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Equilibrium [2003]
![Equilibrium [2003]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412635AK5NL._SL160_.jpg)
DVD Technical Information: In the futuristic state of Libria, emotion is illegal and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Clerick John Preston (Christian Bale) is the top government agent responsible for destroying those who resist the rules. But forced to kill one of his fellow agents, he begins to question his loyalty. Now the man who has been trained to enforce the strict laws suddenly becomes the only person capable of overthrowing it.
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Editorial
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
Editorial
Special Features
Editorial
Synopsis
In a futuristic society where the government requires the people to stay tranquil and submissive by taking a psychological drug, people no longer have emotions. Because of this, there are no more wars. But when one of the enforcement agents realizes that maybe peaceful oblivion is not the answer, he thinks about overthrowing his oppressors.
Editorial
From the Back Cover
Two men. One battle. No compromise.
An Entertaining Adrenaline Ride
Review date: 2008-08-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
OK, we've seen this type of movie before. The oppressive future governments ruling with violence and without remorse fighting against rebels wanting to be free. Equilibrium does this style of movie so much better. How? I hear you ask. With the help of Christian Bale. My review will be in three different stages. They are the story, the characters (or character) and the review which is just my opinion on the whole thing.
The Story: In the beginning of the 21st century, World War Three ravages the Earth and almost obliterates mankind. The few survivors realise that a fourth world war would mean the end of mankind once and for all. The world is taken over by "The Father" and his Tetragrammaton government. The father believes that the cause for WW3 was human feeling and in order to prevent that it must be eradicated. They have created "prozium" which is a medication that prevents feeling. But they must also locate and destroy every piece of art, music and other such items that would cause a human to feel. John Preston is a high ranking Grammaton Cleric and is on the front line when bringing "sense offenders" to justice. The only problem is that one day when accidentally smashing one of his prozium injections, he starts to feel. Feeling is the only thing that makes us human and Preston seeks to destroy the government that is destroying basic humanity.
The Character: John Preston is played by Christian Bale, and I must say the character is portrayed superbly. John Preston is a man who has no emotion and is dedicated to the cause of the Grammaton. He's so dedicated that he even allowed his wife to be executed for being a "sense offender." Preston also executed his partner and friend for being a "sense offender." This goes to show you the ruthlessness of Preston when he believes in his cause. The interesting part of him, however, is when he goes through the transformation of being completely emotionless to feeling things for the very first time.
He begins to dream of his wife, he begins to seek out art and music in the pursuit of emotional stimulation. Seeing him develop and seeing Bale pull it off is what makes this film tremendous.
The Review: When I first started watching this film I thought it would just bore the life out of me and I almost switched it off about 10 minutes in. This is simply due to it starting off as completely emotionless, sure the action's cool but without character emotion you're not getting much more than the odd gun fight. The film truly comes alive with the transformation of Christian Bales character. His acting ability really shines when he has to display a character experiencing emotions for the very first time.
The film is dark and at times haunting at us being reminded that such a totalitarian government could come to fruition in the near future. Until that time comes we have this film to tide us over. The action scenes are really intense and something this film holds unique to what has become quite a cliché sub genre. The supporting cast also do their job in holding their own with such a talented actor.
It's an enjoyable movie all round and I think everyone will enjoy it. It takes a while to get started but once it does it becomes something very special.
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Reviews
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review date: 2008-05-16 Rating: 10 out of 10
I am nearly rendered speechless by this film, fantastic action, brilliant plot and great actors! I think this film deserves a lot more credit than it gets from critics, saying its a complete and utter rip-off of the matrix is a bit harsh....NO, not a bit, very. The only thing thats remotely close is the action and costumes, the plot line and setting and characters(all the things that really matter!) are different. I prefer to say inspired by instead of ripped off! A brilliant film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Under-rated action movie with more brains than you'd expect
Review date: 2008-03-20 Rating: 8 out of 10
Let's be honest, Equilibrium is never going to be hailed as an action classic. But once you see the film you have to question why this film doesn't get that sort of recognition.
