Review of Equilibrium (2002) by Chris N — 16 Aug 2012

Anybody who accuses this film of being a Matrix ripoff has obviously not watched the movie without taking their preconceiving eyeglasses off.

Equilibrium is one of the most underrated films ever made. Easily passed off as a Matrix knock off for its highly stylized martial arts, this unjustified accusation comes from a population I would venture to say thinks "Crouching Tiger" is a rip off too, as well as any other movie that had martial arts in it since the Matrix. The movie is set in the future, when the government has decided that emotion is the cause of all of mans disputations and wars. A drug is created that prevents humans from feeling emotion, and all of mankind is enforced to take it. Pockets of resistance seek to fight for emotion, but are squelched by highly trained professionals called Grammatons. Bale is one of these emotionless warriors, trained to question and mercilessly kill any people fighting to feel. As he is sent on a special assignment to find the leaders of the resistance, he begins to become unsure about why he fights against these people. With a highly creative plot executed perfectly in pacing and depth, the breaks to the action sequences are phenomenal, and the cinematography adds a dark yet stylistic neo-noir feel. Though the acting is purposefully emotionless to maintain its plot, it is done superbly by Bale. And as emotionless as some of the characters may be, it doesn't stop you from becoming emotionally invested in the plot and the characters. Even if you are not in it for the action, the story line dilemma presented is one that will make you really think. If you think this film falls into the category of "Matrix rip-off", it is really too bad, because this movie is just as revolutionary to the sci-fi and action genres.