Dark City: Directors CutStaring: RUFUS SEWELL, KIEFER SUTHERLAND, JENNIFER CONNELLY, IAN RICHARDSON, RICHARD O’BRIEN, AND WILLIAM HURT.
Directed By: ALEX PROYAS.
<VERY MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD>
The Dark City Directors Cut, is a totally re-edited film that includes over 11 min of additional footage. There are a few new scenes that were obvious however the entire film has been re-edited by director Alex Proyas, and unlike the recent new Waterworld cut, this is not the TV version. The image quality is staggering as the remastered print looks amazing compared to the original. Its almost like comparing VHS to DVD, its that good!!! The new cut delivers a more mysterious take on the intentions of The Strangers. The opening narration, that all but gave away the plot in the original film has been removed. For new viewers of the film this will add a new twist on just who or what The Strangers are. Small cuts in dialog are also noticeable, as the music score has also been altered. Upon my first impression of Dark City I was instantly reminded of The Matrix, the look and colors are right out of the machine world, there are other striking similarities as well.
Originally released in 1998 , (a year before The Matrix btw), Dark City is the story of John Murdock (Rufus Sewell) , as he awakes with his memory erased, in a hotel room with a dead call girl. The enigmatic Dr Schreber (Keifer Sutherland), wants to help him as he calls, and tells him to leave immediately. John escapes just as the Strangers come looking for him. The Strangers, are pale looking freakish men (no women) in black, that have psychokinetic powers.
The police eventually come into the scene as Detective Frank Bumstead (William Hurt), has been hot on the trail of the killer, that has now killed six prostitutes. Fearing that her husband is going to be arrested for the murders Emma Murdock (Jennifer Connelly), attempts to convince detective Bumstead that he’s not the killer.
As Murdock slowly begins to remember fragments of his youth spent at Shell Beach, he’s confronted by the Strangers. They try to capture him, however quickly realize he now has the same psychokinetic powers they do.
If I cover more plot details the story will become clear, as the new cut takes away the obvious and creates a new aura of mystery to the film. As I re watched the original cut I couldn’t help but notice it seemed rushed. In reviewing the “Directors Cut” , I watched the movie at least 3 times, every time I found myself enjoying it more and more..The Directors Cut of Dark City, is a superior film in every way. If you were a fan of the original, this new version will blow you away!
The DVD has 3 commentaries including one by film critic Roger Ebert, it also contains new bonus features, and 80 new photos.
Run time: 111min.