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Amazon.co.uk Review
A broad science fiction thriller in a classic vein, Equilibrium takes a respectable stab at a Fahrenheit 451-like cautionary fable. The story finds Earth's post-World War III humankind in a state of severe emotional repression; if no-one feels anything, no-one will be inspired by dark passions to attack their neighbours. Writer-director Kurt Wimmer's monochromatic, Metropolis-influenced cityscape provides an excellent backdrop to the heavy-handed mission of John Preston (Christian Bale), a top cop who busts "sense offenders" and crushes sentimental, sensual, and artistic relics from a bygone era. Predictably, Preston becomes intrigued by his victims and that which they die to cherish; he stops taking his mandatory, mood-flattening drug and is even aroused by a doomed prisoner (Emily Watson). Wimmer's wrongheaded martial arts/duelling guns motif is sheer silliness (a battle over a puppy doesn't help), but Equilibrium should be seen for Bale's moving performance as a man shocked back to human feeling. --Tom Keogh
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I caught this film by accident on Filmfour a while back, and never got round to seeing the end. As the film had grabbed me somewhat, I bought it.
Comparisons with The Matrix are a little unfair - apart from the fight scenes and the long-black coats, the films are completely different. In fact, I believe the film could have benefitted from a more Matrix-comparison-free marketing drive. I overlooked this one so many times in the video store because it looked like it was a cheap stright-to-rental rip-off of the Matrix, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
In terms of mood, pacing and general 'look' the film has a lot of similarities with Gattaca: another film set in a dystopian future where biochemical solutions erase the flaws inherent in the human condition and individuals find themselves pitted against these 'dehumanising' forces.
Again, like Gattaca, the film looks utterly stunning. Every shot is beautifully composed with careful attention to geometric detail.
Elements of Nineteen Eighty Four sit quietly in the background in the form of the patriarchal totalitarian leader of the society, 'Father', and his periodic addresses to the general public on giant wallscreens.
The fight scenes are very Matrixy though. The film has an odd choice of combat: the curious device of a 'Gun Kata' which is a sort of martial art for people with shooters that spring out from their sleeves. It's not overdone to the point of silliness though, and kind of works in an odd way.
I'm not a big fan of action/shooty films, but this one was really artful.
Comparisons with The Matrix are a little unfair - apart from the fight scenes and the long-black coats, the films are completely different. In fact, I believe the film could have benefitted from a more Matrix-comparison-free marketing drive. I overlooked this one so many times in the video store because it looked like it was a cheap stright-to-rental rip-off of the Matrix, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
In terms of mood, pacing and general 'look' the film has a lot of similarities with Gattaca: another film set in a dystopian future where biochemical solutions erase the flaws inherent in the human condition and individuals find themselves pitted against these 'dehumanising' forces.
Again, like Gattaca, the film looks utterly stunning. Every shot is beautifully composed with careful attention to geometric detail.
Elements of Nineteen Eighty Four sit quietly in the background in the form of the patriarchal totalitarian leader of the society, 'Father', and his periodic addresses to the general public on giant wallscreens.
The fight scenes are very Matrixy though. The film has an odd choice of combat: the curious device of a 'Gun Kata' which is a sort of martial art for people with shooters that spring out from their sleeves. It's not overdone to the point of silliness though, and kind of works in an odd way.
I'm not a big fan of action/shooty films, but this one was really artful.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What I found amazing about Equilibrium was the fact that although the subject matter was not unsimilar to these films (near future setting, elite orginization, with corruption in the ranks etc.) the director had achieved a believeable,dynamic,intruiging alternate reality, with possibly half the budget of other movies from its genre.
Christian Bale was well cast in the lead rolem, with his cold expression, and "chiseled" features relaying the sterile feel of the film. I felt Emily Watson was a little under used,having only brief scenes, it was hard to identify with her character but was still none the less a worth inclusion.
