Equilibrium
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Movie Reviews of Equilibrium
Movie Review: Beautiful and Poetic In Both It's Story and Violence...
Summary: 5 Stars
Being into action films, I heard many things about "Equilibrium". Mainly, everyone talks about its gun, sword, and fist fights. After finally seeing it (thank God I did), I realized there's so much more to the story than violence and action. Underneath, you can find a beautifully written story that is both compelling and thought provoking.
In the beginning of the film, it is told that World War III has occurred. The war's catalyst was emotion: people would have feelings and take their feelings out on others. After WWIII, people all over the world were given a drug that would take away all emotions. Noone could feel, which meant noone could harm anyone else. This is what society has become.
Now, people who do not take the drug ("sense offenders") hide countless pieces of music, literature, art, and even animals so that they can feel like the others cannot. This is where the government comes in. They send in Clerics such as Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) to wipe out any sense offenders for their wrong-doings. Clerics are also on the drug, so even after they kill many people, it doesn't affect them in anyway.
All that changes after Preston kills his old partner, because he too was also beginning to "feel". Preston misses the dosage of his drug and finally starts to realize what is actually happening in his world. Using his his special up-close combat skills and his newly acquire emotions, Preston delves deeper into society and exactly who the good guys are: the government he worked for or the "sense offenders".
This film works on so many levels for me. There are just so many great things that make it even more interesting to watch.
First off, the action scenes. I hear many people say, "Oh, 'Equilibrium', it rips off 'The Matrix' in terms of action." Okay, first, "The Matrix" is overrated. Second, the action scenes are "so" different. There is no bullet time, no CGI, no wire, kung-fu stuff. The way Preston fights may seem a bit unrealistic, but this is the future, and the battles are choreographed tightly and are never too long, which doesn't leave our minds numbed, but actually making us want more. In other words, that battle scenes just plain out rock.
Second, Christian Bale. It's his job to either make or break this movie. He totally makes it and passes the mark. He is excellent. Words cannot describe his transformation from his wooden state to all out resistance fighter. It's so perfect and makes sense (no pun intended). Also, SPECIAL NOTE (SPOILERS) - if you do not cry or shed a tear in the scene with the dogs and Christian Bale's expressions, there is something wrong with you. A beautiful moment. Besides that, Taye Diggs, Emma Watson, and Sean Bean were also awesome in their roles which were fairly minor. Yet, this movie is seriously Christian Bale's.
Third, the direction from Kurt Wimmer is really nicely done. The pacing is perfect and flows nicely, but not too fast. The action sequences are also nicely edited, instead of being a mess of close-ups and quick edits (Batman Begins - take notes). Very good job in direction.
Four, after watching this film, it felt really uplifting and satisfying. I know this section has nothing to do with the technical or plot aspects of the film, but I just wanted to point out that the movie is just a poetic thing to watch unfold. It's nicely written, and just perfect.
Overall, "Equilibrium" was an intense action film inside a amazingly structured story. The film has many underlying messages and is definitely one to watch over and over again.
Rated R for thematic elements and sequences of intense, violent action.
Movie Review: An Entertaining Adrenaline Ride
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, we've seen this type of movie before. The oppressive future governments ruling with violence and without remorse fighting against rebels wanting to be free. Equilibrium does this style of movie so much better. How? I hear you ask. With the help of Christian Bale. My review will be in three different stages. They are the story, the characters (or character) and the review which is just my opinion on the whole thing.
The Story: In the beginning of the 21st century, World War Three ravages the Earth and almost obliterates mankind. The few survivors realise that a fourth world war would mean the end of mankind once and for all. The world is taken over by "The Father" and his Tetragrammaton government. The father believes that the cause for WW3 was human feeling and in order to prevent that it must be eradicated. They have created "prozium" which is a medication that prevents feeling. But they must also locate and destroy every piece of art, music and other such items that would cause a human to feel. John Preston is a high ranking Grammaton Cleric and is on the front line when bringing "sense offenders" to justice. The only problem is that one day when accidentally smashing one of his prozium injections, he starts to feel. Feeling is the only thing that makes us human and Preston seeks to destroy the government that is destroying basic humanity.
