Extraordinary - Highly recommended

Rating: 10/10 (6 June 2005)

There have been many movies based on comics: Superman, and Batman preceded "Sin City" by 20-30 years, and there's the current rash of Marvel offerings. M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable" is a near comic book characterization. Until now, perhaps "Dark City" is the closest to come to an actual comic. Based on Frank Miller's "graphic novels" (OK, "comic books"), this is the first movie that has the power, the look, and the feel of a comic book. Other posters will post a point-by-point plot of this movie, and it's not necessary to do so. This is a graphically violent film, with some very disturbing images - there are also also many laugh out loud scenes. Be forewarned: this is not a "date" movie, and certainly not appropriate fare for children.
Three stories are intertwined, juxtapositioning time and space just enough to keep you out of step. Scenes include 50's autos and plastic garbage bags, compressing time by 20 years. Perhaps it's a method to indicate that sin transcends time and space, race and age. Is it any coincidence that several of the major actors look like actors from other movies? Powers Booth reminded me of Gregory Peck in "Boys from Brazil". Rutger Hauer does a turn of Marlon Brando in "Apocalypse Now". With his cartoonish physique, angular face, and haircut, Mickey Rourke looks all the world as Kirk Douglas in "Spartacus".
The DVD will undoubtedly allow the directors a chance to discuss their individual and collective visions, and that will be a treat. The plot twists are sufficient to provide material for at least one sequel, and I can't wait.