piece of casting and Kiefer as well is more likeable in this than (IMO)In anything he's ever been in.
Richard O'brien is just...he's Richard O'Brien, he's incredible as always.

And for the record, i too love Equilibrium, most people i know do actually, the action was great, Bale was amazing as always and if you can watch it for IT, just for the film thats on the screen without automatically comparing it to similar others, its just a fantastic bit of fun to watch.

Further proof that Pajiba is right about everything but Hellboy.
Posted by: Joe at February 19, 2008 6:46 PM

Whoa whoa whoa--that was before my time at Pajiba. What did they say about Hellboy? Did you people hate on Hellboy? I fucking love that movie. I just about ate it up with a spoon. It's so busy--crammed with enough ideas and riffs for four or five run-of-the-mill Hollywood crap-bites...You better not have said bad shit about Hellboy.

...I would like to nominate Cemetery Man as an under-appreciated gem that deserves a review.
Posted by: s. pisaster at February 19, 2008 6:58 PM

I rented Cemetery Man as a direct result of stuff people said here on Pajiba. And...it sucked. Jesus God it SUUUUUUUUUUUCKED. I don't know if it's the Italian chickette with the bad boob job getting naked all over the place, or what it is that makes people say this is a good movie; but it's NOT. It's just not. I have seen the occasional good movie, and this movie just has nothing in common with those movies.

Oh--I forgot:
For underappreciated gem, I nominate Repo Man.

You know, this kind of movie is right up my alley. And I've seen it three, possibly four, times.

Because every time someone mentions it, I think, wow, this movie is something I could enjoy, and I rent it again. It's not till I hear Kiefer's opening lines that I think, aw, shit, I've done it again.

It's just not memorable to me. I don't know why. Maybe it's because the pacing is so slow, and we watch this guy start off unraveled, that I just lose interest.

I should like this movie. It's got all the right elements. But, I don't. Same way I feel about "Memento."

Holy shit, I'm not alone!

And here I was, thinking it was just me in the darkest period of my Kiefer Sutherland phase.

I love this movie. And, as much respect as I generally have for everyone here, I can't believe so many of the Pajiba faithful haven't seen this. AtO, for the first time you have let me down. My cyber-crush on you may have diminished a little. Watch this movie immediately and I'll forgive you. Oh, who am I kidding. You're too awesome AtO; I've already forgiven you.

Finally, some kindred spirits...Dark City, Equilibrium and the first Matrix...all good.

I can only add that if we force-fed Jennifer Connelly some food so she would gain 10 pounds, she would be the perfect Wonder Woman.

In 2000, I saw the beginning of an anime series called "Big O," about citizens living in a dilapidated version of '40's New York, the entireity of them having suffered mass memory loss. In 2003, the series continued into a second season...and ended with a finale that implied that the writers took heavy inspiration from this movie(Not to mention lots of LSD.).

I saw this a few years ago (mainly because it involved Jennifer Connelly) and was very pleasantly surprised (mainly because of Jennifer Connelly. Oh, the things I'd do...).

Yeah. Great movie. Came out in that weirdly brief flurry of "perception isn't necessarily reality" movies along with the Matrix (duh), 13th Floor, and eXitenZ (or however you spell that David Cronenberg) .

And it's easily the best of them.

I loved this movie, but I wanted to point out that the original print didn't have the voiceover at the beginning since it was actually supposed to be a movie based on disassociative disorder and is based off the book "Memoirs of my nervous illness". I can't remember the author, but it was written in 1901 and described most of the futuristic scenes in the movie. The movie is supposed to be about the illness that is keeping his mind going in circles and the protagonist is himself when he started getting treatment. That is why the end is when he finally got better and was able to lead a normal life. They only added the voiceover for the american version because they didn't think we would be able to understand what was going on. This is why when the people pass out in their soup, they don't die. They are just part of his mind.

Finally! I've been telling my friends and random people about this film for years, and no one else I've met has ever even heard of it. I know, I need new friends. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone Pajiba. Can I come live with you guys?

And for the record, the Matrix sequels were never "fast tracked" in response to the original's success. They were planned from the very beginning, which just makes them all the more dissapointing, I know. Still, at least we'll always have the Animatrix.

Sorry, bit late to the fray here, but for those who never realised about the sets being reused there are some decent comparison photos here:

http://galeon.hispavista.com/cinerama/actu2/matrixdarkcity.htm

Did anyone else who saw The Company and this go: "Michael Keaton is channeling Kiefer Sutherland as Dr. Schreber's voice."

Sorry, gotta add to the dissent here. This movie blew. Someone on Pajiba mentioned it months ago so I Netflixed it- and it was BORING! I remember almost none of it. I thought Equilibrium was much better (of course, that could have been due to Christian Bale).

I love Dark City. Saw it three times in the theater, own the novelization, the DVD. Hell, I'd own the underoos if Jennifer Connelly was in them...

Melina, you're right. Dark City is a snooze fest. The hell with all this "used the sets business" - that's just cheap-assed filmmaking in Australia, where they (and the 13th Floor) were shot, nothing to do with being derivative. Dark City is a triumph of art direction over story, and is ultimately dull and plodding.

And Jerce, you're right too. Repo Man is cool, Dark City is a nerd film, very Mark Mothersbaugh. Repo Man is somehow Rock and Roll.

The one thing about Dark City, I thought the Strangers said at one point that they took our dead. Meaning all the people were reanimated corpses. It's been a few years since I've seen it but that has always stuck in my mind.

It was the aliens who took over dead bodies to
give themselves a corporal and semi-human
existence. The actual humans were alive.

Why do you people write on these comment sections praising the writers for this site about the reviews?
I like the reviews, but the shameless praise seems to go against the very ideals these critics would hold while reviewing movies.

Why do you people write comments?
All you people do is shamelessly praise the writers for this website which seems to go against the very ideals they hold for which they review movies.