Reviews

As everyone else has said, Equilibrium is derivative. 1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451 - it's all in there.

But that doesn't really tell you why this is so awful. To boil it down, this film is about a superhero ninja with guns saving the world from soulless lefties who want to take away your snow globes lest they cause you to have feelings and start wars. It is preposterous, ridiculous and utterly unbelievable.

Seriously, this film criticizes hate crime laws and suggests that they are a slippery slope toward a totalitarian society that bans feelings.

To summarize: wretched libertarian tripe.

Dark City is visually stunning, immersive, and stylishly shot. It could be described as a modern SF film noir.

The performances are adequate, with the exception of Kiefer Sutherland. His hammy portrayal of a mad scientist is straight out of a 50s B-movie.

Most of the film's lasting popularity can be attributed, I think, to its themes and the questions it raises. Unfortunately it does more than just raise certain questions. It states that there is an answer to one big question (what is it that makes humans special, and differentiates us from the soulless villains in the movie?) and Proyas' answer pretty much ruined the film for me. Please save the proselytizing for Sunday School, Mr. Proyas.