Breaking from the usual politics, I have to note that Equilibrium comes out on DVD tomorrow. Equilibrium got pegged as a cheesy rip-off of The Matrix which is unfair, as in many ways it is a film at least on the level of The Matrix. That sounds like a tall order, but the film stands on its own merits.
Christian Bale plays the role of a "cleric" (read death squad officer) in a future society where emotion is banished in order to prevent the very cause of war. Everyone is drugged up on a futuristic version of Prozac and all art and literature is banned. Plot-wise it’s heavily indebted to Farenheit 451 with a few touches of other works of dystopian literature thrown it.
In addition to the intreguing plot, the action scenes are well-executed and brilliantly shot. The fight choreography not only looks exceedingly cool, but there’s a rationale for it given in the film. The first few minutes make it look like a run-of-the-mill shoot-em-up, but the first use of the "gun-kata" (and a brilliant cameo by Sean Bean) will leave you hooked.
The film has some plot holes, but it’s better than most studio action movies and doesn’t insult the intelligence of the audience. Christian Bale, Emily Watson, and Sean Bean all have some impressive performances, making Equilibrium a very worthwhile movie to check out.
I’ll have to rent it… after I see Matrix: Reloaded tomorrow night… 🙂