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Summary: Finally, a movie about Gun-Kata
Review: Out of the 100+ minutes of Equilibrium, there are maybe 10 minutes worth of Gun-Kata action sequences, which is more than enough for me to rent and love this movie as one of the best gun-fight scenes of all time (a list I will soon create to include Matrix, Desperado, Way of the Gun, Black Hawk Down). The premise of this movie, a totalitarian dystopia devoid of emotions, is nothing special even to the most casual of sci-fi fans. Orwell has been there, Huxley has done that, and Bradbury said it before. The acting is adequate, which is more than you can ask for out of an uninspired and stereotypical plot. BUT isn¡¦t Equilibrium an action movie? Isn¡¦t an action movie¡¦s plot, however unbelievable and unoriginal, there to serve only as a backdrop for the actions? Which brings me back to the only redeeming quality of Equilibrium. Gun-Kata is a form of martial art focusing on the use of handguns (kata refers to the set, almost ritualistic movements in martial arts to be repeated by students). The movements are mathematically calculated, factoring in the position and distance of the targets, the trajectory of the bullets and the physical recoil to flow from one motion to the next in order to maximize killing potential. The CGI sequences used to explain the principles of Gun-Kata is absolutely brilliant and should be implemented in high school geometry classes. The idea of mathematically analyzed martial art is mind-blowing (at least for me); and its execution on screen, coupled with Equilibrium¡¦s relentless electronica soundtrack, will rip your cornea and give the most ardent adrenaline junkies multiple cardiac arrests.
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Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: Don't even try to compare to Matrix as my stupid Video Store guy tried to do. This is probably the most underpromoted movie of all times. You can compare it to George Orwell's 1984 but not Matrix, Matrix what? I just loved the fight scenes, the storyline, the plot, and everything else. Just don't miss it.
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Summary: This film blew The Matrix away!!
Review: Equlibrium is set in a futuristic society, where a strict regime has eiliminated war by suppresing emotion and destroying everything that causes it - books, art, music, animals, etc.. To keep everyone in line, the government administers a mind altering drug that hinders emotion called Prozium. A form of police called the Clerics, have been created to enfore the law, and anyone who breaks it by feeling or showing emotion is put to death. John Preston ( Christian Bale), is the highest ranking Cleric who is responsible for destroying anyone who breaks the rules. But John is soon effected by a prisoner ( Emily Watson), who claims that you cannot truly live life unless you are able to feel, and experience emotion. To test her theory, he skips his next dose of Prozium. Right away, John sees that the society that he helped create, has been wrong all along. John has been trained to enforce the laws of the new regime at all costs, but he is now the only person capable of overthrowing it. His partner (Taye Diggs)sets his eyes on John's position, and becomes determined to stop him... I was literally blown away by this film. Director Kurt Wimmer did a great job creating the future society, with the outstanding visuals. While the story is similar to "Fahrenhiet 451" in some aspects, the story still manages to keep your interest and seem original for the most part. "Equilibrium", is also the best action film I have seen in recent memory. Even "The Matrix" pales in comparison. When I first saw this film at the theater, everyone in the audience was literally gasping and making comments about how original and amazing the action was. A totally original form of martial art was introduced in this film called " The Gun Kata". It mixes martial arts together with gun play to create a more effective shooting technique. Watching this new type of self defense unfold on the screen was mind blowing. The ending to this film is great and features one of the best sword fights I have ever seen. Christian Bale puts in another good performance. He plays both sides of John Preston so well. The first is the Cleric who feels nothing, and kills anyone who breaks the law. He looks down right menacing! The second, is the man that comes to believe what he is doing is wrong. Watching him feel for the first time will amaze you, because he gave such an accurate portrayal of what it would really be like. Taye Diggs did an outstanding job as his partner. He is dispicable and a truly great villan. Emily Watson, Angus MacFadyen and Sean Bean were also fantastic in their roles. "Equlibrium" raised the bar of action films to a whole new level. The gun play, martial arts action, and overall violence will blow your mind. It is fast paced, realistic, and extremely gory!! The visuals are stunning as well, and the performances are great. Once this film becomes more well known, it will have people talking for a long time to come!
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Summary: This Movie Was On Point....
Review: Just say it yesterday. I would have to say that to those who have compared this to the Matrix, the two aren't even in the same league. It grabs your attention from beginning to end, and the storyline keeps you on edge. Definitely a must see....
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Summary: Did anyone else notice the huge plot hole?!
Review: With everyone debating whether its a copy or good action film I'm really suprised nobody pointed out that they accidently put two scenes in the wrong order! I won't mention what they are, 'cause it destroys the purpose of the film. The scene order aside, it is an excellent film. Made even more so by the quality produced on such a low budget. I highly recomend the viewing of this work.
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Summary: Freakin AWESHOME!!!!!
