Matrix > X2 > Reloaded > X-men
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Matrix > X2 > Reloaded > X-men
I agree with Kidnemo for a second time today :p
Heh, interesting 'greater than OR less than' comparisons Kidnemo.
Well, I never saw Equilibrium, but I completely agree with despair on the lacking nature of the fight scenes in MR.
They lacked tension and motivation. Smith's MO was generally just to muse with Neo and then try to beat him up, the agents' motivation was unclear and they were generally ineffective in this movie, and anything involving Neo was so lopp-sided it became uninteresting. The only fight of any real interest other than the aesthetic was between Seraph and Neo, mostly because the seemed like an even match (evenly matched fights are the best because fighters have to think of inventive or interesting strategies to get the one up) -although, even this scene was almost tarnished with the cheese of, "you never really get to know someone until you fight them." *rolls eyes*
One thing I don't like is how stiff and slow the fights can be...for instance, the first three agents Neo fights were just plain slow...the first agent's initial attack was a spinning heel kick to Neo's head (the lamest of all initial attacks), and damn if I and everyone in my club can't throw faster, better kicks than that...and we don't even have our frames sped up. It seems like there were far too many instances of that in the movie...having someone like the previously-rumored Jet Li in the movie would have gone a long way to making it more authentic. -and it was generally painfully obvious when a CG model was being subbed in for someone, but it's probably more so since we're all familiar and expecting that technique now.
ALSO: The movie really needed a strong antagonist. Agent Smith, my favorite character of the first, has been toned down considerably, as even a huge group of him can only hold up Neo for a bit. He's no longer threatening, although the scenes from Revolution make it look like he'll be brought into prominence again. The Architect was an interesting character, but again, not really an antagonist. Most of the programs and sentinels only come across as obstacles; motive-less. Part of the problem is of course the lack of any discernable actuality in the film, and thus it's hard to make anything seem important when it could just as likely be an illusion. A problem the first film was much more considerate of.
LASTLY: From all I've heard here, seen on the net, and come up with through analysis with my friends, there is NO definitive conclusion on the nature of the plot, the history of the Matrix, etc. It's starting to have the trappings of existential absurdity, and if it goes that way, it'd almost be as bad as Keanu Reeves waking up in the next movie and going, "Whoa, it was all a dream. Or was it (cue "Duh Duh DUH")?" I think this was a definite shortcoming of the film. I realize that it was intended to be enigmatic, and leaves things for the next, but I feel a bit cheated as a viewer when I can't come to any conclusions about the story, at all, even after thinking about it much longer than the film deserves.
The fact that Seraph was played by HK actor, who knows martial arts quite well, added to authenicity of the scene. He moved very well and gracefully(and he was ALSO a program, so you cant really say that programs/machines can only move in robotic ways), unlike Agents, and Smith. Maybe he a better program :)Quote:
Originally posted by FuryFox
Well, I never saw Equilibrium, but I completely agree with despair on the lacking nature of the fight scenes in MR.
They lacked tension and motivation. Smith's MO was generally just to muse with Neo and then try to beat him up, the agents' motivation was unclear and they were generally ineffective in this movie, and anything involving Neo was so lopp-sided it became uninteresting. The only fight of any real interest other than the aesthetic was between Seraph and Neo, mostly because the seemed like an even match (evenly matched fights are the best because fighters have to think of inventive or interesting strategies to get the one up) -although, even this scene was almost tarnished with the cheese of, "you never really get to know someone until you fight them." *rolls eyes*
Who knows, maybe I will like Reloaded more after watching it on dvd.
Indeed, the Matrix as a metaphor for the operations of a computer simulation really just doesn't hold up too well sometimes. What exactly is happening as they fight agents anyway? Is their data trying to assert heirarchical advantage over the agents' data?Quote:
Originally posted by Despair
He moved very well and gracefully(and he was ALSO a program, so you cant really say that programs/machines can only move in robotic ways), unlike Agents, and Smith. Maybe he a better program :)
Another thing about the fight scenes: They are typically over-choreographed...meaning, that actors will often move into the next motion of their "fight" (like a block, or ducking, attacking, whatever) at the same time the catalyst for that motion occurs. In otherwords, at times there is no action/reaction...actors are throwing a punch to be blocked, and the defenders are blocking where they know a punch will be. It's like those bad swashbuckling movies where the actors just hit their swords together without any intention of actually hitting each other.
Perhaps, in context of the movie, it makes sense for the characters to be "in tune" with the flow of the data, or something, but that doesn't mean it makes for good fightin' :)
Hmm after reading most of this board I wonder if some of you enjoy any movies at all. Some of you are WAY overcritical. Some of you talk as if you write scipts and produce movies yourselves.
Try sitting back, and actually ENJOYING what your seeing. Stop whining about how little tiny sections of CG dont look right.
LOL @ the guy who said Neos wrist doesnt look right during a part of the Smith fight. Your a sad little boy. :D
IMO, the movie ruled and the fights WERE FUCKING SPECTACULAR!
BTW, I agree the ZION orgy was out of place. Maybe if it wasnt so long. Other than that I loved it.
Well, Did you actually read me whining about CGI not looking right?? As for just sitting back and enjoying whats being displayed on the screen, I wish I could. See, the story didnt bother me one bit here, its some of the action(and am I wrong to Actually expect a GOOD action from the action film?) was done in less spectacular manner, some of the people claiming it to be.
I'm USUALLY one of the MOST FORGIVING people when it comes to movies. I tend to like most of what I see, but here its one of the more rare cases when things didnt work out for me.
Mog, if you liked it, great for you, just dont whine because some of us didnt like it.
For those looking to get a more philosophical look at Reloaded: http://www.corporatemofo.com/stories/051803matrix.htm
I know, it's like that guy who met a girl, went back to her place and she tied him up and had a man dressed as Batman come out and sodomize him.Quote:
Originally posted by EvilMog007
Hmm after reading most of this board I wonder if some of you enjoy any movies at all. Some of you are WAY overcritical. Some of you talk as if you write scipts and produce movies yourselves.
Try sitting back, and actually ENJOYING what your seeing. Stop whining about how little tiny sections of CG dont look right.
I mean...this guy actually had the balls to complain! What's up with that? Can't he just enjoy it?