by Matt Lynch
So often, I walk into a movie theatre expecting the worst. Maybe a line here, a well choreographed scene there, and a neat special effect or two, is all I hope for. Once in a great while a movie grabs me by my imagination and weaves a story that has me enrapt until the credits roll. This is what keeps me going to the movies each week in spite of all the dissapointments.
Dark City is a somber fairy tale in the tradition of the Brothers Grim. Not for the light-hearted or children. It weaves a spellbinding tale of identity, trust, and the human spirit that stears clear of any of the trite sugar coated themes that make up the leviathan that is hollywood. There is no simple plot that can be deduced in the first few momments, rather a string of events that slowly begins to shape into an interconnected whole.
The sets are the finest in gothic eye candy. Immense concrete pillers rising out a fog enshroud streets, with plenty of oppresiveness to spare. The special effects are well above par and used to further to plot instead of simply as an end to themselves, a great relief after the rash of films bursting with computer animation but with no soul.
MAIN CHARACTER's wild eyed frenzied appoach to his character draws you in with the intensity of his performance. William Hurt is as dry as ever, but his usual weariness suits the nature of this film well. My biggest acting complaint is Keifer Sutherland, he has shown again and again that genetics alone does not make a good actor. In spite of how much screen time he gets, he will never reach his father's caliber.
I cannot reccomend this movie enough. After a long winter of garbage it's about time.