Discuss Equilibrium
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Masterpiece? Or a poor mans Matrix?
posted by intothenightaloneSTAFFMOD on May 26, 2017 at 6:18 AM
Both deal with the idea of living in a controlled world. One overt, the other covert. Both have some super-human fight scenes. What this has going for it is that it is a stand-alone. Most fans of the Matrix think the sequels took the concept too far.
I liked the dynamic between Bale and Sean Bean at the start but was disappointed to learn that Bean was just a setup to the premise. I found the dynamic between Bale and Taye Diggs to be less interesting. I think I enjoy Bale as the bad guy but not the conflicted cleric.
Perhaps it would have worked better to have Bean as the lead?
Reply by AusFem
on May 26, 2017 at 10:17 AM
No way! I loved Christian Bale in this role. I also thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I was happy when Preston stopped taking that mind altering medicine and began to turn human again.
There certainly was a few surprises in this movie
Reply by BarkingBaphomet
on May 26, 2017 at 10:55 AM
somewhere in between.
Bale was fine.
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on May 26, 2017 at 2:36 PM
I like this film.
While the "gun-kata" discipline was interesting and the action scenes (well, most of them, anyway) were slick, there's a cerebral aspect and a cool pace to it that is quite provocative and engaging for me.
So, nah, no need to compare with The Matrix - Equilibrium stands on its own.
Reply by intothenightalone
on May 26, 2017 at 7:02 PM
The flashy fight scenes were fun but Matrix was seen as revolutionary at its time for using multiple cameras to create the rotating perspective. Two decades on and with cgi in most films it's become a staple. Still, the Matrix is an enjoyable movie.
As for concept, a totalitarian regime where emotions are banned isn't quite as original as humans being plugged into a computer program/virtual reality. That seemed to strike a chord with people. I remember people debating how they know if their reality is really real. :)
Reply by DanDare
on May 26, 2017 at 8:13 PM
Poor man's Matrix.
Reply by Renovatio
on May 28, 2017 at 6:01 AM
not as good as the Matrix, but far better than the matrix trilogy.. the sequels ruined the dreamlike compactness of the original and overexplained and expanded the concept too much with too many nonsense characters, concepts and such... zero mystery and nothing left to the imagination...
What I like about Equilibrium is what makes it different from the Matrix, it's a far more sensual film... the emotional scenes are well earned and you really feel Preston's awakening... also, it is arguably already happening given how we are medicating ourselves and our children to alter our states of mind and be more agreeable, servile, productive and such... it's not inconceivable that these anti-depressents and stimulants could become mandatory... or that a new class of drug close to the one in Equilibrium would be...
Reply by intothenightalone
on May 29, 2017 at 4:26 AM
Hmmm, I never considered the possible commentary on society drugging themselves to the point that they feel nothing or stop being human. Interesting take.
Reply by Patrick E. Abe
on March 16, 2019 at 10:37 PM
I'm a tad older, so this movie also has a "Logan's Run" feel to this Aldous Huxley-like "Brave New World." Instead of a laundry list of drugs to fit conditions/emotions, one drug rules everyone...if they take it. The original "Fahrenheit 451" comes to mind here, though "sense criminals" get lit up along with their paraphernalia. There's no missing "The Matrix" and associated "wire-fu," though I did wonder where The Underground got all the guns they needed when the TV signal ended. Oh well, it's no better or worse than an undated "The Magnificent Seven," and I hear "Escape To Victory" is getting the redo treatment.