Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!
Plot Summary: An amnesiac, pursued by shifty men in black, must uncover his identity in a city of endless night.
Review: It's always bothered me that this film never received the praise and notoriety it most certainly deserved. Obviously this film has garnered a cult following, but, as a consequence, it has become subject to whiners saying it doesn't hold up or endless comparisons to films/books that came after; this is especially tiresome when it comes to parallels with "The Matrix." Was this the first movie to have this particular plot and twist? No, but it presented a style and atmosphere extremely unique and original. The intrigue and mystery are masterfully executed, and the neo-noir approach works wonders. The only downside for me is a few questionable aspects to the story, occasionally shoddy effects, and a cornball final battle. Finally, I only watch the director's cut of this film nowaday, and hardly remember the differences with the theatrical version, so bear that in mind.
To briefly summarize the plot, we are introduced to a man with only the faintest of memories--he believes his name to be John Murdoch. Finding himself at the location of a murder, John runs away in an attempt to find answers as police investigate the crime. Unfortunately for John, he is pursued by cenobite-like men (and a brat) who possess various psychic powers; John discovers he has similar powers as well. Trying to recall his identity, John comes across his apparent wife, played by the timelessly beautiful Jennifer Connelly, but he senses something is amiss. At this point, John starts to take notice of many strange occurrences around the city which includes people suddenly falling asleep, buildings appearing out of nowhere, and seeing people rearranged with new identities. Deep in his memories, John is haunted by a place called Shell Beach that is impossible to reach. When others try to recall how to get to Shell Beach, the memory is a haze and leads to a circle within the city's confines. Questioning everything around him, John, with the assistance of a police detective, confronts a mysterious doctor who knows the truth. It is revealed that the entire city is floating in space--a kind of experiment by aliens, who inhabit human hosts, as they attempt to understand individuality within humans. The aliens possess a hive mind that is dying, and, in order to survive, they are studying human memories and behavior in order to possess desired traits for themselves. The city is completely controlled by machines that enhance the psychic powers of the aliens in order for them to manipulate the lives of all the people similarly to rats in a maze. John was an anomaly as he adapted to the memory transfers the aliens would perform and somehow gained their abilities. In a somewhat Hollywood conclusion, John uses the aliens' machines against them in order to boost his psychic powers beyond theirs. By the end, John tries to reconnect with his wife, whose memories have been reset, as the city is free of the alien's manipulation and under his control.
The thing that makes this film feel so special is that the mystery unfolds with perfect pacing. You are given tiny glimpses of what is happening as the audience is as confused as John. As the puzzle pieces come together, you start to see the big picture in an epic way. The use of neo-noir to establish the story's foundation works excellently to complement the mystery. It also serves another purpose in presenting that the aliens couldn't decide on the best way to depict a human environment. Speaking of which, the city's design is to be commended and is memorable--sticking with the viewer long after the credits roll. The perpetual darkness, the strange phenomenon around the city, and the hazy memories are all story elements I absolutely adore. But, best of all, is the questioning of reality, and the nihilistic vision of what our lives may truly amount toward. The usage of memory and how it shapes the individual is represented well and a fantastic theme I wish more films would apply. The ending provides an interesting idea to consider as all of these people have no true identity. Who they were, the lives they lived...those things are long lost. Are we defined by those things or does the core person reside within unaffected by outside influence? With John and his wife, they feel a love for each other beyond what they remember--would regular people be that way or is it simple romanticism? The film leaves many things to ponder.
The imagery, tone, atmosphere, and style are all amazing; the cinematography is top notch that's for sure. There are problems with a few special effects, but I can overlook that kind of grievance. The acting is done well enough, despite a few missteps, and Ms. Connelly is perfect for that dreamy kind of love interest. The aliens could have used a little more fleshing out especially with the mild indication that they longed for individuality. This made me feel somewhat sympathetic for them which was an avenue not explored properly. As I mentioned, the ending does falter slightly as the aliens probably should have been able to overpower John. Eh, it's not a deal-breaker, but it's nowhere near as satisfying as Neo vs. Smith. Yes, the parallels to "The Matrix" are noticeable, but this movie came first so it's a moot point really. It's just an inescapable comparison viewers will make since "The Matrix" is more famous and popular. If anything, the closest fiction that mirrors "Dark City" would probably be the anime, "Big O."
Overall, this is one of those movies every sci-fi fan should check out; I would go as far as to say non-fans may still appreciate the imaginative and original nature of the plot. The story is engaging and keeps you interested up until the end as you try to unravel the mystery beside the characters. The look and design of the film casts a lasting impression upon the viewer along with the thought-provoking themes and ideas. Although there are plenty of flaws that simply came with the territory back in the late '90s, nothing really hinders the appeal and greatness of the film as a whole. This is easily one of the most underrated movies out there.
Notable Moment:
Final Rating: 7.5/10
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