The plot of the film is heavily influenced by books like 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, the latter of which it all but plagiarises in places. Set in a near-future post-apocalyptic world where humanity has decided to repress it's emotional impulses by using a legally compulsory drug, cue the inevitable conflict between those who enforce the law and those who want to keep their emotional responses. A nice edge to the film is that though the emotionally-repressive government is initially cast as the villains of the piece they do have a good argument for their actions which brings you, at l;east partially, onto their side in places. Christian Bale plays the head enforcer of the regime who accidentally misses a dose and ends up trying to bring down the system he has spent his life defending, Bale as ever is excellent and basically has to carry this thing on his own for about 90% of the movie, he does an excellent job throughout and cannot be faulted.
This film isn't all about the action (in fact, after the opening sequence there's a surprisingly long wait until another action scene) but when that action does come it's absolutely spectacular. The principle character uses a fictional martial art called the Gun Kata in combat, the idea behind which is that by being completely clinical and analytical about a gun battle he is able to predict where his opponents are most likely to be without having to look and also know where they will fire so he can dodge their shots. Make no mistake, this is a martial arts movie with guns. Movements are robotic and precise, looking well practiced and skilled thanks to fantastic choreography and effects work. This movie's action sequences look nothing short of spectacular.
This movie was badly advertised (just look at the DVD tag line) as a matrix rip-off. The really undersold a film that, though it doubtless is similar in places, is completely different to that franchise. Is Equilibrium better than The Matrix? No, but it easily beats the two inferior Matrix sequels along with pretty much every other western movie in the 'legacy of John Woo' action sub-genre.
In a market flooded with bad matrix rip-offs and cheesy effects flicks with a plot too small to fill the back of a DVD box, Equilibrium is a pleasant surprise. It's got brains and an excellently constructed plot, an excellent central performance from the much-underused Bale, and some of the most mind-blowing action scenes you'll ever see. If you're a fan of action movies, if you lamented the clumsy and unsatisfying Matrix sequels, if you just want a solid movie that'll bear up under repeat viewing, then Equilibrium may well be just what you're looking for.
If only I could give this more stars!
Review date: 2008-02-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is one of those very rare films which isn't purely about entertainment but tries to portray an important message about society, while still remaining entertaining. It is set amongst a colony of people in a post-WW3 world, where everyone must take daily shots of an anti-feeling drug to supress their human emotions. This is all part of a plan to stop feelings like hate and anger, which in turn will stop war and violence. Unfortunately, it also stops people feeling love, happiness and any kind of enjoyment.
Rebels against the drug plan and 'contraband' like books and art, are sought out and destroyed by a team of specialists, headed by Christian Bale as the Cleric Preston, who after a series of events, begins to feel things himself. This film shows just how great an actor the man is for so many reasons, the chief one being the way he expresses his feelings as they begin to surface; his expression of childlike wonder looking at a rainbow, his need to touch different surfaces for the different sensations and being driven to tears from hearing music for the first time. It's beautiful and positively heart-warming. Equally amazing to watch is everyone else's reaction (or lack of) to events that are pretty much humanly impossible to misunderstand, such as Preston's partner being confused as to why someone would keep an animal if not to eat it.
As the majority of the colony remains emotionless, Preston faces a real challenge trying to keep his new-found feelings and his quest to further them a secret, made very difficult by the masses of watchful colleagues, in particular his suspicious partner, a man who, like Preston himself, has a keen intuition for those who might be 'sense offenders' aka those who are feeling feelings.
This film really makes you think, that while human emotion to a degree causes great harm to the world, life wouldn't be worth living without it; it's getting the balance right that matters. The brilliant cast, an excellent score and a perfectly paced plot that doesn't rely on action scenes to make it exciting (though the final part of the film is filled with some really great ones) make this an absolute must for everybody's collection.
my best
Review date: 2008-01-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
this film is my favourite film ever. the storyline ihas no match, the action is short but oh so sweet. the acting is second to none. though is it sci-fi so rent it then make up your mind.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Emily Watson
Sean Bean
Christian Bale
Taye Diggs
Angus MacFadyen
Creators:
Christian Bale (Primary Contributor)
Emily Watson (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Momentum Pictures
Manufacturer: Momentum Pictures
EAN: 5060049140407
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2003-10-06
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003-07-09
Language: English (Original Language)