The Character: John Preston is played by Christian Bale, and I must say the character is portrayed superbly. John Preston is a man who has no emotion and is dedicated to the cause of the Grammaton. He's so dedicated that he even allowed his wife to be executed for being a "sense offender." Preston also executed his partner and friend for being a "sense offender." This goes to show you the ruthlessness of Preston when he believes in his cause. The interesting part of him, however, is when he goes through the transformation of being completely emotionless to feeling things for the very first time.
He begins to dream of his wife, he begins to seek out art and music in the pursuit of emotional stimulation. Seeing him develop and seeing Bale pull it off is what makes this film tremendous.
The Review: When I first started watching this film I thought it would just bore the life out of me and I almost switched it off about 10 minutes in. This is simply due to it starting off as completely emotionless, sure the action's cool but without character emotion you're not getting much more than the odd gun fight. The film truly comes alive with the transformation of Christian Bales character. His acting ability really shines when he has to display a character experiencing emotions for the very first time.
The film is dark and at times haunting at us being reminded that such a totalitarian government could come to fruition in the near future. Until that time comes we have this film to tide us over. The action scenes are really intense and something this film holds unique to what has become quite a cliché sub genre. The supporting cast also do their job in holding their own with such a talented actor.
It's an enjoyable movie all round and I think everyone will enjoy it. It takes a while to get started but once it does it becomes something very special.
Movie Review: Great movie-too bad it's being treated unfairly.
Summary: 5 Stars
Equilibrium is the biggest surprise of the year, an exhilarating action thriller with plot (albeit not a watertight one, but an interesting and intelligent one, nonetheless). The film is set sometime in the future, where society deems emotions illegal, and all citizens must take a daily dose of the sense-suppressing drug, Prozium. To ensure the citizens take this drug, clerics are used to regulate the law with strict, brutal force. One such cleric, John Preston (Christian Bale), accidentally skips his daily dose and begins to experience emotions for the first time. Ultimately, he chooses to join a rebel group to overthrow this society. Those wondering just why they should see a movie they've never heard of; take my word for it, Equilibrium is the most exciting film of the year. Anyone who's seen this movie's half-dozen or so action sequences knows what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, be prepared to be blown away for an amazing two hour experience of suspense and thrills with a genuinely thought-provoking plot.
The suspenseful storyline (bearing many similarities to 1984 and Farenheit 451) creates an equal mixture of intrigue and fright, the mere thought of such a horrific future is terrifying, yet compelling. Christian Bale's wonderful performance is among the year's best. The role requires him to experience emotions for the first time, and he pulls it off magnificently with scenes that range from touching (listening to that jazz piece) to absolutely hypnotic (his emotional breakdown in the middle of the streets). The other performances are solid, particularly Sean Bean in a small role as Bale's partner and Emily Watson as a "sense offender."
Then there are the action sequences. I've never heard of director Kurt Wimmer before, but John Woo, Luc Besson, and the Wachowski brothers had better watch their back. In just his second film, Wimmer has surpassed anything those aforementioned filmmakers have accomplished. The film displays a fighting style called gun-kata (the fighting method the clerics employ), a mixture of martial arts and guns, an ingenious set-up for the most creative action scenes I've seen in years. Equilibrium's climactic battle is among the best action sequences I've ever seen, a virtuoso display of mayhem that's brilliantly choreographed.
But as I lay acclaim to the film, I find it very disappointing barely anyone has seen this terrific movie. It's been buried in limited release and is now out of theaters entirely. I'd like to think Miramax/Dimension Films would go for a re-release, especially now that it's grown a devoted fan base, but that's wishful thinking, considering the fate of another recent Dimension Films release, Below.
DVD is now the only option to see the movie, and for those curious, I highly recommend you check this film out once it's out on video. I've heard that a release date is planned for May, no idea if it's true or not, but that wouldn't be too far from the release of The Matrix Reloaded, meaning it's entirely possible Equilibrium will only be further ignored. Let's hope this fantastic sci-fi/actioner gets the wide viewing it deserves.
Movie Review: Amazing film - Stark reality showing the result of socialism/communism
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent film - Highly recommended - 5 stars - do I make my point? This film is amazing; full of action; full of exciting, ironic twists; and reminds a person of the book 1948.
Scary though in that it is a mirror of what the recent Department of Homeland Security report said -- anyone not agreeing with the current government is a danger to society. The original report (as of recent the websites I have seen are watering it down after public outcry - or putting their own words in it to make the position of the document seem less offensive) labels these people as terrorists - read it! It is there in black and white! The report specifically mentions veterans as being potential terrorists! Again - try to find the original copy online - recently the websites are watering it down after public outcry.
