Dark City

Details

John Murdoch awakens alone in a grim hotel room with no memory of who he is or how he arrived there. The situation becomes even more alarming when he discovers the body of a murdered woman nearby and learns that the police are searching for him as the prime suspect in a series of brutal killings.

Confused and frightened, Murdoch flees into the dark streets of the city while trying to piece together fragments of his past. His search leads him to a mysterious man, Dr. Daniel Paul Schreber, who claims to know the truth behind Murdoch's strange condition. According to Schreber, powerful beings known as "The Strangers" are responsible for the bizarre events unfolding around him.

Every night at midnight the city seems to fall asleep, time stops and the world itself begins to change. Buildings shift, identities are altered and entire lives are rewritten as The Strangers experiment on the inhabitants of the city. Murdoch soon realises that he is somehow different from everyone else - and that he may possess the same mysterious powers that allow The Strangers to manipulate reality itself.

As Murdoch searches for answers he is pursued not only by the police but also by the eerie pale figures who control the city from the shadows. With the help of Schreber and a few reluctant allies, Murdoch begins to uncover the terrifying truth behind the city, The Strangers and his own role in their strange experiment.

Picture & Sound

The very dark visual style of the film presents a difficult challenge, but the DVD transfer handles it extremely well. The gloomy streets, deep shadows and constantly shifting cityscape are reproduced with excellent clarity and solid black levels. Given how visually dark the film is, it would have been very easy for the image to collapse into a murky mess, but fortunately the transfer remains sharp and detailed throughout. I'm certain the old laserdisc and video versions would struggle to match this presentation.

The sound is a bit of a disappointment. There was a great opportunity to really make use of the surround channels, especially during the eerie nightly "tuning" sequences when the city is literally being reshaped. Unfortunately the soundtrack feels somewhat restrained and doesn't quite deliver the immersive experience the film's visuals suggest. Perhaps budget constraints led to a bit of corner cutting in the sound department, which is a shame.

Overall

Director Alex Proyas, previously responsible for The Crow, once again demonstrates his flair for dark and stylised filmmaking. The rain-soaked streets, towering architecture and ever-present shadows give the film a unique and oppressive atmosphere that perfectly matches its strange story.

The film clearly draws inspiration from classic science fiction and film noir. Comparisons with Fritz Lang's Metropolis are easy to make, particularly in the design of the city and its towering structures, whilst the mystery surrounding Murdoch's identity keeps the plot ticking along at a steady pace.

Although the story can become a little confusing at times, Dark City is an imaginative and visually striking piece of science fiction. It may not have achieved the same mainstream success as some of its contemporaries, but its unusual premise and distinctive style make it well worth seeking out.

Special features

• Audio commentary from Film Critic Roger Ebert
• Audio commentary from Director, Writers, Director of Photography and Production Designer
• Cast and Crew Biographies
• Comparisons to Fritz Lang's Metropolis
• "Find Shell Beach" Interactive Game
• Star Highlights
• Set Designs
• Theatrical Trailer