Interesting premise, weak execution

Rating: Null/10 (5 January 2018)

SPOILERS!
Humans were abducted by aliens, put in a simulation, implanted with memories. The Matrix-like premise was interesting, the execution was however weak. It is too short, providing not enough backstory, paced strangely, it has a susprinsingly anti-climatic third act and looks cheap like a TV movie.
The backgrounds of the dark city are actually quite atmospheric, film-noir-ish and reminded me a lot of Burton's Batman, which came out almost ten years prior. The special effects look adequate for 1998. So, why does this movie looks so cheap?
It's the editing! An extremely bad example can be found about one hour into the movie, in a scene where Murdoch and Inspector Frank Bumstead are sitting down and talking. Murdoch demonstrates Bumstead that nobody can remember how to get to Shell Beach and that the sun has not been shining ever, suggesting that something weird is going on. Then he levitates something in front of his eyes. This should be a mindblowing moment but there is no suspense at all. The camera is jumping between two camera settings (shot and reverse shot) - literally every two to four seconds there is a switch. Meanwhile the score is droning on in the background - never mind the images or dialogue. Seriously, did a robot edit this? No chemistry between actors and wasting potentially good characters does the rest.
I would have to say it comes down to a lack of vision from the director. Imagine Terry Gilliam making this movie!