Truly a work of genius...

Rating: 10/10 (28 March 2003)

John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), an amnesiac who can't remember his wife, ends up in a city with no sunshine controlled by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans in what is by far one of the most stylish sci-fi movies ever made.
A clever combination of sci-fi, suspense, and film-noir, "Dark City" is an intellectual mind-bender that truly defines the art of filmmaking.
In the bleak, urban setting, John Murdoch wanders the nightmarish city to try and remember his past and what he left behind. His wife, Emma, played by the lovely Jennifer Connelly, shines as a ballroom singer struggling with a husband that doesn't remember her.
William Hurt plays Frank Bumstead, the workaholic detective obsessed with solving a case that may or may not involve John Murdoch. And Kiefer Sutherland plays Dr. Daniel Shreber, John's mentor with a truly eccentric personality as he continually makes two- or three-worded phrases to make a point.
Director Alex Proyas ("The Crow") manages this dark and unique sci-fi film in such a way that it actually stirs the viewer's imagination. Proyas' artistic genius is really shown in this film, as we are constantly showered with the combination of sci-fi and film-noir visuals that have never even been attempted in a movie.
Definately an alternative film, "Dark City," is for artists and general movie-goers alike. Its mind-bending story and bleak, yet colorful, sets will continue to be more unique than anything I've (or we've) ever seen before, or will see again. I doubt there will ever be a movie as imaginative as "Dark City." A+