Equilibrium (2002)

Featured Audience Ratings

• paul o

  
  Gun Kata at its best, everything else....not so much. Its has its flaws and some may overcome it but in the end, its just a very mediocre sci-fi film.

• Albert K

  
  Action's cool for like the first 5 minutes. The production value is obviously much more slimmer then its counterpart "The Matrix" and has much less interesting plot with little to no character development. Cinematography is ugly as well.

• xGary X

  
  A future society that subdues its populace with an emotionally inhibiting drug is enforced by a police force of "clerics" who execute all those accused of "sense crime". Dismissed by most upon its release as just another Matrix clone, there are superficial… More
  A future society that subdues its populace with an emotionally inhibiting drug is enforced by a police force of "clerics" who execute all those accused of "sense crime". Dismissed by most upon its release as just another Matrix clone, there are superficial similarities; stylistically the action choreography and costume design are very similar. There's a lot more going on under the surface however, as it takes cues from the likes of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 in its depiction of a totalitarian, book burning society and message of individuality and what it means to be human. But by far the biggest difference is in its star; Christian Bale's far superior range makes for a performance that's both emotionally engaging and believable in its depiction of a man suddenly in conflict with everything he had been taught and dealing with emotions he has no experience with. Equilibrium is a very under-rated film in my opinion and is everything a sci-fi movie should be about; style, action, strong concepts and a message about the human condition. More V For Vendetta than The Matrix and definitely worth seeking out if you like sci-fi with a political slant.

• Film C

  
  Its quite an enjoyable movie, action packed which is great and a very believable futuristic movie. I love the concept although at times i still think it has floors in the plot but other than that its a movie thats worth a watch. If you like sci-fi movies such as matrix then you will… More
  Its quite an enjoyable movie, action packed which is great and a very believable futuristic movie. I love the concept although at times i still think it has floors in the plot but other than that its a movie thats worth a watch. If you like sci-fi movies such as matrix then you will like this movie!

• Ken S

  
  To make an Equilibrium cocktail you take one part Brave New World, mix in a jigger of gun porn, shake till cool and then strain into a Matrix-shaped glass. What you get sounds a little silly and tastes like a big old bowl of fruity pebbles. Good for those nights when you want a… More
  To make an Equilibrium cocktail you take one part Brave New World, mix in a jigger of gun porn, shake till cool and then strain into a Matrix-shaped glass. What you get sounds a little silly and tastes like a big old bowl of fruity pebbles. Good for those nights when you want a little more style over a little less substance.

• Jameson W

  
  Absolutely fantastic! I loved every second of this film. Definitely on of the most underrated films I have ever seen before. I do not know why it received such negative reviews or why it grossed so little at the box office (only 5mil). Although similar to many novels and other films,… More
  Absolutely fantastic! I loved every second of this film. Definitely on of the most underrated films I have ever seen before. I do not know why it received such negative reviews or why it grossed so little at the box office (only 5mil). Although similar to many novels and other films, Equilibrium still stands alone. The seemingly cliche story is brilliantly executed by the main character played by Christian Bale. He gives a brilliant performance that reminds me why he's my favorite actor. Even though some of the other actors are only okay, his performance gives the film a whole other dimension of depthness that it would have otherwise lacked.The action is really unique and original, too. Very enjoyable to watch. Again, I cannot tell of how underrated this film is. It is simply fantastic, engaging, emotional, suspenseful.....it's great. Definitely one of my new favorites! Do yourself a favor, watch this film!

• Emile T

  
  Equilibrium interested me because Christian Bale has the principle role, but I wasn't expecting THAT from the movie ! And I surely wasn't expecting this great performance from Bale, even though he is such a great actor. I wasn't that impressed with the guns fights… More
  Equilibrium interested me because Christian Bale has the principle role, but I wasn't expecting THAT from the movie ! And I surely wasn't expecting this great performance from Bale, even though he is such a great actor. I wasn't that impressed with the guns fights and the action scenes, but I thought it shows greatly its message: you are alive, but are you really living ? I'm still wondering why I haven't seen this before. Bravo Christian Bale.

• Thomas J

  
  A really nice sci-fi film that borrows a few special effect ideas from The Matrix. Seeing the effects of hatred now in society, it is an interesting view of a society without emotion. I enjoyed much more than the critics - as usual!!

• Carlos M

  
  Incredibly underrated, Equilibrium clearly borrows from The Matrix and classic sci-fi such as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984, but even so it is a great film thanks to the main character's personal emotional conflict and the intense, well-choreographed fighting scenes.

• Ginny  

  
  Over the top cheese-tastic movie ruined by an emotional faced actor (Taye Diggs, horrible choice). Dominic Purcell, how hot is this guy? Sizzle sizzle! Christian Bale, cant quite get his charisma, oh hes also got a side lip thing no?

• familiar s

  
  Of late, it was getting difficult for me to use the 'suspension of disbelief' skill. And this movie required it big time. However, soon I found that it was too easy with this one. I guess, it all depends on whether the movie has the power to absorb you in it or not. And this… More
  Of late, it was getting difficult for me to use the 'suspension of disbelief' skill. And this movie required it big time. However, soon I found that it was too easy with this one. I guess, it all depends on whether the movie has the power to absorb you in it or not. And this flick scores a home run in that area. The only thing that I felt out of place was Christian Bale's acting. Somehow, I felt that he wasn't displaying the emotions appropriately. No, I'm not talking about the parts wherein he's to play the feeling-less guy, I'm talking about the ones where his feelings should be quite apparent. It should come natural, but instead it feels like he's sleepwalking during those scenes. That's the only problem I'd with the flick. Otherwise, all's well. A great action movie with a decent storyline to it. I wonder why this movie is relatively less popular & I hardly ever happen to stumble upon it. Just shockingly noticed (adding this sentence after reading it) that only 37% critics liked it!!! It's definitely no masterpiece, but it's not an utter trash either. Oh well; to each, his own.

