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Critics Consensus: Equilibrium is a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies.
Critic Consensus: Equilibrium is a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies.
All Critics (85) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (53) | DVD (20)
Equilibrium is equal parts video game and GQ fashion spread.
Matrixian, Orwellian, and boneheadian.
This inventive, low-budget science-fiction movie stands on its own, from its bracing, ingenious fight sequences to its literate roots in dystopian fiction.
Borrows from so many literary and cinematic sources that this future world feels absolutely deja vu.
It's super- violent, super-serious and super-stupid.
Dour and charmless.
Violent post-nuclear sci-fi is Orwellian.
Channels the themes of George Orwell and the action of John Woo wonderfully.
Who knew that a reunion of Metroland stars Bale and Watson could yield something so downright nutty?
An engaging ride, with some quicksilver moves.
It only adds unneeded celluloid to an increasingly tired genre!
C'est un film qui rivalise avec les plus gros blockbusters hollywoodiens. Je l'ai trouvé beaucoup plus satisfaisant que The Matrix Reloaded.
Unfairly underrated, Equilibrium clearly borrows from The Matrix and classic sci-fi films such as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 but stands out on its own mostly thanks to the main character's personal emotional conflict and its intense, well-choreographed fighting scenes.
Super Reviewer
First one needs to get over the fact that this steals from a number of other, and yes better, sources. That said and taken on its own merit then - don't look too closely - and this doesn't completely suck. Not totally. Christian Bale grounds the thing, such as it is, but you could make a drinking game over all the loose ends and plot holes. It's only a movie.
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.
It takes itself to seriously but it's an interesting sci-fi flick nevertheless.
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