When "The Crow" was released, I thought that it was a really good movie, not so much because of the story, but because of the world that it's director, Alex Proyas, created. I think I can say the same thing about "Dark City," his new movie. The visuals in "Dark City" are stunning. It surpasses "The Crow" as far as being eye-catching. Actually, it may be the most eye-catching movie I've ever seen.
The script was pretty well-written, but I had a hard time figuring out some of the small points. That probably had more to do with the fact that I made the mistake of seeing the movie at night while I was surrounded by giggling chatterbox assholes. WHAT'S WITH YOU PEOPLE?!?! I addressed this in my "Commentary" section, if you would like to read it. Wait, where was I? Oh yeah. The script was written by Alex Proyas (the director), Lem Dobbs (writer of "Kafka"), and David S. Goyer (the guy who wrote the horrible sequel to "The Crow," "Kickboxer II," and the upcoming Marvel Comics movie, "Blade") from a story by Proyas. I may have to watch it again to better understand the story.
The acting was okay, I guess. Rufus Sewell was fine, but no big deal. William Hurt was good, but he's a great actor in a simple role. Kiefer Sutherland was pretty annoying, but it may not have been his fault. It's possible that Alex Proyas had him do what he did. His character spoke in a strange "blah-blah-(pause)-blah-blah-(pause)" pattern. As for Jennifer Connelly, she had the emotional range of a tree stump. Again, that may have been how she was directed to act, I don't know. She DID look hot, though.
Hey, want some interesting pieces of trivia? Alex Proyas got his start directing commercials and music videos, but his first feature film was in 1989, and it was called, "Spirits of the Air, Gremlins of the Clouds." It was a movie that he also wrote. Don't bother looking for it in (EVIL) "Blockbuster Video," though. It was released only in Australia. Also, in 1984 he wrote the music for "A Girl's Own Story, " a short film written and directed by Jane Campion who went on to write and direct "The Piano" which won her an Oscar for "Best Original Screenplay."
I enjoyed
the movie, but the writing wasn't as tight as it could have been. However,
it's the visual appeal that does it. Alex Proyas is quite a visionary, and
he's got a lotta talent. But someone's gotta tell the poor guy to lighten
up.