Gattaca(1997) -VS- Dark City(1998)

[Hindustani]

Which One is Better? Why?

[Dark City Denizen]

You really can’t go wrong with either choice - two films that followed heavily in the footsteps of Blade Runner, & did it better than Blade Runner.

Unsurprisingly, I’m going with my favourite film of all-time, Dark City. I appreciate it a little more because of the extra work it makes you put in - the film is a puzzle piece that never cheats, & rewards richly those who have the requisite patience & curiosity. Gattaca is a lot more straight-forward as a story, albeit with very big ideas & themes. If I had to pick one major weakness of each film, it’s probably that Dark City has some visual sequences that do not convince, to say the least. A few look atrocious. It’s just here & there, though, not the whole film. With Gattaca, the film is visually flawless, but the key story element doesn’t make a lot of sense if I’m honest. You don’t need a Eugenics Program of the fictional future to bar someone with a heart condition from becoming an astronaut, that would happen now, & would not be outrageous discrimination, but rather completely common sense.

These issues aside there’s really nothing else to complain about. I’ll take Dark City for its more challenging story, but you can’t go wrong. That reverse shot from Irenes apartment of the green-tinted waves flowing over the shoreline in Gattaca is something I could watch hypnotically for days.

[Cremildo]

Gattaca A-
Dark City B-

[Al_The_Strange]

Both are decent sci-fi gems.

I find Dark City a grade more rewatchable (so it gets my vote). Probably because of the mystery involved with the story. I also appreciate the unique production design and SFX work, it's all quite imaginative and unique despite the film noir throwbacks.

Gattaca is a dang strong film with good characters, an interesting concept, and strong cinematography. I seem to remember losing some interest after the halfway point for some reason. And for me, it doesn't beg for a rewatch nearly as often.

[Hindustani]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Both are decent sci-fi gems.

I find Dark City a grade more rewatchable (so it gets my vote). Probably because of the mystery involved with the story. I also appreciate the unique production design and SFX work, it's all quite imaginative and unique despite the film noir throwbacks.

Ebert's glowing review of DARK CITY calls it, a perfect masterpiece and compares it to METROPOLIS. Now thats a lofty comparison if you ask me bypassing even BLADE RUNNER.

I just wish I was old enough in 1998 when I saw it in SDDS sound back than. I recall getting confused. I've never seen it again. love to see this one in 4K.

[DR Herbert West]

Gattaca

[Cruel Angel]

I like em both, but prefer Dark City

[kylor]

Dark City.

[Gacivory]

Gattaca

[pab1219]

Gattaca

[drush9999]

This was an actual tough one, went with Gattaca, but Dark City is fantastic too.

[Dark City Denizen]

Originally Posted by drush9999

This was an actual tough one, went with Gattaca, but Dark City is fantastic too.

Watched Gattaca last night. It’s a mesmerisingly wonder of a film. Getting more terrifying by the day, though.

[originalHDphantom]

Both excellent, but ultimately went with Dark City.

[formula_nebula]

Originally Posted by originalHDphantom

Both excellent, but ultimately went with Dark City.

Same!