Equilibrium On DVD
Film // Jim // 14th August 2003
According to the dictionary, the word equilibrium means:
“A condition in which all acting influences are cancelled by others,
resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system.”
This leads me to believe that Equilibrium, while not a perfect film, is probably
the most perfectly titled film ever conceived. The director Kurt Wimmer is clearly
a conceptual genius, he has constructed a film whose very elements cancel each
other out leaving the viewer in a blank, non-emotional state similar to that
of the oppressed masses in this futuristic action flick.
Allow me to demonstrate:
| Positive | Negative | |
| Great actors such as Christian Bale, Taye Diggs and Emily Watson all giving good performances. David Hemmings pops up at one stage. | Sean Pertwee and (truly there is no god) Brian Conley. | |
| Lets be kind and call them “homages” to great works like 1984, Fahrenheit 451 and Blade Runner. If you are going to copy something at least copy something with a bit of class. | Ripping off The Matrix at every opportunity: Pumping techno/rock music starting in the background? Someone is about to get a nicely choreographed, slow-motion kicking in a sterile yet stylish setting. By a man in a long black coat. | |
| A plot with the guts to kill off a major character or two in suitably downbeat manner. | In a film where the casualties must number somewhere in the thousands, with blood and bullets flying in every direction, you are never in any doubt that the cute dog is going to see the final credits. | |
| Bit of an attempt at exploring the ideas around freedom of expression, fascism and the willing conformity of the masses. | People living in a terror state where any glimmer of emotion is punishable by being burnt alive probably wouldn’t use the word “nice” all that much, or indeed get annoyed and start banging tables. | |
| The kid in me was wowed by the innovative and spectacular kung-fu gunplay. | The grown up bit in me was a bit disturbed by the near constant lingering shots of guns and gun barrels. |
Further Notes:
If you are really into action/kung-fu films then definitely rent this you will
love it.
Don't try to fool us with the surname alteration Conley, we know who you are.
The cityscapes seem to have been inspired by the Watchmen comic.
The bit where Brandt gets his is ace.
Links:
Comprehensive fan site
A specifically libertarian
review of the film!
Another one
of those hilarious IMDB messageboards where american people who probably
haven't
left their bedrooms in several years argue about things like how easy it is cut
someones head off with a sword.
Comments
if i hadn’t already seen it and decided to watch it on your ever so slight recommendation, i would no doubt be out hunting you down by now.
this is the worst bag of shite since lawnmower man 2 (the worst film of all time).
i will in future read your reviews and do the exact opposite of your recommendation.
i’m truly disgusted that anyone could condone this film. shame on you.
adam etheridge : 22/08/2003 18:34:46
Ad
There there, you lanky hairy fun-hater you.
I’ve haven’t seen it - maybe I should be the arbitrator here. I may require some alcohol first.
Steve : 23/08/2003 14:26:11
Personally, I thought Lawnmower Man 2 was majestic.
Jim : 23/08/2003 16:59:12
Pretty bad, but in quite a distinctive way I thought
Tom : 05/12/2005 19:15:42