This is the truly the best
'pleasant surprise' I have had at the movies in a long while.
I had heard nothing of this film when I saw that it was showing at
the local cinema. So, being the adventurer that I am, my
decision was to check out the flick and see if it had merit, even
though I do not usually care for Christian Bale. Wow.
This is one of the best films I have seen this year because it
combines better action sequences than "The Matrix" with
a story line that we are familiar with, but one that seems to implausible
to occur. This was like 3 novels and 3 motion
pictures all thrown together: "Brave New World",
"1984", "Fahrenheit 451", "Minority
Report", "The Matrix", and "Judge Dredd".
That's a lot of influences.
After the Third World War leaves much of the country in ruins, it
is
decided that the root of war is
emotion--senses and feelings. So, feelings and senses
becomes outlawed. Citizens are forced to take a drug called
Prozium to cease their emotions and 'sense offenders' are
immediately put to death. All items that cause emotion
(music, books, etc.) are incinerated along with the people caught
with them. The new society is called Librium and it is ruled
by the "1984"-ish, Big Brother-ish figure known as The
Father, who is always heard speaking to the people from television
screens across the city. To defend the emotionless society,
a new group of police were formed known as the Grammaton Cleric.
They are super strong, super fast, and super trained in combat.
Christian Bale stars as Cleric John Preston, a by-the-book officer
who immediately shoots down anyone who shows the slightest sign of
emotion. Alas, certain events begin to change his way of
thinking until he finds himself forced with the possibility that
he might be feeling himself. Taye Diggs stars as his Cleric
partner, as does Sean Bean, before he is dealt with for showing
his emotions. Angus MacFayden is a high powered political
official and Emily Watson is a woman arrested for sense offense.
This
film switches back and forth from amazing action sequences to to
scenes filled with insight and ideology. There is a
brilliant scene in the film where Christian Bale breaks down upon
his first listening of jazz music. There is another scene
involving a puppy in which we see the humanity in the title
character trying desperately to break out, knowing that he would
be executed for doing so. The contrast is Diggs, an
unrelenting Cleric who refuses to budge in the slightest.
The
ending of the film is highly enjoyable and highly energetic.
It catches us off guard and manages to deliver more than it's
share of surprise twists. I love the way in which we are
shown how the Clerics manage to dodge so many bullets and always
strike their mark. Director Kurt Wimmer has an eye for
detail and it is very visible onscreen.
The
performances are top notch. I usually loathe Christian Bale,
but this movie has made me a believer in his talent. Even
Taye Diggs stretches beyond what he is usually capable to deliver
a rather engaging performance. And, though she is not in
many scenes, Emily Watson is always luminous.
"Equilibrium" is one of the best pictures of the year,
and I think I liked it so much because I had heard nothing about
it when I stepped into the theatre. I love being surprised
like that. If you were a fan of "The Matrix" and
you think "1984" is the best book ever written, this
will be your favorite movie of all-time. If you hated
"The Matrix" and have never read "1984",
you'll still have one hell of a good time at the movies.
WARNING: Keep the kiddies at home. There is quite a
bit of heavy violence in this film and should not be considered as
JUST an adventure flick. This ain't no "Indiana
Jones".
