The Matrixis widely regarded as one of the most iconic science fiction films of all time, but its innovative concept was beaten to the punch a year earlier, praised by Robert Ebert as the better version.Released in 1999,The Matrixis something of a pop culture staple, inspiring an entireseries ofMatrixfilms.
Directed by the enigmatic Wachowski sisters,The Matrixtakes place in a dystopian future in which humanity has been subjugated by intelligent machines. To keep the human race in line, the machines keep the population trapped within the Matrix, an artificial reality closely monitored by sentient programs.
From there, the young hacker Neo is sought out by the resistance, a small cabal of humans who learn of the Matrix and escape to the real world, periodically going back in to fight back against the machines. As the series unfolds, Neo begins to step into the shoes of a prophesied hero, and learns some disturbing truths about the reality of the Matrix.
The Matrixput thefilms of the Wachowski sisterson the map while changing the landscape of science fiction forever. That being said,the concept of the Matrix wasn’t as original as some may think, as another film that came out a mere year earlier did the concept better according to famed movie critic Robert Ebert.
Roger Ebert Said Dark City Did What The Matrix Wanted To Do, But With More Feeling
Ebert Held No Reservations About Calling Dark City Superior
Dark Cityis a 1998neo-noir filmthat features heavy science fiction elements that slowly grow more apparent as the film continues. The film centers on an amnesiac man waking up with no memories, only to learn that he’s been accused of murder. As he attempts to clear his name, he has several run-ins with a mysterious group of figures called “The Strangers”.
Without spoiling the brilliant twist that makes the title ofDark Cityespecially apt, the film ends up taking place in a similarly fabricated reality toThe Matrix’s setting.Famed film critic Robert Ebert praisedDark City’s take on the idea in a retroactive 2005 review, calling it a stronger film thanThe Matrix.
[Dark City] did what ‘The Matrix’ wanted to do, earlier and with more feeling.
According to Ebert,Dark City"did what ‘The Matrix’ wanted to do, earlier and with more feeling", leveling special praise at the film’s more accentuated sense of humanity.Ebert makes special mention thatDark CityprecededThe Matrixby a yearand even filmed on some of the same locations, subtly implying that the Washowskis' magnum opus isn’t as original as it seems.
Which Is Really Better, Dark City Or The Matrix?
Both Films Have Their Own Unique Appeal
In truth,there are some thingsDark Citydoes do better thanThe Matrix.The performances are far superior, with the sweaty, nervous inhabitants of the titular city squirming their way through the gorgeous set design, all driven by the terrifying and enigmatic Strangers, who serve as a far more compelling villain than Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith.
That being said, it’s easy to see whyThe Matrixwent on to become an iconic film whileDark Citylanguished in obscurity, with somehow a less bleak tone, a more compelling science fiction world, and one of the tightestcinematic hero’s journeysever conceived.
77%
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Personally, I agree with Ebert’s assessment thatDark Cityis the stronger of the two, being a far richer tapestry laden with meaning and poignant questions on human nature that came up with the false reality idea first.However,there’s no denying thatThe Matrixhas a powerful appeal as a blockbuster action masterpiecethat dips its toes into similar philosophical waters.
The Matrix
Cast
The Matrix, released in 1999, is set in the 22nd century and follows a computer hacker, Neo, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. He joins a group of underground insurgents led by Morpheus to combat the domineering computers that control the earth, in a battle that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.
Dark City
Dark City follows a man grappling with lost memories in a sunless, dystopian world. As beings with telekinetic powers manipulate the city’s inhabitants, he embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his past and the mysterious forces controlling their reality.
