June 22, 2025

Revisiting DARK CITY in 4K


DARK CITY Limited Edition (4K UHD)
1998 / 111 & 100 min (2 versions)
Review by Princess Pepper😺

Though The Crow remains director Alex Proya’s biggest, most revered film, it ain’t his best. For this writer, that would be Knowing, though I realize I’m in the extreme minority in that opinion. Running a close second is 1998’s Dark City, which flopped when first released but has since become a deserved cult classic. 

But I’ll certainly acknowledge that, if not Proyas’ best film, it is his most creative, both visually and narratively. One would have to go all the way back to 1982’s Blade Runner for a science-fiction film that creates such an eye-popping world from scratch. Here and there, influences of previous films are certainly present, including Metropolis, Blade Runner, Proyas’ own The Crow and the film noir classic of your choice. But it’s what the director and his team do with those influences that create such an aesthetically imaginative experience...one long overdue for the 4K treatment.


And speaking of film noir…if you were to strip away the sci-fi concept, Dark City’s story is pure noir, with its protagonist, John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), waking up with no memory of his past, but suspected by hardnosed detective Frank Bumstead (William Hurt) of brutally murdering several prostitutes. Of course, we believe he’s innocent (otherwise, no movie), as does his estranged wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly), but John’s mostly on his own to figure out the significance of a postcard from Shell Beach (his only initial clue) while eluding both Bumstead and the mysterious ‘Strangers’ pursuing him.


However, it’s the sci-fi elements that make Dark City memorable. John discovers he possesses the same telekinetic ability as the Strangers…to manipulate and alter his surrounding environment. Much of this (and the unfolding plot in general) is explained by eccentric doctor Daniel Schreber (a miscast Keifer Sutherland), who sometimes appears to be in league with the Strangers.


"I wish I knew what time it was."
As someone who believes there's no statute of limitations on spoilers, I’m refraining from explaining the story in too much more detail because the less one knows about the film going in, the more enjoyable its surprises are. I will say - with hindsight - that Dark City’s conceptual influence on later, much bigger mindbenders like The Matrix and Inception is pretty obvious. One minor quip might be that too many of the revelations are offered through exposition, though that aspect is partially remedied with the director’s cut, which is included in this set and removes the superfluous opening narration.

I guess the biggest reason that Dark City falls just short of Knowing in Alex Proyas’ filmography (what’s wrong with this guy?) is a comparative lack of character development. Given the nature of the story, perhaps that's unavoidable, but it does make it difficult to be truly invested in these characters. Still, Dark City remains a wonderful film just to look at, with a compelling narrative to keep things interesting. 


For its 4K release, Arrow Video has put together a great set. The original and director’s cuts are included on separate discs, both with excellent restorations and three audio options (Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1, Stereo 2.0). Better yet are the abundance of bonus features, including an all new retrospective documentary. 


EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.

THEATRICAL & DIRECTOR’S CUTS

RETURN TO DARK CITY is a brand new retrospective documentary featuring writer-director Alex Proyas, actor Rufus Sewell and a big batch of guys responsible for special effects, production design, costuming, etc. Easily the best of the bonus features.

2 VISUAL ESSAYS - I’m as Much in the Dark as You Are; Rats in a Maze.

FEATURETTES (from 2008) - Memories of Shell Beach features interviews with cast & crew; Architecture of Dreams features looks at the film’s themes.

AUDIO COMMENTARIES - Director’s Cut: 1) by writer-director Alex Proyas (NEW); 2) by podcasters Craig Anderson, Bruce & Herschel Isaacs (NEW); 3) by writer-director Alex Proyas; 4) by Roger Ebert (who loved this film); 5) by co-writers Lem Dobbs & David S. Goyer. Theatrical Cut: by Proyas, Dobbs, Goyer, cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, production designer Patrick Tatopoulos.

INTRODUCTION BY ALEX PROYAS - Director’s cut only.

DESIGN & STORYBOARDS

TRAILER

IMAGE GALLERY


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