Memory can be a tricky thing, and many films have explored forgotten memories through amnesiac characters. From Momento to Finding Dory and Total Recall, the trick of the mind has been a useful narrative device. While the dissonance between reality and illusion may be well-trodden, in 1998's Dark City, famed director and writer Alex Proyas took the idea in a different direction.

Dark City tells the story of John Murdoch who wakes up in a bathtub with no memory. Disorientated, Murdoch stumbles through the unnamed city in which he lives, which is mysteriously always dark, while being tracked by a mysterious group of otherworldly men and a doctor who seems to have answers to what happened to him before the bathtub. As Murdoch encounters more people from his life the truth becomes clearer, and the mysterious and dark nature of the city he lives in comes into focus with troubling effects.

The first thing to say about Dark City is the startling, unique aesthetic. There are hints of the kind of imagery Proyas presented in The Crow, with a retro but apocalyptic vibe. The buildings, the fixtures, the vehicles and the clothes all scream 1950s but the technology says otherwise which gives the whole thing a dream-like, otherworldly vibe. It feels sprawling yet deserted and has a dilapidated energy that's difficult to quantify. In essence, the city becomes a character in itself which really gives the film a unique flavour. Sadly, the Blu-ray release doesn't really crystalize or amplify that aesthetic in any real way, and it feels a bit like a DVD port, but equally that adds a dingy quality that is certainly in keeping with the overall tenor of Dark City.

There are some really big names in Dark City, which naturally yields some impressive acting performances. Rufus Sewell is convincing and mesmerising as Murdoch, while Keifer Sutherland hams it up as the crazed Dr. Schreber. Richard O'Brien has a touch of the Riff Raff about him, but played in a darker more sister fashion. Jennifer Connolly is magnetic as the bombshell-come-love interest Emma/Anna, while William Hurt's straight laced performance helps to ground things in a film where the sci-fi elements and big turns could have derailed things.

While Dark City looks great, and the acting is top notch, unfortunately the story seems a little lopsided. The pacing is inconsistent and the plot is a bit muddy, which at points makes the film a tad disjointed. Tonally it veers from film noir to science fiction, but those shifts are too pronounced which is jarring and distracting, The whole thing doesn't flow as well as you might hope and as a result Dark City doesn't quite fulfill the promise of its premise or its aesthetic despite those superb performances from its cast.

2-Disc 4K Ultra HD limited Edition contents

Brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negatives approved by director of photography Dariusz Wolski
4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentations of both the Director's Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original DTS-HD MA 5.1, stereo 2.0 and new Dolby Atmos audio options for both cuts of the film
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
60-page perfect bound collectors book featuring new writing by author Richard Kadrey, and film critics Sabina Stent, Virat Nehru and Martyn Pedler
Limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Doug John Miller
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Doug John Miller
Three postcard-sized reproduction art cards
Postcard from Shell Beach
Dr Schreber business card
Disc one: Director's Cut, commentaries and additional documentary features.
Disc two: Theatrical Cut, commentaries and additional documentary features.