Equilibrium

Rating:
Summary: Solid action, good plot
Review: Many say that this movie is a rip off of the matrix, 1984, and all those others. Sure, it is simular to them, but not a rip off. Most of those people also seem to think that the matrix is an original idea. Don't want to dissapoint them, but it isn't. What about dark city. I only say that to make the point that the matrix isn't really all that great; if you go by these standards.

I thought this was a great movie and I recommend it to anyone who likes action. The plot is simular to 1984, which in my opinion is good, I loved that book, and this movie does it no shame. Give it a chance, I would say 8 out of 10 people would love it.

Rating:
Summary: great movie!
Review: What a terrific movie! Equilibrium embraces exactly what would happen if we couldn't feel. Christian Bale can act! This man reels you in and keeps you hooked through the whole movie. I felt really connected with him and felt all the emotions! This is only 1 of 3 movies that I own that when I put it on I have to sit and watch it.

What a great movie!

Rating:
Summary: Under Rated
Review: For a good sci-fi,action movie you should give Equillibrium a look.Hard to believe this film was not released on the big screen here in NZ.I saw a pirate copy from the internet and immediately took a liking to the story ,characters and action sequences.Christian Bale great as the "Grammaton Cleric",a fantastic title for an enforcer of law.I bought the DVD as soon as it was available.Recommend people who liked "Blade Runner","Matrix",The Fifth element" and "1984" give it go.

Rating:
Summary: If you love yourself you need this movie
Review: My gosh! I wish I could use a gun like that!! I love Equilibrium. I've shown it to all my friends, and I have not had anyone come up to me and tell me "That was a waste of time" I love the story line. I feel that everyone in this movie did a wonderful acting job. Awesome Action scenes. If you like the matrix you'll love this movie!

Rating:
Summary: MUST SEE MOVIE
Review: This is a must see movie for all action sci fi fans. This movie is up at the top of my list with the matrix. It for sure takes gun fighting to the next level above the matrix. To bad it went straight to video I would have loved to have seen it on the big screen. Everyone i know that has seen this movie movie loved it. One of the best things is it wasn't ruined by any mushy love scenes it's 100% action. I can only hope therewill be a part 2.

Rating:
Summary: GARBAGE
Review: THIS MOVIE IS SO STUPID, WHOEVER THOUGHT OF PUTTING THAT LINE SAYING FORGET ABOUTH THE MATRIX ON THE BOTTOM SHOULD BE SMACKED. THIS MOVIE MADE NO SENSE WHATSOEVER, CRISTIAN BALE LOOKS LIKE A BOGUS NEO. THE PLOT WAS SO STUPID (ITS ILLIGEAL TO HAVE FEELING OF ANY KIND)WHAT TYPE OF GARBAGE IS THIS IT MADE NO SENSE DOESNT SMILING REPRESENT EMOTION WHICH I SAW THROUGHOUT THE MOVIE, THE FIGHT SCENES WERE SO FAKE AND THEY WERE BLOODY AND GOREY, THE FINAL FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN CHRISTIAN BALE AND TAYE DIGGS WAS SO SHORT YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE MORE LONGER AND MORE EXCITING THAN IT WAS BUT INSTEAD TAYE DIGGS GETS HALF OF HIS FACE CHOPPED OFF WITHIN A MINUTE OF THE FIGHT. DONT BUY THIS MOVIE THERE ARE PLENTY OF MOVIES THAT DIDNT MAKE IT TO THE BIG SCREEN THAT ARE BETTER THAN THIS CRAP.

Rating:
Summary: b-movie'ish, but still cool to watch
Review: The violence in this movie's pretty sick. If you like seing graphic depictions of arms and legs being broken, then check this out. For all the tai chi style of martial arts I would've expected a hong kong star in the lead role instead. Its hard to describe the way this production is other than to say it's the type that you'd see direct to video or premium channel. The production is great for what their budget was no doubt. I still felt like I was short changed since the quality of the actor ensamble in this film is insane! I'd recommend a viewing but I don't feel like I want to watch it again for the grim style that it was shot in. Also the violence is intense, I wouldn't recommend it for people that don't like seeing gory hand to hand combat.

