Rating: 
Summary: You Better Buy This One NOW!!
Review: ...All I have to say is this ... This movie was allowed to die in the Top 20 test marking cities after only two weeks, with absolutely NO advertising. Why? This film is politically-incorrect and centers on many issues (hate-crime laws, war-on-terror, government censorship, absolute government ... etc) that those in 'the establishment' would rather you not consider for yourself. This film was 'shelved' for almost a year, then finally released late in 2002 for only a few weeks. It is very likely that Dimension Films is going to only sell only one run of DVDs and tapes to recoup their losses in production costs. As this movie was not marketed in any meaningful way, it seems likely that it will vanish as soon as the copies are all sold out... If you waited to see it in the theaters, you missed it (like I did), if you wait again to add this to your collection you could be in for a long wait before you see it again... It has within it the elements of several other movies:
All the government of Orwell's "1984"
All the censorship of Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451'
All the cinematography of Lang's "Metropolis"
Along with themes of many other movies including "Gattaca" and "Logan's Run"
This film 'seems' like so many other near-future totalitarian masterpieces in many ways. Yet, it remains it's own movie and retains its own plot and twists, without having to ride on anyone's coattails, least of all the "Matrix". It is graphic, violent, often shocking, and filled with religious connotations. The actions sequences are fewer and shorter than those in "The Matrix". However, the action in "Equilibrium" is still superior, partly because it is more controlled, less flashy, and more realistic. The incredible stunt scenes, done with very little CGI, complement the story in "Equilibrium" without dominating the entire film. The fight scenes in "The Matrix" seem way overdone and excessively gratuitous by comparison. The quality of Christian Bale's performance is exceptionally above that of Keanu Reeves (who is still as vacuous as he was in his 'Bill and Ted' days).
There are a few scenes that may upset some highly sensitive people, such as; the incineration of a living woman named Mary, some soldiers shooting some penned up dogs, and the arrest of John Preston's wife at home in front of her children. After all this is a serious film about brutal government and by no means a 'family classic' nor a 'chic flick'. Taye Diggs was the only shortcoming of whole movie as he was 'too emotional' for his part in it.
Here is what "Equilibrium" lacks thankfully) ...
Cheap, easy, pointless and gratuitous sex
Unnecessarily foul and obscene language
A positive view of drugs
Empty humor and meaningless comic relief
A hopelessly depressing ending typical of this kind of movie
Rating:
Summary: Tons of different actors and very under-rated
Review: I had reservations about this movie when I first saw it. I hadn't heard a lot about it but it seemed interesting. After ten minutes I loved it and it only got better. The acting is terrific, the plot is highly detailed, the story is intense and captivating, there is nothing good about this movie because it's terrific. You can feel for so many characters and the actions scenes steal the movie hands down. If you are an action, drama, sci-fi, or just intense story fan then this is the movie you should buy because I know I will.
Rating: 
Summary: Holds its own amidst comparisons
Review: This is a solid, well-acted, action-packed film that holds it own despite its comparisons to such movies as The Matrix, 1984 and Fahrenheit-451, just to name a few.After WW3, a totalitarian govt. seeks to eliminate wars, violence, crimes, etc. by stifling emotions and materialistic possessions that fuel those emotions. Christian Bale (American Psycho, Shaft) plays the best of the best of law enforcement who makes sure those who break the laws are punished...that is, until the tables are turned on him. Bale plays the hard-lined, emotionless cleric turned "sense offender" to perfection, and it's great to see him play the hero. The movie is also loaded with familiar faces: Taye Diggs, Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings), Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers, Event Horizon, Soldier) and Angus McFadyen (Braveheart). The film starts out slow, but holds one's interest enough to get you to the end, which is where the action really kicks in. Filled with well-choreographed, real-time action sequences to rival that of The Matrix, "Equilibrium" is a satisfying sci-flick well worth the viewing effort.
Rating:
Summary: Silly but thoroughly entertaining!
Review: If you're looking for a fun yet cheesey romp into an alternate history of Earth via sci-fi Orwellian dystopia, Equilibrium is for you. Even if the story is implausible, the symbolic imagery, heartfelt acting, and excellent gunplay battles make this movie well worth a viewing - or even owning. This is a must-see for action-movie fans!
Rating: 
Summary: Equilibrium is a bit off balance.
