Rating: 
Summary: Film of the Decade
Review: Where was this movie released? Literally this is one film that you have to have in your library. When your grandchildren are talking about what created cinema from this decade they will mention this film. It's in a class with Citizen Cane. That may seem high praise, but it is very difficult to find anything wrong with this film other than the fact that it wasn't widely released. That's probably because this isn't a simple movie. You can enjoy the graphics. The story line is strong. But as Roger Ebert says in the first line of his commentary track that runs the length of the entire film, it is "Visionary". If there is a single transcendental film for this era, this is it. Others may win Academy awards, but this film will be remembered in the future as what film art can be.
Rating:
Summary: Sam Spade to Huxley
Review: Despite the hype that came in the packaging, this is a work of art. Art, which inevitably has its failings, does not fail to inspire, intrigue, and question. Dark City does all of this well, drawing on those same assumptions of reality we all have to create the tension that makes the message all the more striking. As a cinematic creation, this is a work that deserves study, paying tribute to all that came before and deriving a new genre as a result. This is a movie about logic, logic in perception, in expectation, and in conclusion. For those of us who are fans of Bogart, the Black Dahlia, British depression, Hellraiser, and Roger Rabbit, this is the culmination of all of our obsessions. I'm not usually surprised or impressed. I was both.
Rating:
Summary: "Dark City" is a monolithic achievement.
Review: "Dark City" is a triumph--more than that, it is some kind of permanent imprint in conventional science fiction cinema. Here is a movie that surpasses the "Star Trek" films, and at least stands alongside "Star Wars". Watching the movie, even after repeated viewings, is like climbing inside the filmmakers' imaginations, watching them play. What is so amazing is that Hollywood would have taken a script like this and dumbed it down by reducing it into a series of shootouts and nondescript special effects sequences used as padding. But the imagination here, replete with visionary ideas about perception and the toy that is our memory, puts "Dark City" on a personal list. It would almost have to take an Australian crew and British actors to do director Alex Proyas' vision justice. Rufus Sewell, with more than a passing resemblance to the late Brandon Lee (of Proyas' "The Crow"), is perfect in the role, displaying the perfect model of restraint, poignance, and intelligence. The film's enemies, known as the Strangers, are a perfect vision, straight out of one of our nightmares. They are too human-looking to be alien, but too alien to be of any nocturnal comfort. They are a part of a truly scary notion, miles beyond the aliens in "Independence Day". After all, they come with smiles. These elements (really, mere tips of Proyas' iceberg), and others compressed into the film's 100 minutes, come together seamlessly to create one of the great aesthetic and cinematically cerebral achievements.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Sci-Fi Experience
Review: This movie gives Blade Runner a run for its money as the greatest film I've ever seen. Don't be fooled by the promotions that make it look like the second coming of The Crow. This isn't a comic book movie, it's a sci-fi classic. The production of Dark City is without peer. It's visually astounding. The sets, effects, costumes, and cinematography work beautifully. This is a movie that has amazing special effects, but doesn't make the movie subserviant to them, but rather makes great use of them to advance the plot. The casting and acting is likewise wonderful. The story really keeps you guessing for the first half of the movie. As much fun as it is with repeated viewing the effect of watching it unfold for the first time is truly spectacular. You start out wondering what kind of silliness you've gotten yourself into, but as it progresses you'll be amazed. On one level the line about the human soul seems trivial and isn't dealt with as much as it should be, but it does raise some important and intriguing issues. The soundtrack and effects are excellent. Overall a great experience that everyone should have. I found the Roger Ebert commentary very interesting.
Rating:
Summary: An Exquisite Visual Experience
Review: If you loved Blade Runner you will love Dark City. It is destined to become another "cult movie" to be watched and revered for years to come. As usual the American audiences ignored it as they do with most foreign films, this movie is a jewel of cinematography, set design, lighting, and special effects. The metamorphosis of the city alone is worth the price of the ticket. You should however see the movie on the big screen first, for NTSC video will never be able to keep up with the quality of a theatrical release. Then buy the DVD with for its commentaries and soundtracks, and the kicker is, if you like, you get to listen to the actors speaking the dialogue in French! If you watch the movie using the French audio instead of the English track, for some reason, the movie acquires an even higher level of sophistication, unbelievable. And the quality of the French dub is impeccable. D.C.
Rating: 
Summary: A Feast for Your Eyes Only
Review: Other reviewers have described _Dark City_ as visually stunning, and I agree. In the DVD format especially, this movie is gorgeous. In addition to sets, costuming, makeup, and artwork generally, the director paid a great deal of attention to the lighting of this film. It shows. But this movie's great strength is also its great weakness. Those blessed with visual expressiveness (such as _Dark City_ writer/director/producer Alex Proyas and production designer Patrick Tatopoulous) often neglect other aspects of understanding and communicating. In this case, the cost of emphasizing the visual was the story. Calling this _film noir_ is no excuse for not paying attention to plot. Minimal dialogue and action are very different from shallow dialogue and action for action's sake, both of which this movie suffers from in places. Events appear to be made up on the spot to explain desired visual shots. An example is the story's emphasis on both the detective and the suspect. Focusing on either would have worked; instead, we get the impression that the story was first written about the detective, then the suspect's character "took over," but the writers couldn't bring themselves to abandon the detective. (This is an occupational hazard all writers face.) And yet, in the end the energetic power of Proyas's vision prevents the weak plot from being a fatal flaw. _Dark City_ was expressed as a visual experience, not as classic literature. If you're not a "visual" person; if you demand plot and dialogue and deep character interaction, then this film may leave you wondering, "What was the point?" But if you can set aside those requirements and let yourself be swept along by the force of Alex Proyas's visualization, you may never be able to forget _Dark City_.
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Summary: This is the new standard for science fiction movies.
Review: I have now watched several sci-fi DVDs and have put this at the top of my list. The movie is a great sci-fi mystery that is full of surprises and unbelieveable scenes. The DVD has many extras that enhance the movie. If you have a DVD, you must buy this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie for the mind-bending SCIFI fan.
Review: If you're looking for a nice romantic comedy, stop reading here. This movie is great for people who like to think, in abstract ways, about who we are vs. who we think we are. How much do we really know? How can we be sure of so many of the things we take for granted? If you like stretching your mind, get this movie. If not, move on to Titanic.
Rating:
Summary: Sci-fi Classic
Review: When i first saw Dark city,my first thought after watching was one word:Classic,It reminded me of such films as blade runner,the acting was excellent,the sets gothic and the story surprising in that it holds your attention throughout.in my opinon it will stand the test of time.
Rating:
Summary: This Movie is Great!
Review: I love this movie. It tries to answer difficult questions about the human mind and soul. The special effects are spectacular. One thing good is that it is not a special effects movie. It has a great plot and the special effects really add to it. It is one of my favorite movie! The DVD version is even better with perfect picture quality! END
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