Christian Bale was well cast in the lead rolem, with his cold expression, and "chiseled" features relaying the sterile feel of the film. I felt Emily Watson was a little under used,having only brief scenes, it was hard to identify with her character but was still none the less a worth inclusion.
For all the re-hashed ideas,Equilibrium also generated its fair share of new concepts, most noteably the "Gun-Fu" fight scenes proving a refreshing change on the (done to death!) Bullet-Time/Wire Fliers that we now see in every second film we watch,also worth a mention is the interesting spin Equilibrium takes on the classic,all exploding,all shooting good VS. evil finale,without giving it away, it is probably more memorable than the majority of most recent films!
Because this film is yet to be released in Australia,I ordered it knowing almost nothing about it, Now that I have seen it,it will remain a crucial part of my DVD collection, I hope this review will encourage other buyers to live like the "Resistance" and do the same!
52 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
What a Brilliant Movie, and also an excellent preformance by Christian Bale!
But blind me, what a worthless Blu-Ray, the picture quality is the same as my upscaled DVD, in fact my DVD have even a better sound. However I was so looking forward to this release, and now I am just dissapointed I do hope that there will be a new release coming out sooner or later with true DTS and the stunning Blu-Ray picture qualiy that you expect.
Sorry guys, but I do not understand how some of you can praise the picture quality as it's rubbish for a BD!
I can just recommend to keep your old DVD, as it is the same feeling while watching (just with better DTS sound).
But blind me, what a worthless Blu-Ray, the picture quality is the same as my upscaled DVD, in fact my DVD have even a better sound. However I was so looking forward to this release, and now I am just dissapointed I do hope that there will be a new release coming out sooner or later with true DTS and the stunning Blu-Ray picture qualiy that you expect.
Sorry guys, but I do not understand how some of you can praise the picture quality as it's rubbish for a BD!
I can just recommend to keep your old DVD, as it is the same feeling while watching (just with better DTS sound).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
excellent film
equilibrium is fantastic,,better than the matrix i think. 1 u can watch over and over. watch it,buy it. u wont be disappointed
Published 2 months ago by c .boyle
A very, very, very badly made Matrix film
The review on the dvd box states "if you like The Matrix you'll love this"..... Err, you wont... I love the Matrix but hated this film... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Chris
interesting film
This stands up better than the Matrix and has a more interesting plot. Books and "culture" are banned in this authortarian society with people literally being toasted along with... Read more
Published 4 months ago by gerry latawiec
Cheesy however...
For a 1984 knock off and a serious lack of any kind of blood, Christian Bale pulls off a stone cold emotionless plank with aplomb. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sarah Louise Whittle
A great movie unknown to many.
Well I didn't know how this simple movie could become so addictive. The concept is original, the producing is great and we get to see Christian Bale at his best. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ana Luisa Oliveira
More fun than my review may suggest ...
An odd mixture of genuine Sci-Fi and action movie. Initially it's a morbid but effective view of a dystopian society where emotion is outlawed. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Shrewlord
This movie needed new proper Blu-Ray transfer
This UK release of Equilibrium on Blu-Ray is not so bad looking and sounding in fact.
But it do not cover the main problem - aspect ratio is 1.78:1 and not the original 2. Read more
But it do not cover the main problem - aspect ratio is 1.78:1 and not the original 2. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Vladlen Ionov
Awesome wake up call
This film is nothing like the Matrix at all in terms of what it is attempting to deliver. The Matrix is a straight forward analogy of our current wage slave culture and the fact... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Bansheee
great movie
+ the special effects seem realistic
+ the story is logical and easy to follow although the viewer is left to speculate who is good and who is bad till the end. Read more
+ the story is logical and easy to follow although the viewer is left to speculate who is good and who is bad till the end. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Odysseus
Christian Bale is brilliant in this
I love this film. Christian Bale is brilliant in this, they should have made some kind of sequel so we could see more of him doing his gun katas etc. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Green Book Addict Librarian
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