Review: I read all the underground buzz about this film being a neglected scifi film that was excellent. I remember such films as Dark City and Donnie Darko receiving the same acclaim and to that I decided why not discover another unknown film to add to my collection and spread the good news about to others. Maybe I was a bit too hyped over it, maybe I expected more gun fights, or maybe it was the all too similar aspects between this and the Matrix that leads me to say it may not be all it's hyped up to be. The action IS really cool but don't expect alot of it, I did enjoy that it wasn't all karate like most action films today, it reminded me of the gun totin days of Chow Yun Fat in such films as Hard Boiled and The Killer. It certainly follows the Matrix formula. Philosophy + Action + SciFi = ??? Well I don't know what it comes out too, it certainly takes after such books as Brave New World and Farenheit 451. At times it works but with such scenes as the puppy scene you wonder if their trying too hard to make us understand what it is to FEEL. The acting was decent although inconsistent. If the Cleric (and everyone else) do not know emotion. How come Tay Diggs grins through out the whole movie, I wanted to slap him and say "Hey your not supposed to feel emotion dummy stop smiling!" Last time I checked, anger, wit, and suspsicion, are all EMOTIONS. The acting is not at all consistent with the idea of having no emotion. Even the villian shows anger, which again, is an emotion. Maybe their was too much Dashboard Confessional played on the set, who knows. Those little things did bother me but if you ignore them than the few moments of genius matched with the few and far between action sequences (which are very cool) than you have a decent movie that in no way matches the wit of Donnie Darko, or the gothic atmospher of Dark City, and let's face it steals alot of it's look from every scifi movie ever made. A noteworthy mention is a really great audio commentary by Director Kurt Wimmer. He honestly and boldly confronts all the criticism he's heard about the movie and even admits to many of the mistakes he made in the film. He addresses alot of my concerns with the logic of the no emotion thing and after hearing his explanation for them they don't seem to bother me as much (Tay diggs smiling, the villian gettin angry). It's a great commentary for would-be film makers because he focuses on his first time directing and the techniques he used. It's one of the most earnest and humbling commentaries I've heard in awhile and it's definetly worth hearing. (Unlike most directors who seem full of themselves) It's worth watching at least once, but don't go in expecting to "Forget the Matrix" as the cover suggests. It's decent SciFi and I will enjoy it on repeat viewings despite it's flaws.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Action
Review: Quite possibly one of the best action films made this side of the pacific. Certainly a better action movie than 'The Matrix'. With none of the slow-motion nonsense of that film, Equilibrium action scenes are all played out in realtime. The plot is not great, but it still holds and if you like bleak visions of the future Equilibrium is defenitely on par with Brave New World, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451. A treat for any fan of dystopias or action movies.
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: Steer clear of equillibrium if you are looking for an intelligentsci-fi action movie, but if you're looking for something in the style of devil-may-cry type gun fighting put to live action, this is it. Equillibrium suffers from plot holes and at times puzzling logic, but with unbelieveably awesome fight scenes. The fights however are few and far between, and really leave you wanting to see a great deal more. If you really dig gun fights and matrix style action, this movie is definatley worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Check it out
Review: Director Kurt Wimmer - remember this name - has put together a thoughtful, dynamic and action-packed movie. Reviewers have already posted opinions about its strong and weak points, but I would like to add my name to the pile of "recommended" reviews. I thought it kicked [butt] on an intellectual, emotional, as well as physical level. The action sequences are stunning, well-sequenced bits of eye candy challenging "The Matrix" for overall intensity and creativity. They only spent $20 million on this baby, yet my need for cinematic connection was strangely sated as the credits rolled up the screen. My thoughts at the time: wow. I'm not claiming this is among the top sci-fi movies ever, but this sleeper packs a mighty punch. Check it out. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Total waste of time
Review: The movie's story line is awfull, no major special effects, in fact, it has absolutely nothing special on it, just a silly story about a quasi Hitler/Goebels lunatic messing with people's minds for no purpose at all.
I even asked the rental to return me the money I spent on it, as it was on their recomendations display. DONT GET NEAR IT.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Movie - HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MATRIX!
Review: I don't know what the other reviews of this movie are talking about when they compare this movie to The Matrix. They have nothing in common. I guess since The Matrix WAS the most incredible martial arts film (until EQ came around, heh) people feel the need to compare this film to it. The problem with this is i never stood up in the matrix and clapped after an action scene. I was so blown away by the fighting in this movie that my jaw dropped and i was speechless (and those who know me know that me being speechless is a very rare occasion). Not to mention the distopian society and the whole "why are we alive?" commentary was very good. For those of you incapable for appreciating this movie for its simplicity and good message, I have one thing to say to you all: Don't buy this movie, you aren't good enough or smart enough to appreciate it for what the director intended! Synopsis: This is one of those movies that makes you go "hmmmmm" and has the most incredibly coreographed actions scenes EVER (no exaggeration). For those of you who can enjoy slower, artsy films, this is definitely for you.
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