Metropolis / Dark City
Always loved the recurring themes in these two. The dystopian cityscape images, the unethical leaders, the inhabitants being 'slaves to time' and 'slaves against the machine', the mad scientists, the strive to be individual and human. Two good films in their own right.
I saw 'Dark City' (1998) was movie of the month on here a few years ago but it's roots and DNA were never really discussed I don't think. So for anyone who's not seen 'Metropolis' (1927), dig it out and wonder at it's amazing knack of inspiring so many other great films since. |
Re: Metropolis / Dark City
I love both of them, have them on my "all time" DVD shelf. I recall seeing Dark City when it was new in the theater and being blown away by all that noir-sci-fi-fantasy imagery, the strangeness of the plot and the nightmare quality of the movie. It was very obviously inspired by Metropolis, which pretty much set the visual tone for a lot of futuristic fantasy as well as some elements of the film noir look.
Metropolis was part of the source of the look for Dark City, but Dark City also added color and sound to all of that visual craziness, not to mention the whole space and alien creature aspect of the story. |
I wouldn't put Dark City anywhere on par with Metropolis (and its homage to the latter was not lost on me), but it is one of the best sci-fis of the 90s that deserves more attention. Those who have seen it tend to love it. A true cult classic.
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Originally Posted by Jinnistan (Post 2235569)
I wouldn't put Dark City anywhere on par with Metropolis (and its homage to the latter was not lost on me), but it is one of the best sci-fis of the 90s that deserves more attention. Those who have seen it tend to love it. A true cult classic.
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Originally Posted by skizzerflake (Post 2235664)
Music is often the emotional barometer of a movie so the live music really adds to the experience. It's one those things were, "if you ever get the chance"...don't miss it. I saw the silent Phantom of the Opera like that too and it was terrific.
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I finally saw Metropolis last year, after having it on my “must watch list” for well over a decades. I was given the restored version as a gift.
I was blown away. There are no words. Dark City is also a great film, despite Sutherland’s rather annoying speech pattern. A film I was lucky enough to see after it first came out, and was “in” on before it became a cult favorite. |
Re: Metropolis / Dark City
Metropolis is definitely the better film. However, I do love Dark City and consider it to be one of the best and underseen sci-fi films of the 1990's. In spite of some hammy acting here and there, the mystery and the ideas at the heart of the film definitely linger with you. Also, I've said this before, but I prefer Dark City over The Matrix by a decent margin.
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Re: Metropolis / Dark City
Dark City is my favorite film, I do love Metropolis and it's the better film but Dark City helped me discover so many of those older films by tracing it's influences so it kind of has an extra emotional and mental connection that puts it so high in my rankings.
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Originally Posted by Wyldesyde19 (Post 2235685)
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Dark City is also a great film, despite Sutherland’s rather annoying speech pattern. A film I was lucky enough to see after it first came out, and was “in” on before it became a cult favorite. |
Re: Metropolis / Dark City
They're like trains passing each other in opposite directions. Metropolis is trying to be futuristic, imaging what might be. Dark City is nostalgia-noir, looking back at what was (e.g., automats) in the art deco era when a diner would fit in a painting titled "Nighthawks." Jennifer Connelly is nice to look at, but Robot Maria knows how to party.
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I saw Dark City when it was released in 1998, a great film to see on the big screen - and I'm still wishing and hoping that Metropolis will show up in a cinema that re-releases old films, for that seems like it would be a great experience. I remember being pleased that Richard O'Brien showed up in Dark City - being a fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and similarly Jennifer Connelly.
Both films have a lot to say beyond the story on the surface. How many of us would be surprised if, when we die, we find that this has all been an illusion? Life is but a dream. I never realised how much they look alike, but @ScarletLion seems to have a great eye for those kinds of details. |
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