Equilibrium

[PurposeDriven]

Saw "Equilibrium" starring Christian Bale for the first time today. I have to say that it wasn't the worse thing I have ever seen. It was like "1984" and "the Matrix" had a really weird baby. Anyone else seen it?

I kinda liked the whole angle on it, and how they trained the "clerics" to know where to point their guns and the statistical points, brilliant angle.

[n0signal]

Oh I *love* Equilibrium!! Gun-Kata is the koolest thing ever, I'm supprised there's not been more films with similar "gun fu" style shootouts. It was made on a pathetically low budget and with cast-off sets from another film as far as I know... which gives the fact that it's an enjoyable and visually pretty polished film even more kudos. IMHO. ;)

[Neil Rowe]

.. you guys are going to hate me for this, but i didnt buy the whole gun kata thing. i mean i (or nobody else for that matter) would never walk out into a gunfight, and without even looking or being able to see, start shooting where a shooter is most likely to be according to statisicts. it was just completely unrealistic imho. which ruined the whole fight sequences for me. let alone the fact that rambo esque he just stands in the middle of a room surrounded by people with machine guns, and dosent even get a hole in his jacket .

[Roy42]

Equilibrium is probably one of the most underrated films ever made. All the critics hated it. But when I saw it, I was shocked to find that I really enjoyed it. It wasn't just some pointless Matrix-wannabe like I thought it was going to be at all. The story may have borrowed from a lot of science fiction classics (namely books by Bradbury and Wells), but it still managed to be unique and enjoyable. The action sequences were also very original, I thought.

Overall, it's a great example of a modern director's first hollywood film, and because of that, I think other aspiring film directors can learn from it.

As for the Gun Katta thing, or whatever, yeah, it's not really supposed to be believable or anything. It's just an excuse for the action. It is a pretty neat concept, though, I think.

P.S: Where's that guy with the avatar that's an animated gif from this movie...? I'm sure he'll have something to say.

[n0signal]

iamloser, you're points are valid. However, the wire-fighting in Hong Kong films is hardly realistic either, it's just f**king kool and something such as Hero is undeniably impressive because of it. Regardless that it's preposterous.

Similar thing with Gun-Kata, realism has been thrown out of the window and we're in Eastern-influenced territory here (hence martial arts). It doesn;t have to be realistic, just look impressive. Which it does.

Like I said though, your points are valid and obviously anyone looking for a sci-fi film heavily grounded in realism won'y buy into it. It's all about target audience. Btw, in responce to Roy42, I'm sure critics here in the UK gave the film a pretty decent write up when it was reviewed. Which is why I went to see it in the first place.

It's often the case that films that are underappreciated in the states will find an audience here (Donnie Darko for instance was much much bigger here!).

[Roy42]

It's often the case that films that are underappreciated in the states will find an audience here (Donnie Darko for instance was much much bigger here!).

Hey, that's one of my favorite movies! Sounds like the British have better taste in film than us silly Americans....! ;D

[n0signal]

Yeah, Donnie Darko is a work of genius, heavily influenced by Douglas Coupland books, Brilliant!!

If I remember correctly though, 28 Days Later was better recieved in the US than here (it still did alright here but nothing special), so sometimes the reverse happens. ;D

[Phil]

everyone i know has been telling me to see this, and for some reason I never got around to it, so today i went out and rented it...

I really like it...for everything it was, it definitely was cool. The concept and fights scenes were great, along with the cinematography, the shots and special effects...

You CAN tell its a low budget, and the story has some flaws (if noone felt emotion, why would anyone do anything?) BUT..

I really liked it! Kurt Wimmer did a great job.

[David Jimerson]

Just watched on Showtime HD. Better than I expected . . . though "Logan's Run" called and it wants its script back.

[Bsmith]

the movie was also basically exactly like the novel "1984" if anyone has read it. Except 1984 didn't have all teh gun stuff and what not.

[David Jimerson]

Naaah. *1984 was a strong influence, but the story didn't really follow that closely.

Though I have no doubt "Mary O'Brien" got her name directly from that novel.

[David Jimerson]

IMDb says it's a "version of" Logan's Run. I can't confirm this by any other source. Anyone know anything definitive?

[dvpixl]

yeah, the first time christian bale busted out with Gun Fu I went... :o then... :-/...then ???. It just wasnt there. it's too laughable to watch as seriously as traditional martial arts.