An intelligent sci-fi thriller

Rating: 7/10 (21 December 2008)

"Dark City" is a sci-fi thriller set in a neo-noir environment. The Strangers, beings with telekinetic abilities, treat human beings like laboratory mice, endlessly testing to see what makes them tick. However, when one human being demonstrates abilities similar to their own he becomes their prime target.
The cast is a pretty decent one although it doesn't really have a big name attached. Jennifer Connelly was still a few years away from her Oscar win and Keifer Sutherland hadn't yet been rescued from obscurity by his role in "24". Nevertheless, they show themselves to be capable actors, as do Rufus Sewell & William Hurt.
The story & setting bear resemblance to certain other sci-fi films though they retain a sense of originality. The film hurtles along for the most part and lets the viewer piece together the mystery from the clues as they are presented.
Alex Proyas's direction is well-handled and the neo-noir cinematography is quite appealing. The special effects are decent but certainly not comparable to today's best efforts. I can't really recall anything specific about the score, which suggests that it was average; neither good nor bad.
All in all, this film should be of interest to sci-fi fans. It's not quite on the same level as the greats of the genre but it's a worthwhile diamond in the rough.