Equilibrium

I've seen this movie 5 times (it's the nature of satellite TV) within the past week and it's true...you catch something you've missed or see something new with every successive viewing. This movie is way ahead of its time, and much better than the over-rated Matrix. Bale is always exceptional, and so is his "Metroland" co-star, Emily Watson. Maybe it's the Anglophile or Brit-flick fan in me, but I must say that the added presence of Sean Bean and Angus MacFadyen all but confirms the pre-eminence of UK acting in quality films. Accompanied by very appropriate techno-musik, the action sequences are fast and Euro-flashy, heavily influenced by Jan De Bont--different from the weird, drawn-out, "suspended/string puppet" thing that apparently passes for martial arts these days. (I miss Bruce Lee)

Anyway, if you haven't seen it, give this a shot. If you already have & weren't impressed, take a look at it again. It will grow on you. See if you're inclined to show up to work the next day looking and acting very much a "Cleric" who missed a Prozium dose.

Receiving a lukewarm at best response from critics on release and faring even worse at the worldwide box office when it was unleashed at the tail end of 2002, earning less than $5 million dollars at the international ticket booths, Kurt Wimmer's dystopian sci-fi Equilibrium has slowly but steadily gained a significant genre following in the near 20 years on from its initial release.

Taking liberally from George Orwell's revered 1984 and other similar films, Equilibrium's narrative focuses around a world ravaged by global warfare that has decided the best way forward for the human race is to squash the very instinct to feel or show emotion, as its society is policed by a gun-fu (you can only understand it once you see it) savvy police force and dictated by a mysterious leader who rules with pharmaceutical drugs designed specifically to ensure an obedient and predictable population.

It's a loaded subject matter and one with ample potential to explore and examine and it's fair to say Wimmer doesn't delve too much into the finer details of his concept as he instead keeps his film relatively narrow in scope as it centres around Christian Bale's long serving and dedicated government agent John Preston who finds himself beginning to look at life with a different set of eyes that could indeed begin to unleash his natural feelings and thoughts that have long been curtailed by the world he lives and serves in.

For such a unique concept, much of Equilibrium is fairly predictable, with Wimmer following a well trodden path towards his end game with it disappointing that the film doesn't explore much of its ideas in too much depth with the idea of the resistance force building against this new way of life or even Preston's backstory/family life not getting a lot of time to grow or make us feel much in the way of genuine emotion but there's still a fun time too be had with the film we end up getting.

The type of film that would've nowadays gotten a fair amount of airplay in the modern streaming climate, this is absolutely the type of material Netflix would overpay for the rights too, Equilibrium's lack of storytelling smarts or inability to grow much from its initial conception doesn't stop it from being an enjoyable dystopian detour that harbors within it an idea and concepts that someone would be wise to explore further if given the chance too.

Final Say -

A sci-fi that borrows plenty from previous genre entries but also creates a raft of nifty if slightly underdeveloped ideas of its own, Equilibrium is an initially dismissed feature that has understandably managed to find its growing audience in the years since its release, despite it never once threatening to be regarded as top class fare.

3 burned paintings out of 5

For more reviews check out Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)

A strong film with plenty to recommend it, EQUILIBRIUM was released to the noise of "not another MATRIX rip-off" and similar sentiments. This instant decision is a little unfair, because – although obviously inspired by the Keanu Reeves blockbuster in places – EQUILIBRIUM is a decent and intelligent science fiction thriller with a pleasing change of pace. Once again we're in an Orwellian style future of grab greys and mundane apartment-block buildings, where emotion is suppressed and evil henchmen in motorbike helmets go around shooting little dogs. In this world we meet Christian Bale, a martial arts superhero who goes around murdering all those emotional and artistic folks.

Sure, it's an old story, but it works well here. CGI cityscapes aside, there are no fancy special effects robots or monsters; instead the basis is on good old-fashioned characters, and with a supporting cast that includes Sean Pertwee, Sean Bean, Taye Diggs, William Fichtner, and Emily Watson; you can't go wrong. Much of the story is predictable and there are a couple of sappy moments, but for the most part this is suspenseful, exciting stuff. A handful of violent, ultra-stylish action sequences (displaying originality, even in this day and age) add to the impact and help make the underlying dreariness rather enjoyable. Very entertaining viewing that deserves to be given a chance. A lot of this works thanks to Bale; once again, he's excellent in the part. I'd go so far as to say that this is actually better than THE MATRIX; whereas that film was all action, this one makes you think in a moral sense, and the action supports the story – rather than the action being the story.

I really enjoy this movie, it's not perfect, but its enjoyable and is a good package considering its low budget. Christian Bale's acting style compliments the cool emotionless feel to the movie, plus there's a bit of heart in there to. It is a bit gimmicky, yes, but it packs a punch, with simplistic costumes that look realistic, to the brutalistic architecture style. I really recommend this movie for a fun scifi movie night, but don't be overly serious or you will look like a emotionless dictator.

First of all, a extremly tought provoking film!

Definitely a great film that really captures the essence of what makes us human. And how we need to protect freedom, democracy and culture forever.

I really think it manages to capture the human mind and the human experience of life and society.

Christian Bale fits perfectly for this role capturing his classic performances and abilitys as a actor during these "cold" roles he usually does.

Soundtrack is amazing!

Amazing script and filming aswell!

What makes my rating abit lower, from being a stable 8 or 9 is the exaggerated actionscenes that takes too much space.

Otherwise then that, its a movie that everyone should watch to understand how dangerous power could be and that we need to fight for freedom every day.