• Nelson P

  
  Its a shameless halfwit remake of Truffaut's "Fahrenheit 451", but this has Christian Bale with a 400+ body count

• Al S

  
  A masterpiece. Delivers some of the best action sequences ever made with spectacular gun battles and fight scenes. It's brilliant and exhilarating. It's The Matrix meets Minority report with more superior and superbly original vision. Great entertainment that packs a full… More
  A masterpiece. Delivers some of the best action sequences ever made with spectacular gun battles and fight scenes. It's brilliant and exhilarating. It's The Matrix meets Minority report with more superior and superbly original vision. Great entertainment that packs a full clip. A fine futuristic thriller with lots to offer whether it's a dramatic piece or an action film. One of the better science fiction stories with a more intense and compelling concept. It's mind-blowing and surprisingly effective. It's heart-pounding and adrenaline-pumping. A first-rate and well-crafted edge of your seat action-packed ride. Christian Bale is outstanding.

• Conner R

  
  A great action movie that had an interesting message. Christian Bale gave an amazing performance both verbally and physically, no one beats people to death and chops heads off like Preston. The look of the movie was done quite well. I feel that in many ways, it is a better film than… More
  A great action movie that had an interesting message. Christian Bale gave an amazing performance both verbally and physically, no one beats people to death and chops heads off like Preston. The look of the movie was done quite well. I feel that in many ways, it is a better film than The Matrix.

• Anthony L

  
  Silly but enjoyable enough!

• Josh L

  
  A fun Matrix rip-off.

• Jani H

  
  "I'm not feeling! He is the one who's feeling!" Set in the post WW3, all mankind now live in a world without feelings. No love, no cries, no laughter, no nothing. It seems hard for me to understand WHY people would want to live in a world like this. What… More
  "I'm not feeling! He is the one who's feeling!" Set in the post WW3, all mankind now live in a world without feelings. No love, no cries, no laughter, no nothing. It seems hard for me to understand WHY people would want to live in a world like this. What would be their purpose in life? There's a lot of philosophical martial arts elements in "Equilibrium". One, and probably the weirdest, is Gun-Fu; a mix of Kung Fu and pistol combat. Sounds strange and it is. And it doesn't even look that great. All of his "targets" just stand still and do nothing, but hey, John Preston (Christian Bale) has maxed his skills in it. The production values haven't probably been that big in this movie and it can be seen. But that ain't the most important element in a film, the script is. It's difficult to look at a film where there's no feelings at all. Of course, as longer the story develops, we start to see the "soul" in the main characters, but this one is a strange one when looking at it for a first time. Now, the second time around, "Equilibrium" worked better. I understood its philosophy and story better and enjoyed it much more. It has "cult" written all over it. It may get fans at some point but I guess you just have to give it more time.

• Lady D

  
  This really is a film of two halves I feel, the first showing quite a one dimensional storyline, which seemed quite a poor comparison to ?The Matrix? as it?s critics have suggested and then emerges the second half, where it all starts to make sense and is speeded up a notch.… More
  This really is a film of two halves I feel, the first showing quite a one dimensional storyline, which seemed quite a poor comparison to ?The Matrix? as it?s critics have suggested and then emerges the second half, where it all starts to make sense and is speeded up a notch. Christian Bale manages to pull off some impressive shooting and fighting scenes, but it?s still not in the same league as ?The Matrix?.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"In a future where freedom is outlawed outlaws will become heroes."</i> A man who dares to feel finds his life in danger in this cautionary science fiction drama. In the future, after a Third World War has decimated much of the Earth's population, a new… More
  <i>"In a future where freedom is outlawed outlaws will become heroes."</i> A man who dares to feel finds his life in danger in this cautionary science fiction drama. In the future, after a Third World War has decimated much of the Earth's population, a new nation known as Libria rises up under the unquestioned leadership of Dupont (Angus MacFadyen). Believing human emotions and their expression were to blame for the failings of past societies, The Father has decreed that all citizens must take a daily dose of Prozia II, a drug which levels out the emotional landscape, and that all forms of creative expression are against the law; violating either regulation can be punished by death. John Preston (Christian Bale) is a Grammaton, an elite law enforcement officer who tracks down and punishes "sense offenders." One day, Preston accidentally fails to take his Prozia II, and for the first time begins experiencing emotions himself. Preston becomes aware of an underground of rebels who refuse to take their medication and have embraced art and literature, and he finds himself becoming infatuated with one of their number, Mary O'Brian (Emily Watson) <b><u>Review</u></b> Great concept, unique storyline, excellent acting and perfect execution, Equilibrium gives the Matrix trilogy a run for its money. The movie is excellent in several regards, from the interesting and unique story, mind blowing action choreography and breathtaking cinematography, one can only wonder why this movie didn't get the recognition and applause it deserves. Another factor that piqued my interest is the display of an innovative form of martial arts called Gun-Kata. Never have I seen a gun put into creative use with a slight mix of hand to hand fighting skills and close range gun battles. Very impressive indeed. Christian Bale, the man of the hour, gives yet another perfect performance as Cleric enforcer John Preston. Support cast Sean Bean, Angus McFadyen, Taye Diggs and Emily Watson gives off some good support acting too which makes it a powerhouse cast and excellent showcase of acting. If you fancy movies like The Matrix, A Clockwork Orange and Logan's Run, then this movie is right up your alley. Highly recommended.

• Arash X

  
  Great but could have been better, These supposed to be cool heroic figures & lines always bug me specially in this kind of movies

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