Equilibrium
review by Patti
Naretta
I have enjoyed Christian Bale since he was in a little Disney
musical called Newsies. And with each and every film he adds
to his resume, I find him perfecting his craft all the more.
Just when I thought he couldn't get any better than American
Psycho, he came out with Equilibrium (and since then Batman
Begins--but that's another review). This movie, to me, was
everything I was promised in the Matrix and did not get. I
did not enjoy the Matrix. I have never appreciated the so-called
talents of Keanu, the action was mind-numbing, and I kept thinking
throughout the entire film that I could have been doing better
things with my time. It got to the point where I didn’t
even care what happened to Neo or who he was or what he was
working for or against. But why do so many people compare Equilibrium
to the Matrix? I think the only two reasons are the similarities
in the wardrobe and the fighting styles. I think that's the
extent of it. How Equilibrium differs from the Matrix is what
made it more enjoyable to me: the story is more personal, more
emotional, but not any less epic. The action furthers the story
instead of distracting and hindering you with its special effects.
The acting is superb, not just from Bale but Watson and Bean
especially cut to the core of the sweet sorrow that is human
emotion. Also the themes of this movie are more relevant to
real life. This movie makes a statement about humanity with
a masterful technique not unlike a classic Twilight Zone episode.
And despite all of the harrowing issues of human suppression
and the constant struggle for world peace—the film leaves
one satisfied, serene, and full of hope not just for the future
of the characters, but for the destiny of mankind in the real
world.
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