Review: Hell's Yeah! For the longest time I said to myself, "Self, I enjoy novels of dystopian fascist futures, and John Woo style gunfights, when is someone going to combine the two?" Finally someone has done that with the marvel that is Equilibrum. The movie, creates a world that pays homage to dystopian novels, example the ever present T is taken out of Brave New World, and Sean Bean's book is the same tha tthe Protagonist in Farenheit 451 first read. The gunfights are amazing and the swordfight at the end is one of the best I've ever seen (so good I enjoyed it again when I saw the same fight in Underworld a few months ago)'Tis a damn shame this movie bombed at the box office, so do yourself a favor and buy this NOW!!!
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Summary: Well made, but predictable
Review: Given the very poor overall quality of sci-fi movies released every year, maybe I don't have the right to complain about Equilibrium. After all, it's a well-made, well-acted, well-directed sci-fi movie in the finest tradition of the 'highest' prototype of the genre, with some great design ideas and highly impressive action scenes. And, to tell the truth. I quite enjoyed it. It sure was better than the Matrix Revolutions. It strikes me as peculiar, though, that with so many great sci-fi novels lying around just waiting to be adapted, this movie ever needed to be made. The plot of Equilibrium is so incredibly trite and predictable, I can practically spot which novel each aspect of it was taken from. Most of all it owes incredible amounts to 1984, while the fight scenes are inspired directly by The Matrix. The plot twists are predictable, and the ending immensely disappointing. There were more than a few 1984 rip-offs made before; check out Terry Gilliam's Brazil for one that managed to stay fresh and original. Equilibrium, on the other hand, makes no new statement and thus fails to justify its existence. A few words of praise, though, should go to the lead actors. Christian Bale is great in the main part, but I was more impressed with supporting actors Emily Watson and Sean Bean - Sean delivered a short performance, but nevertheless it was the best part of the movie. It can be safely said the story becomes more boring and more predictable as the story goes on, the deterioration beginning with the death of Bean's character, and hitting rock bottom with that of Watson's. The ending in particular is rushed, unconvincing and unimpressive. Matthew Harbour as Bale's son is especially wasted, as are all the lead villain characters. The final showdown is far too short and the happy ending too strained; it almost seems as if the last twenty minutes were glued on, like the fabricated happy ending Brazil got in its US version. Still, good acting, good photography, good pace (for the first hour and a half) and terrific fighting choreography make Equilibrium a nice watch. If you're a fan of the genre it's worth renting, but don't expect too much of it.
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Summary: It Grows On You
Review: Basically this movie is full of flaws. It's derivative of a half dozen better films. It kills off some of it's major characters before the ending - and not secondary ones - key ones who we care about. The premise is overly simplified and highly suspect.
The fight scenes are so unrealistic that they border on ridiculous. The formula and story arch are too obvious. I still quite enjoyed it. The movie had a consistency that really felt solid. The main characters are like Plato's cave-dwellers coming in to the light. Their revelation felt real on a certain level. The film also had a philosophical statement that resonated. Most movies are not so ambitious, and frequently fail because they don't say anything. Godzilla and the Time Machine come to mind.
The Matrix 3 succumbs under it's own weight because whatever it was saying has become too confusing and thus meaningless. Mr. Wimmer is not a great movie maker, but I enjoy his work.
I hope he gets another project.
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Summary: Another one of Films hidden treasures
Review: WTF, Man I was disappointed I didn't hear about this film earlier, I accidentally picked up this film at the local hole in the wall video store. I was disappointed when I found out that is was only released in selected box offices. It's a film that is unknown about and it's a hidden treasure. HINT: See "City of God" another hidden treasure, you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: To Michael Hooper
Review: yes, you are right, it's only a movie, sci-fi one what's more. you are right that sci-fi movies can be unrealistic. but only in terms of let's say technology, advanced science or principals (take startrek for example). but the events still need to be at least a little logical. i mean, come on. especially the lobby fighting scene when he's reloading. there are 10 guys with assault rifles in front of him; it's like he's saying "wait a minute folks, i need to reload so don't shoot". there are too many contradictions in the main character's behavior... sometimes he behaves like a highly trained killer (that's what he's supposed be right?) and a scene later he turns into a stupid rookie who can't assess a basic combat situation. that's what makes matrix so different, even though the first look might suggest they are equally good. because in matrix (well, leave aside the "beautifull princess kiss of life" at the end) all the characters behave logically in each situation and the jumps and fighting skills are justified by the environment they take place in. that's the kind of realism i'm talking about - not considering 50 meter jump unrealistic. but it seems to me that in equilibrium, the characters take completely irrational and unlogical actions just in order to buy some time for next few scenes - it's like you don't check-mate your opponent in chess when you have a unique chance to do so just in order to play next few moves. but usually chess are not about life/death or fate of the entire city...
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