Unmet potential

Rating: 6/10 (5 November 1999)

Quite an engaging film with a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the final quarter of the film just seemed like such a huge let-down. It should have been exciting, but instead it just turned into absurdity. (granted, I had suspended belief long before that point... it just jarred me into the "yeah right" state of mind at the end)
Films like the Matrix have their share of plot holes (and then some)--but the Matrix is thoroughly entertaining throughout, if somewhat predictable.

Dark City's acting is not especially good and the characters are fairly unmemorable. The underlying premise is quite ingenious, but the plot seems to unravel at the end and tie things up a bit too easily. The "happily ever after" tone of the end definitely seemed uncalled for.

Dark City tries to be profound but just leaves you with the feeling of dissatisfaction at what could have been a great film.
(and no... I don't know how *I* would've ended it, either) :>