Equilibrium - My review

[Despair]

I didnt know anything about Equlibrium until a month and a half ago. I heard about science fiction project involving Cristian Bale, and it was coming out Winter of 2002, but that was it. And then one day, while browsing KFC message boards, I saw the link to CHUD.com preview of Equlibrium. And the moment I saw the screenshots from the film, I knew that I must see it. The sci-fi premise was interesting, and I think that Bale is great actor, so I started eagarly awaiting more news, and hoping for the trailer to surface. But things werent going as well as I hoped they would. Dimensions, studio distributing Equlibrium, didnt even bothered to created an official website for the film, and neither it had a trailer, or did almost any kind of advertising. The short trailer was shown few times on tv, but studio preferred to concentrate their attention on their recent horror release They instead. And what a shame it is. Finally, Equlibrium was released in limited run, in 20 top markets in US, Friday, December 6th, and I honestly hoping that good word of the mouth, will let it gather at least somewhat decent audience. It would be a great shame to see this film to come and dissapear to be lost on the shelves of Block Buster. Hopefully it wont.

I posted plenty of Equlibrium related threads here, trying to get as much attention for this film, as possible and its good to see that some of the people here had enjoyed this film.

Now, Lets talk about actual film.

In a futuristic world, a strict regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Clerick John Preston (Cristian Bale) is a top ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist the rules. Whe he misses a dose of Proseum, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce the strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the only person capable of overthrowing it.

And what an Amazing film it is. Even though the story itself borrows from 1984 and 451 Farenheiht, it still feels very fresh, with great chracters and cituations. There are many sad and touching moments, as Preston discovers the different feeling for the first time in his life. How he struggles between his believes and his feelings. The bland and bleak world of the future, where everything is the same and feelings are outlawed is frightening future. People that look more like a robots than people, who just live to continue the existance without real purpose. And one man who stands against the system.

Kurt Whimmer direction is spot on. The films budget was only about 20 million dollars, but it looks like 2 times as much. The direction is extremely stylish, without over using it. The sad and dramatic moments done just right, and Action scenes are Amazingly set, choreographed and shot. Whimmer doesnt overuses slow motion, quick cutting and other techniques that many of Hollywood directors tend to rely on now days. Equlibrium really feels original, even though some of the simularities to the films like Matrix will be drawn by some people.

Actor performances were excellent. Cristian Bale is the star here, and thats his show. He alway been a great actor, and here he delivers great performance in both acting and action scenes. Scenes with him discovering human feelings are touching. Powerful scenes, as he sees scene at the Dog Pound, him remembering his wife, and mixed feeling about Emmily Watson character, scenes with puppy he saves, when he discovers joy of music or death of rebels he was trying to save, are truly great moments. Rest of the cast is also very good. Taye Diggs, as overzealos new partner of Preston, who is trying to make the big name of himself, Emmily Watson as Sense Offender woman, Bale character has in custody, and who he finds strangely attracted to. Sean Bean as old partner of Preston, and Prestons son who is very creepy at the beginning, but who has a secret of his own later in the film. All of the performance were good.

When coming to see this film, dont expect the full on Action film, since Equlibrium is not it. Its an Action-Drama, but Action it has is something that WILL BLOW YOU AWAY. I personally never felt bored for all of the duration, and there were plenty of tense and action packed moments. Gramaton Clerics are practitioners of Gun-Kata, martial art discipline based around guns, that allows the master to be extremely efficient and deadly in the combat, and at the same time to be able to protect himself from the opposition. And what discipline is it. Action scenes using Gun-Kata are amazing. Cristian Bale did most of the action scenes, fights and stunts himself, and mant of those were one time takes. Actors and director really poored their talents into this film and it shows. Your breath will be taken way by what you will see on the screen. There are about 5 major Action set pieces in the film, and every one is original and I willing to bet that many of the action moments from this film are destined to become copied in the future films, as it happened to Matrix. Speaking of which, people will say that Equlibrium tries to copy Matrix, which I think it totally incorrect. There are no wire work in Equlibrium, and all the action was show in real time, and choreography is truly wonderful. The end sequence of Preston attacking the heavy guarded building is little simular to lobby shootout scene in Matrix, but done with much more energy and grace. Simply speaking, Cristian Bale kicks Keanu Reevs ass here. Swordfighting scenes are also amazing and fast. Both Bale and Diggs are great in them, and perform on the level, many real action stars wished they could.