In Equilibrium, the personal thoughts and opinions of the individual are seen as a threat to the government head - called "The Father." This leads to the imprisonment of those who do not agree with the established system.
Equilibrium presents us with a fictional society where emotion (hence private opinion as to what is best) is required to be sacrificed by individuals for the (government defined) public good. This film is a fictional, but harsh glimpse at what history has proven socialism always evolves into. The reason history has absolutely no record of a non-evil socialistic society is shown in portrayed here. Mankind has an inherent sense of greed and selfishness. Therefore, when an authoritative figure is set up to become the entity to distribute everyone's private goods among all society (socialism) - for a state of equilibrium - the fact that, "absolute power corrupts absolutely" rears its ugly head.
The "father" in this film is so very typical of what "absolute corruption" results in: the "Father" forces his opinions on the masses, and (as in all recorded, historical instances) - allows only himself (and immediate friends) the very privileges he denies the citizens! The parallelism of this film - although a fictional world not yet existing - to historical accuracy is an amazing parallel to witness.
Equilibrium also accurately defines the human emotions of greed and selfishness to be the cause of war. However, as seen here, these - always- are also the basis of evil regimes that kill their own citizens! What a paradox! This film accurately does show the way to combat these evils is NOT to sacrifice the rights of the individual and "spread the wealth around" b/c when individuality is lost, then existence becomes nothing but a play-toy for the few who wield the authority. The citizens become puppets living only gratify the indulgences of the privileged few.
Get it - watch it - feel it - learn from it - be entertained by it - but do not let the truth behind this enjoyable film slip through your fingers. No wonder I heard so very little about this film in the news media!
Movie Review: You Should Not Miss These Sensational Action Scenes
Summary: 5 Stars
Sci-fi flick with stunning visuals, "Equilibrium" deserves much more attention not only from fans of genre, but also from general audiences. Sure, its flaws are too visible, borrowing Orwellian ideas from other films like, say, "Brazil," but it is not that ideas themselves but the way they are put into practice that really counts, and on that score "Equiliburium" is a winner. (And critics, please let me know, why do you all praise Steven's "Minority Report" which actually borrows ideas from other films of this genre? So, why not give this one a due respect?)Well, I admit the opening chapter of "Equilibrium" is a bit weak, introducing us to the dystopia world after the WW3, but soon you will forget that. The totalitarian government established after the war decided to eliminate anything that might possibly make humans emotional, forcing the people to inject a certain doze of [chemical substance] to be unemotional every day. Moreover, it decrees there should be no more music (not only hip-hops, but classic music), no more motion pitures, and no more decorated interiors. Those who love them hide underground, becoming rebels while the authroity set up a super-cop troop called "Grammaton Clerics."
Christian Bale ("American Psyco") is John Preston the best of the Clerics, and dedicates himself to the job until he arrests a woman Mary O'Brien who possessd illegal stuffs. But her strong creed and perhaps beauty make their way into the sleeping heart of Preston, who has been long fighting for his cause.
The film's philosophical messages are in themselves not new at all, and director Kurt Wimmer might have kept his idea a little too long. I say so, because today, in the 21st century, it is not this Orwellian society that we are afraid of most. The story has enough twists to surprise us, but maybe one too many, I think, and the wrap-up part of the film feels a bit hurriedly done.
However, those are noting before the film's sensational action scenes, which can make up for any flawed part of the film. The "Gun-Kata" fighting deserves special mention, using [weapons] like Japanese swords, and its hyper-kinetic movement is very violent and very beautiful at the same time. Incredible it might sound, but Christian Bale shows excellent action star quality here, displaying the beauty of "Kata"s -- and "kata" means in Japanese "style." Yes, there are lots of styles in "Equilibrium."
Other plsyers are also effectively cast, and most unexpected is Emily Watson, who quite naturally becomes the Joan D'Arc-like character. Taye Diggs is good as Preston's partner, and though short time, Sean Bean, cast against type, is also perfect as Partridge who plays a key role in the story.
I was quite surprised and satisfied, and even thrilled to see this neglected film, which should have been more pushed. Again I say, its actions are sensational. Not that this is "Matrix"; rather, it is more unique and has its own "kata" = style, which means a lot these days.