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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) is a top government agent responsible for enforcing the law that bans emotion in the futuristic state of Libria. This is a world at peace, where war is a distant memory, and so is music, art and poetry. Here, emotion is illegal and is punishable by death. But when Preston is forced to kill one of his fellow agents he begins, however, to question the system and decides to fight against these cruel new laws.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
94 of 96 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.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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!
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Equilibrium is a surprisingly good film and sorely underrated. Set in a future where emotions are banned, as is anything that may engender emotion such as music and literature, the storyline may conjure thoughts of 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. Make no mistake however; Equilibrium is no copy of those films.
After World War 3, it is decided that emotions lead to war and the prevention of further war can only be achieved by preventing the population from feeling. Every day the population have to take their prescribed mood dampening pills. Christian Bale stars as Preston, a law enforcement agent, who seeks out and destroys 'sense offenders', people who stop taking their medication and who actively read and listen to music. When Preston's partner (played by Sean Bean) is found to be a sense offender and he is forced to kill him, Preston starts questioning his world and the part he plays in it. He decides to take the dangerous path of skipping his pills and starting to feel.
This is no high octane, special effects packed film. There are a few, well choreographed martial arts fight scenes but for the most part the film relies on a good story set in a sterile, featureless and soulless setting to set the atmosphere. The movie has been well produced and the cinematography is first class. This is a film that belongs in the collection of any fan of science fiction.
After World War 3, it is decided that emotions lead to war and the prevention of further war can only be achieved by preventing the population from feeling. Every day the population have to take their prescribed mood dampening pills. Christian Bale stars as Preston, a law enforcement agent, who seeks out and destroys 'sense offenders', people who stop taking their medication and who actively read and listen to music. When Preston's partner (played by Sean Bean) is found to be a sense offender and he is forced to kill him, Preston starts questioning his world and the part he plays in it. He decides to take the dangerous path of skipping his pills and starting to feel.
This is no high octane, special effects packed film. There are a few, well choreographed martial arts fight scenes but for the most part the film relies on a good story set in a sterile, featureless and soulless setting to set the atmosphere. The movie has been well produced and the cinematography is first class. This is a film that belongs in the collection of any fan of science fiction.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking and eerie
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and it will stay with me on many levels. Contrary to some of the other reviewers, I felt the 'no emotion' difficulty in the plot was handled very... Read more
Published 1 month ago by myheart78
5.0 out of 5 stars
George Orwell meets Kung-fu!
Can't understand why this film had such a muted release - good cast and an interesting concept - a world without emotions. Read more
Published 2 months ago by David Pennie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Too many comparisons have been made to The Matrix for my liking.
This film stands high in its own right as an excellent rendition of
the "alternative future"... Read more
This film stands high in its own right as an excellent rendition of
the "alternative future"... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Frank Bell
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is kinda par for the course
This is one of those love it\hate it kinda films. The 'gun-fu' fights are silly to the point that this film could have been made a comedy simply with a tiny bit of editing, the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Francis, A
3.0 out of 5 stars
Action film with a kernel of morality ale
Christian Bale follows in the footsteps of Matrix' action scenes, offing more people per hour than any other as he saves the world from the clutches of "Father" in the 26th... Read more
Published 5 months ago by jasonhad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christian Bale CRACKS IT with a vengence.
A hard hitting and deeply psychological thriller dealing with intense human moral dilemmas,it asks the question what is it that really makes us human? . Read more
Published 7 months ago by Monkey King Of The Mountains
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 14 months ago by c .boyle
1.0 out of 5 stars
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 15 months ago by Chris
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 16 months ago by gerry latawiec
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 18 months ago by Sarah Louise Whittle
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