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Equilibrium is a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies.
All Critics (90) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (54) | DVD (20)
Though ultimately silly, Equilibrium's shopworn but stylish synthesis of ammo and ideas is surprisingly engrossing. Apr 17, 2019 | Full Review…
Though ultimately silly, Equilibrium's shopworn but stylish synthesis of ammo and ideas is surprisingly engrossing.
Nathan Rabin
Bale is too self-conscious an action hero, and although the script may have the virtue of transparent plagiarism, it teeters both dramatically and conceptually. Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…
Bale is too self-conscious an action hero, and although the script may have the virtue of transparent plagiarism, it teeters both dramatically and conceptually.
Time Out Staff
What a dumb, fun, curiously adolescent movie this is. Feb 18, 2003 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
What a dumb, fun, curiously adolescent movie this is.
Nev Pierce
Equilibrium is equal parts video game and GQ fashion spread. Dec 9, 2002
Equilibrium is equal parts video game and GQ fashion spread.
Richard Roeper
Matrixian, Orwellian, and boneheadian. Dec 7, 2002 | Rating: D+ | Full Review…
Matrixian, Orwellian, and boneheadian.
Lisa Schwarzbaum
This inventive, low-budget science-fiction movie stands on its own, from its bracing, ingenious fight sequences to its literate roots in dystopian fiction. Dec 6, 2002
This inventive, low-budget science-fiction movie stands on its own, from its bracing, ingenious fight sequences to its literate roots in dystopian fiction.
Bill Muller
A balanced thriller. Apr 17, 2019 | Full Review…
A balanced thriller.
Leah Rozen
Kurt Wimmer's Equilibrium is a dreary sci-fi action movie set after the Third World War in a dystopia from which all dangerous human emotion has been drained by the daily injection of the drug Prozium and the burning of art and books. Apr 17, 2019 | Full Review…
Kurt Wimmer's Equilibrium is a dreary sci-fi action movie set after the Third World War in a dystopia from which all dangerous human emotion has been drained by the daily injection of the drug Prozium and the burning of art and books.
Philip French
This medium-budgeted, futuristic action tale that arrives on screens with precious little fanfare is, to my mind, the best film I've seen all year. Apr 17, 2019 | Full Review…
This medium-budgeted, futuristic action tale that arrives on screens with precious little fanfare is, to my mind, the best film I've seen all year.
Scott B.
Despite often being preposterous and heavy-handed, there are enough slick visuals to offset the overall silliness, and the displays of "Gun-kata" - a blend of martial arts and gunplay - provide some blistering action scenes. Apr 17, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Despite often being preposterous and heavy-handed, there are enough slick visuals to offset the overall silliness, and the displays of "Gun-kata" - a blend of martial arts and gunplay - provide some blistering action scenes.
Adam Smith
It's hard not to feel you've just watched a feature-length video game with some really heavy back story. Apr 17, 2019 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
It's hard not to feel you've just watched a feature-length video game with some really heavy back story.
Maitland McDonagh
Violent post-nuclear sci-fi is Orwellian. Dec 24, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Violent post-nuclear sci-fi is Orwellian.
Nell Minow
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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