Equilibrium finally came out on DVD yesterday, and, after months of wondering what the movie was like due to its limited release in theaters, I took a chance and bought it right away. It was one of the best blind buys I've ever made in my life. Aside from a few slow parts, everything about this movie is incredible. It's really a shame that the movie was given no support by its distributor, and no advertising as well. As much as I enjoy the Matrix, "Gunkata", the fighting style in this film, completely blows anything in the Matrix away. I was a little skeptical at first, because I've heard so many good things about the action scenes. Kurt Wimmer, the director of Equilibrium, had probably about a quarter of the budget that the Matrix did and ended up making equally impressive, if not better, action scenes. They simply have to be seen to be believed. A lot of people have classified this as an action movie, but the action definitely takes a backseat to the story and sci-fi elements. I'd say there's about 10 minutes worth of action in the entire movie, but all of it is relevant and doesn't seem tacked on, and it is also spaced out pretty well. All of the action is simply amazing. "Gunkata" is such a brilliant concept that you wonder why it hasn't been thought of before.
The performances are great as well. Once again, Christian Bale proves that he needs to be in more movies, and that he should be getting more recognition. This guy has everything that could make him one of the best actors of our time. All of the other performances are pretty decent, although I couldn't quite believe that Taye Diggs is supposed to be some badass. He seems like too much of a nice and down to earth guy. But maybe that's just me.
Once again, this just goes to show that movie distributors have no clue. It also proves that a director with talent and great ideas can produce an amazing movie with a smaller budget. At least go out and give this one a rent. Approach the movie with no expectations, and you might just come out a fan. This movie definitely is not for everyone, so keep an open mind while watching it. Definitely recommended.
Nick
I wanted to see this for a long time and it's nice to hear a strong fan recommendation. I'll have to add it to my wish list.
Dont speak to quick Dolph, Matrix 2 has yet to strut its ne action stuff
I doubt that ANYONE in"Equlibrium"could loose in a fight to a rabbit.
I saw it at the pictures, not expecting too much, and really enjoyed it. The idea of a society without emotion, controlled via drugs, is fascinating and could have sustained an even more philosphical approach. Definitely worth watching!
Yes but there is a cop-out ending because Sean Pertwee, the Joseph Stalin styled "father" figure doesn't fight in the end - which is a shame, cause I'd love to see his ass die horribly whilst explaining the merits of a totaliratist state
Wow, way to spoil the ending there buddy.
"It's like they took 1984 and turned it into THE MATRIX for some reason."
I remember hearing good things when this was in the theaters, but I couldn't see it until it was released on DVD last Tuesday.
I was disappointed.
It's really that the central premise seemed like a watered down version of 1984. With kung-fu thrown in. Maybe if the future world had been more compelling, but I don't believe it ever established anything other than the Orwellian state and the requisite lack of emotions.
Which leads to the art and the explosions of emotions that Christian Bale is supposed to feel. They came across, at least to me, as heartwarming rather than heart-wrenching. Not good. I mean, a puppy?
I don't think the movie was horrible. I liked the gun-fights quite a bit, but they seemed kind of tacked on to the central plot. A garnish more than an integral ingredient.
*SPOILER!*
I was kind of hoping that Bale's character would go ahead and extinguish the rebel group at the end. It would have been much more interesting to see the main character go through the world of emotions but embrace the status quo anyway. At least it would have been keeping with the Orwell influence. Instead we get another upstart who topples the mighty empire. Oh well. I thought it would have been neat.
*END SPOILER*
I just caught this film and was unimpresed. I've seen it done better, but it did seem to reiterate the fact that films are really going in a new direction now in the path of the Matrix..trying to mix the philosophical with the FX. Unfortunately in some cases the story is dry so if it wasn't for the FX i'd be bored to pieces. Sometimes i think some of the high ratings are coming from guys who are so mesmerized by the eyecandy in movies these days that it's clouded their judgement. :)
Btw it's getting overdone, I saw a clip of "Kill Bill" and between that and "Charlies Angels" all these dazzling martial art-walk on air fight sequences are losing their spunk
Post Edited (05-18-03 11:00)
Tell,could any of the"Equlibrium"characters be defeated in a fight by Bugs Bunny?
Johnny Blister wrote:
> Tell,could any of the"Equlibrium"characters be defeated in a
> fight by Bugs Bunny?
OK Johnny, where the hell are you getting this from???
http://www.grudge-match.com
Johnny Blister wrote:
> http://www.grudge-match.com
Look, Grudge Match sucks, it used to be good and then they went off in a bizzarre direction using unheard of people and the damn fan boys keep tilting the vote. It doesnt even matter to them, if they like the name it wins.
Anyways, back on topic, I saw Matrix 2 today and to my surprise, they had a commercial for Equilibrium on DVD. Just thought you all may like to know that it seems to be getting support now
YOU DIFAMED GRUDGE MATCH!
YOU MUST DIE!
DDDDDDDDDDDIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
*axes Evan3*
It seems like Equilibrium is simply a love it or hate it film, for the most part. Some people really dug it, like myself and Conrad. Other people didn't like it so much, which is cool too. Truthfully a majority of the reason that I loved it was because of the action, which definitely was something new and different in when it comes to the action-aspect of the movie. The story might've been a little dry in places, but I didn't mind it, and thought it was pretty well done. But I can definitely see why some people didn't like it. One person's trash is another's treasure, as they say.
Nick