One might argue that in order to create this “not-another-bleak-future” pic, Wimmer flogged things from all over the place – literary, visual, and historical (on the commentary he says critics accuse him of this), but that’s fine, the film wouldn’t work without all that referencing, it didn’t seem token, or boastful. It enhanced the narrative, I feel.
I never know what to make of Equilibrium, not fully: some days it serves to remind me of just how depressing life on medication is (and believe me, I know) and how psychological disorders are on the increase, other days it’s some sort of Brechtian didactic piece on humanity. Many other days, it’s just a freaking kick-arse action flick set in a possible reality one hopes never ever comes into being. Then again, if the iconoclast of such a regime is going to be anywhere near as bonkable as Christian Bale...
Sorry, couldn’t resist: I’m trying to redeem myself for making you all sit here for so bloody long. Just go and watch it for yourselves.
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Article comments
1 - Catana
Sadly underrated film. Worth watching on many levels.
2 - reggie von woic
yeah, just for the action. Once you watch the movie more than twice, you lose all the respect you had for it.
This movie reminds me of Commando and how Arnold finishes off everyone single handedly.
"...tread carefully, because you step on my dreams.." -Yeats
3 - vanillafluffy
I enjoy this movie for all the reasons you've mentioned--it's eye candy from the cast to the sets to the stunts. All that usually serves to distract me from the gaps in narrative and the unanswered questions. I won't enumerate because that would spoiler the film, and it's a good one. Yeah, it owes a lot to other source material, but it also offers its own interesting take on post-apocalyptic Utopia.
4 - Snarkattack
Thanks for the comments, people! This is actually my first piece here *bites nails*.
Yeah, even I can appreciate the Commando thing. Plus, you've got to love a film that can feature a poem and wicked action scenes that make the Matrix look like Playschool.
Just for reference's sake, the poem by Yeats is called 'He Wishes For the Cloths of Heaven' and according to my massive tome of his poetry, from my good old lit days, it was the type of poem that would make a woman run from you (i.e. you wouldn't be able to woo her with it).
I rather think the opposite!
5 - lg
This is a pretty solid flick--definitely worth checking out.
6 - Snarkattack
Please note, dear readers, that although I first saw this film on cable TV, it is the DVD I am reviewing, even if there is little mention of the features on the DVD.
When writing the review, I rewatched the film in DVD format, and then as stated with the director Wimmer's commentary.
Just clarifying, wouldn't want to mislead or confuse anyone.