Matrix's influence on cinema is undeniable. But I always found the movie crap. The sequels are just unbearable.

Dark City for me. Its one of my favourite movies. His other movie The Crow is probably my favourite CBM movie. Its a shame Proyas lost his touch.

I watched the Matrix again just a couple of weeks ago. I have to say that I liked it more this time. For whatever reason, I wasn't as into it when it was new and couldn't see what all of the hype was about. But when I saw it recently, I can see that it is actually a really well made film. (The two sequels are not nearly as good though.)

I've never even heard of Dark City. I guess I'll have to check it out.

curl, I love you. Thank you for this thread :)

Dark City is one of my favorite movies. It's a sci-fi masterpiece, as far as I'm concerned. The Matrix is a really interesting, stylish, provocative movie, but I was never able to connect with it. So, Dark City for me.

I think The Matrix ended up using some sets from Dark City, if I'm not mistaken?

Dark City is the best film. Has substance and good acting.
Matrix is style and effects before anything else. And the "revived with the power of love " scene is like a Disney movie.

I always loved Dark City and was meh on Matrix. I have to admit though, that may have to do with my preferences in genre. Matrix gets over it's setting and premise fast to become an action movie, while uncovering the truth is the main driving force of Dark City throughout most of the movie. So this is mostly an action movie vs. a Film noir, and I always prefer Film noir. While I do enjoy a good action scene, I love uncovering a cool mystery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moW17YHl6B8&ab_channel=ClaraDarko

EDIT: BTW, thanks for the inspiration to rewatch Dark City again this evening. It was a long time since I watched it last.

Lovecraft? None of these movies really have to do with Lovecraft novels. Maybe you refer to the dark tones, but that is something not exclusive to Lovecraft. Lovecraft was a master of supernatural horror, none of these movies falls into this category.

Dark City, One of my favourite films of all time. I always try and spread word about how great it is since it always annoys me when people say they have never heard of it.

The Matrix was spectacular when it came out, but it's mostly the action scenes that define the movie. The 'story' parts are actually quite boring and drawn out. Dark city keeps me clustered to the screen for the whole movie. The atmosphere is perfect and every time I watch it I notice more details. The Matrix is the opposite and when I watch that I just feel like fast forwarding to the helicopter scene etc.

Anyway now Keanu Reeves is spoiled by CP2077, The Matrix is out. The sequels were the coffin, CP2077 added the nails. Matrix is done.

Voting for the one that people actually know. You can't overstate the massive impact The Matrix had on pop culture, regardless of how "good" the movie was.

I saw Dark City ages ago but can't remember much of it, so I guess that answers that.

I'd go even further and say The Matrix I would say is the best big budget Hollywood movie of the last 20+ years. Yup I said it. The only other thing I'd put in that class is the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a whole, but the Matrix is a wholly original IP whereas LOTR obviously had the massive benefit of a book to outline the entire world and story.

Quentin Tarantino has even said The Matrix is among the 10 best movie Hollywood has made since he started directing (1992) though he really hated the sequels lol. Battle Royale (the Japanese film) is no.1 for him. He said The Matrix was no.2 to that but he docked it points because of the sequels, lol, which I don't think is fair but it does tell you something when he considered it the no.2 movie from 92-modern day. 

Never even heard of Dark City but if it's similar to the Matrix (and even more philosophical from what I gather), I guess I'll have to add that to my watchlist.