Rating:
Summary: Falls well short for a good idea
Review: Kurt Wimmer's vision of a city which has no feelings because feelings cause chaos and social unbalance, and so everyone takes an anti-feeling drug and remains under the control of "Father", is not a bad idea in a sort of "1984" or "Brave New World" fame (Hell let's even go one step further and include The Matrix there) and is certainly one we should be reminded about now and again, but Equilibrium never really does itself justice by the time the credits roll.

A lot of the movie is fun, but also contrived and certainly the idea of Gunkata (a martial arts with guns) is a great idea but sadly there is not enough of it done well to really warrant watching this movie for that alone. So what else is there? Well there is Christian Bale's Cleric character who is an advanced Gunkata professional and Father's last line of defence in snubbing out the resistance (anyone who stops taking their meds and feels) who decides to see what all the feeling fuss is about. After half an hour of seeing Bale let his emotions pour out across the screen, as he touches window panes with water running down them and then cries to himself, you just wish that he will whip out the guns sooner of later or go back to taking his meds. Unfortunately the vast amount of running time is in the weepy department.

Equilibrium simply fails because of a bad script and maybe a director who is a little inexperienced on this front (Wimmer is actually a screenplay writer and if his script is not good then what more can you say about the direction of the same?) and it shows. The film is not all bad and certainly is maybe worth viewing if there is nothing better to do, but does not live up to the hype or the great premise that it boasts. Even those who would give it credit as not being a Matrix-rip-off, and it isn't really... okay maybe just a tad... will still have to judge this film on its own merit. There are some good scenes but overall the movie is not a good one and certainly the "cause" for "freeing the feelers" is a little odd especially when they are mowing down the "non-feelers" by the truckload. I am not sure if Equilibrium really spent much time in Ethics 101.

The acting is not bad though but the ending is silly more than the great twist that it tries hard to pull off. The city of Equilibrium and the society itself looks good but does remind me of the lucas movie - THX 1138 (And THX 1138 is a far better movie). In short, more Gunkata, less weepiness and a better finish would have saved this one from going the wrong side of three stars.

Rating:
Summary: ALEXS CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS
Review: Highlights: Style; SFX; fight scenes; Christian Bale's performance
Lowpoints: Underdeveloped characters/themes; choppy editing

Conclusion: This ain't Matrix, but this ain't no rip-off either. 'Equilibrium' might borrow some of its visual style from the Wachowskis' creation, but it holds its own as a futuristic tale about the corruption of society.
Law states people are no longer allowed to feel, and have to periodically inject themselves with an anti-emotional vaccine. Bale's character works as one of the watchers, who delivers those who refuse to abide by the rules to 'the main guy'. One day, he doesn't take the pill, feels horrible about some killed dogs, and rises against the government.
Okay, so there isn't much to the plot, but it's supported well by an emotional performance from Bale, astounding set designs, perfectly choreographed beautiful fighting scnes (the movie has its own extreme style of fighting, involving a lot of wireworks and computers). The finale isn't disappointing either - if you're looking for above-average action with an apparent social subtext, don't dismiss 'Equilibrium'.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good movie, but NOT better than the Matrix
Review: The hype on both sides of the movie reviews (those who love it and those who hate it) are simply untrue. No, this movie is NOT better than the Matrix, and nor do its gun scenes at the end put the Matrix police lobby gunfight to shame. Yes, it IS a really good movie that has a great cast, a interesting story and a rockin ending. This movie only cost between 20 to 30 million to make, but it does NOT have a B-movie feel to it.

Equilibrium takes place in the future, in which a totolitarian regime as banned sensing and feelings (everyone takes a daily feeling inhibitor) as a method for controlling conflict. Christian Bale truly steals the show in his role as the cleric John Peterson (basically a death dealer for the regime) who starts to doubt the system, but there are fine performances by Sean Bean, Angus MacFadyen and Taye Diggs.

The tension in Equilibrium increases as the movie progresses. The front end of Equilibrium almost has a Gattaca-like feel to it, while the back-end has some serious butt kicking, along with some Total Recall-like shockers. I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.