Compared to the critics' profound reflections, the audience's thoughts were simpler. The scene on the ferry brought enough hope to the otherwise dark and oppressive film, showing that even under the magician's pressure to break their limits, humanity still shone brightly and didn't completely degrade into a bunch of scoundrels.
"Did you see that? Did you see that?"
In a theater in Shreveport, Louisiana, a black boy couldn't help but exclaim, "It was a black man who saved the world! It was a black man who brought hope! It was a black man who showed the nobility of human nature!"
His voice grew louder, "It's the black man! Black people are the saviors of this world!"
"Yes! Yes!"
Voices of agreement echoed around him, "Black people are the saviors!"
"Black people are the best!"
"Black people are awesome!"
"Black people have the most humanity!"
"Black people should be the protagonists of all Hollywood movies!"
An unknown black man started clapping first, and other excited black people stood up and applauded as well. They not only clapped for this part of the film but also shouted various cheers so loudly that it almost drowned out the movie's sound.
"We should support this film that highly praises black people!"
In past Hollywood commercial films, black characters were almost always used for comic relief, even including Will Smith. Seeing such a just and angelic black character, many black audience members were instantly thrilled.
"I'll bring my family to see this again!"
"I'll drag my classmates and friends to watch it too!"
The theater turned into a noisy market, making some non-black audience members very displeased.
Although Shreveport, Louisiana, was one of the most racially discriminatory cities in the U.S., segregation in theaters had long been abolished. While black people made up the majority in the theater, there were still many other audience members.
Once the black audience members got excited, they were hard to control. Their voices grew louder, and their cheers turned into a ruckus.
"F@#..."
Some non-black audience members couldn't help but curse softly, but the black audience members didn't stop. Some even stood up in their seats and the aisles, dancing hip-hop to the film's grand music.
"Let's go, let's go…" The other audience members couldn't bear it any longer. "Let's find another theater and stand if we have to."
The film was nearing its final phase. Jay Rachel, using a gun, killed those who had kidnapped her. Then, she kidnapped Detective Lynch's wife and children to lure him. Just as she was about to shoot, Chris Dane, cloaked in black, arrived in time to save Lynch and his children. In the rescue process, he and Jay Rachel fell to a lower level of the warehouse.
The fallen Jay Rachel could no longer turn back; the light knight of New York City was no more.
At this point, Chris Dane fully realized he had utterly lost the soul of New York City to the magician!
Jay Rachel lay lifeless on the ground, and Chris Dane looked heavy-hearted. He had not only lost a friend but also the hope of New York City!
"What now?" Richard Brody, a sensitive critic, immediately thought of the possible consequences. "According to federal law, if the District Attorney has issues, her handled cases will likely be overturned. Those mafia members in prison…"
He couldn't help but shake his head. Everything Chris Dane did was in vain; the magician had completely won, and New York would continue to sink.
"He won!" Daisy clenched her fist, muttering to herself, "The magician won! What Chris Dane, what Detective Lynch, all were defeated! The magician's ideology is the most suitable for this world!"
In all the North American theaters screening "The Dark City," the audience was silent. Everyone realized that all of Chris Dane's efforts had become futile in an instant…
Is there no solution? Should they watch the magician being smugly sent to the asylum…
Many viewers clenched their fists. Despite the magician's captivating character, the pursuit of justice and light was the side of humanity that shone the most.
They were all waiting!
Chris Dane provided the answer!
He chose to take on the crime of killing Jay Rachel and the others she had killed, preserving her reputation and bringing more hope to the city. To redeem everything, Chris Dane chose to become the despised one, truly becoming a vigilante that couldn't see the light!
In every North American theater screening "The Dark City," silence reigned. Almost everyone felt a heavy burden on their chest, as if bearing all the sins to leave the light to New York, just like Chris Dane.
"A stunning ending!" Kenneth Turan told his old friend Todd McCarthy, "This ending is dark and heavy, but it's handled reasonably, allowing Chris Dane's character to turn the tables amidst the madness of the magician and Jay Rachel."
Todd McCarthy nodded continuously, "The ending's impact on the film is comparable to 'The Sixth Sense'!"
Even Richard Brody, who specialized in nitpicking, couldn't think of a more suitable ending. The final scenes, though dark and heavy, precisely highlighted the brightest aspect of human nature!
It was a perfect use of darkness to contrast light!
He couldn't help but sigh. Murphy Stanton's use of various film techniques seemed simple but had reached near perfection!
This ending was extraordinarily tragic. The screen cut back to the scene of Jay Rachel's death. Police dogs chased Chris Dane, and severely injured, Chris mounted his super motorcycle, charging alone into the darkness, bearing all the darkness and disappearing.
The film ended there!
In the New York State Theater, as the credits rolled, applause erupted from all directions, surrounding the crew. People turned to look at Murphy, their faces filled with satisfaction. Murphy nodded slightly, clapping along with the crowd.
The applause was endless, lasting a full five minutes!
In nearly 4,000 theaters across North America screening "The Dark City," enthusiastic applause was unanimous!
"A great director created an outstanding character, which in turn elevated the director's work to greatness!"
Having said this in his heart, Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers, like everyone else, stood up and headed to the front row to personally congratulate Murphy Stanton on directing a great masterpiece!
Murphy exchanged pleasantries with those who came to congratulate him. There were so many people that by the time the staff urged them to head to the press conference hall, he felt his face had stiffened from smiling.
In the press hall of the New York State Theater, the crowd was so dense that it couldn't be described with words. In a space meant for nearly 300 people, more than 700 reporters had squeezed in. Those without seats stood in the aisles, and there wasn't even room to put their feet down. The lighter individuals were practically held up by the surrounding crowd.
Most of them had already seen the film and knew what a masterpiece it was.
As the Q&A session began, questions were immediately directed at Murphy.
A New York Times reporter asked first, "Director Stanton, what inspired you to create such a film?"
"I believe every character should be rooted in reality. Most people in this world don't possess such noble sentiments, virtues, and idealistic constraints. Often, the lines between good and evil are blurred."
Murphy thought for a moment and then continued, "Chris Dane acts very humanly, sometimes even politically. Wherever he appears, there's no clear distinction between good and evil, right and wrong. I wanted to explore the idea that in reality, no one should be above the law, not even a 'vigilante'."
With the crowd being so chaotic, Murphy answered one question before handing the press conference over to the three main actors.
Although not as dazzling as James Franco and Margot Robbie, Henry Cavill, as the film's lead, was also a key interview subject.
A Washington Post reporter asked, "Mr. Cavill, as an actor, do you really feel you can find something in the spectacular effects and deafening explosions? And twice in a row?"
Henry Cavill didn't seem to catch the hidden provocation, simply replying, "The main reason is I enjoy working with Murphy. He knows that just effects and explosions alone can't make a film. Essentially, it's about the story, with many spectacular subplots occurring throughout. Even with all the elements I mentioned, making a film ultimately depends on the director."
The reporter then turned to Margot Robbie, "Ms. Robbie, your performance in the film was stunning, especially the character's transformation. Do you think this is your best role?"
"Yes!" Margot Robbie answered without hesitation, "This is the role I've invested the most in and am the most satisfied with. Murphy's guidance allowed me to delve into the character's heart, which was crucial!"
As for James Franco, anyone who watched the film could tell he was the most outstanding and brilliant among the three leads. Subsequently, he was surrounded by questions from reporters. With James Franco attracting all the attention, Murphy slipped away from the media storm first.
With the film already in theaters, there were far more important aspects than media interviews.
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