For the low budget film, Equlibrium has great special visual fx. Big Metropolis of th Future, surrounded by the bad lands and ruins. Incredible towers of grey concrete and glass, huge blimps with tv screens flying in the air, armored cars patrolling the streets and walkways, all done nicely. Sure, the digital work here cant compete with huge budgeted behemoths like Attack of the Clones, but what it has is nice. Music is also good, and fits to mood and feel of the film.

At the end, I feel I must applaud the director Kurt Wimmer, Cristian Bale and rest of the crew for making this film, and giving me one of the most exciting films I ever seen and definately one of the best films this year. If you have it playing in theater near you, grab the opportunity and see it before it dissapears. It really worth it, and I cant reccomend it enough.

I myself cant wait for the dvd, and I'm sure it will be one of the often watched films in my library. As for Kurt Wimmer, I predict he will have a great future. He has a talent and sense of style, many directors wish they had. I cant wait to see more info on his next project, vampire action film. Also watch out for Gun-Kata, I'm sure it will become a new sensation in Hollywood.

[Korian]

Nice review Despair.

Checked it out today and loved it too, some of the greatest action sequences ever in a Movie esp the close range gun fights and sword fights.

As far as the pacing like Despair said it's an action drama, but there is still jaw dropping sequences. I also liked how they would snap each others bones during fights.

Sad that Dimmension buried this Movie, but if word of mouth is good I hear it may open wider.

Go see it and support this one!

[Hot Like Wasabi]

How many people were their in the theater? I think 2 other people were their when I saw it, lol. But damn this movie kicked ass.

[Korian]

When I saw it, there were probally less than 10 people, but this was at a matinee.

[Despair]

Same at mine. There were about 10 people other than me and my wife, and it was good to see them having good time and enjoying the film. I was really surprised to see it plaing in one of the big rooms in the theater. Usually they dump smaller films into smaller rooms. It was a blast to see it on the biggest screen

[Salsashark]

Well seeing as it's playing at Mayfair I think I will be going to see this soon. Thanks Despair for impressions

[Despair]

You're welcome. Definately go and see it. This film needs as much support as possible.

I probably will try to see it again this Wednesday.

[ssbomberman]

Excellent impressions. I know I will enjoy this film...but IT"S NOT PLAYING ANYWHERE NEAR ME...I hope it comes for even a week, so I can catch it...we got Spirited Away for 5 days, that's it and I missed my chance to see it...so hopefully this film will make it, if not, I will wait and buy the DVD...

[Despair]

I'm sure you will enjoy it Ssbomberman. Hopefully, good word of the mouth will lead to Miramax releasing it in more theaters.

It does the action in the tradition of the best HK action films, and at the same time is original.

[Gondolin]

It was an adventure to catch this movie last weekend (I was staying in VT at a buddy's, and the closest theatres playing Equilibrium were in Hartford, CT), but I'd say it was well worth it. The plot certainly wasn't perfect (though I'll admit that it picked up at the end), and a few scenes were cheesy, but the real reason to watch this movie's the action. And hot damn that was some of the coolest action I've seen in quite some time! Gun-kata is an awesome concept which was, thankfully, done justice in the film - despite the low-budgetedness that was fairly apparent throughout much of it. My only real complaint was the casting of Emily Watson. I'm sure she's a great actress and all, but - and I realize that this is extremely shallow - is she ever ugly. I just couldn't feel for her, which hurt that aspect of the film for me. That, and Equilibrium also needed (and deserved) a larger budget to flesh it out, and maybe get ILM on the job. Well, okay, so I've two complaints... but that last one's directed at whomever didn't have the vision/taste to better fund the film.

I liked it, and will certainly be seeing it again.

Gon