Equals

We shan't be fooled - original ideas, concepts and scripts come by very rarely these days. Over the years I've come to accept that we shall not blatantly blame the creative team for the lack of some originality whether it is on similar premise, plot points, slight clichés, or visual styles. But when the final product is just a lazy mash up all the above, ripped off of arguably better previous films, as well as famed English literature at its most obvious, is just harder to swallow. If you ever watched Kurt Wimmer's Equilibrium and Michael Bay's the Island you have most certainly watched Doremus' Equals.

Pretentiously disguising the outright obvious rehash of ideas of a dystopian society where the inhabitants are deprived of different forms of freedom for the sake of a Utopian perfect society, with slower pacing, contemplating set up shots and heartfelt-advertising- like cinematography, we are left with a most forgetful film that never once introduces a single differentiating or provocative element.

This film tells the story of a futuristic world where people have no emotions, and any display of emotions is a disorder treated by death. Two individuals find themselves feeling for each other, and they have to do everything they can to avoid their fate.

"Equals" is very visually stunning. The sets are really beautifully minimialistic. The lighting is great as well, I love how the cold colour lighting complements the atmosphere of the film. The wardrobe is great as well, the white colour scheme really works, everyone looks so stylish and smart in the film. The whole atmosphere of the film is very well thought out and effectively presented to the viewers, immersing me into this strange futuristic world. The story is very engaging too. I just love "Equals". I am blown away by it, it is my clear favourite film in this genre.

Equals is set in a futuristic world where, inexplicably, people have decided to "do away with emotions." Of course this phrase never has any real meaning, since any kind of inclination to do anything can be counted as an emotion. So really it's a sci-fi setting to explore the practice of the suppression of emotions. A problem which has never existed.

OK, before I trash the movie too much: the acting is fine, the set design and look are very good, and the world-building is excellent. But what is the story here? Two people who aren't supposed to fall in love do so anyway. Call me a cynic but I need more than that.

Compare and contrast Equals with The Lobster, another sci- fi/dystopian movie about suppressing emotions. Rather, The Lobster compares the societal demand that people form couples, regardless of how dysfunctional they are, against an underground movement of people who insist that being single should not be cause for rejection by society (though the rebels go too far the other way, adopting the "no emotional connections" attitude that fits with Equals). Somehow The Lobster manages to fit an interesting and funny story into the world. Equals? It gives us practically nothing.

Perhaps this is just a distillation of the concept of Forbidden Love. I really expected more.

Equals is a Science fiction love story set in a dystopian future, where the citizens are de-sensitised from showing emotions and love. If you're wanting guns, aliens and corny one-liners then this movie is definitely not for you. If, on the other hand you like more sedate and intellectual sci-fi, then I strongly recommend 'Equals'. Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult play the lead roles with fine support from Guy Pearce and Jacki Weaver. The chemistry between the lead roles is spot on, the music score is great, the direction and screenplay by Drake Doremus are both excellent. Ignore the naysayers watch it, like me you might be greatly surprised

I think this is a movie where you either love it or hate it. I loved it needless to say. The film itself is quite slow and for the first portion of the movie very dull to look at which reflects just how perfect the society they live in is. Once the colors start showing up and the music kicks in though you're hooked. The story is one we've all seen before, but it still was done well and seems fresh in this movie. The romance is slow at first but then goes full force as you watch two people experience love for the first time in their lives.

Even if you hated this movie you have to admit that its beautiful to look at and the music really helps set the tone.