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Equilibrium on DVD (2002)

Equilibrium cover art
Average rating: 68%
12166201519411
3.0
from 5,285 members
 
Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Angus Macfadyen, Taye Diggs, Sean Bean
Director: Kurt Wimmer
Studio: MOMENTUM PICTURES
Certificate: 15
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Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Languages: English
Released: 28/07/2003
Also Available on:  Also Available on: BLU-RAY

Brief synopsis of Equilibrium

In a futuristic society where the government requires the people to stay tranquil and submissive by taking a psychological drug, people no longer have emotions. Because of this, there are no more wars. But when one of the enforcement agents realizes that maybe peaceful oblivion is not the answer, he thinks about overthrowing his oppressors.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 3 stars out of 5 Radio Times

If you get the feeling that you've seen Equilibrium before, you probably have — or bits of it at least. From the 1984-style dystopian setting and Fahrenheit 451 theme of social censorship to the visual influence of The Matrix, this is a bit of a sci-fi smorgasbord. An impressively pumped-up Christian Bale plays a “Cleric”, a futuristic cop whose job it is to enforce a law compelling the population to take an emotion-suppressing drug. But when he himself stops taking the medication, he slowly experiences the joys of free expression and even manages to fall in love (with renegade “sense-offender” Emily Watson). Despite often being preposterous and heavy-handed, there are enough slick visuals to offset the overall silliness, and the displays of “Gun-kata” — a blend of martial arts and gunplay — provide some blistering action scenes.

Time Out

John Preston (Bale) is a top Grammaton cleric in the post-World War III dystopia of Libria, an enforcer with stupendous... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 3 starsUnjustly slated

Pat Higgins from Essex, England , 14/10/2003

Equilibrium received what is probably best described as 'a real kicking' from the critics upon its cinema release. The principal problem is that the central concept is unfilmable. No characters displaying any emotion at any point? Might work in a book, but on film it just won't fly. Within minutes, you'll be itching to pick it apart. Why did that character just applaud? Why did that character just raise their voice? If you can actually get past this problem, Equilibrium is an extremely good little SF flick, and I personally thought that the fight scenes stomped all over Matrix Reloaded's overblown CGI.

  43 out of 59 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 1 starsEquilibrium

docks from west yorkshire , 14/10/2003

A poor man's mixture of elements from Minority Report/The Matrix/Blade and an umpteen number of Sci-Fi/Action films. Christian Bale is surely meant for higher things than this. Watch this if you have nothing else to do.

  27 out of 40 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsUnderrated - beautifully put together

Peter from London, UK , 12/07/2004

I vaguely remembered the panning that this was given when it came out and was expecting a good 'action flick' without much substance. However I was (very) pleasantly surprised. Apart from the obvious plot problems noted by other reviewers that the 'emotionless society' is extrememly difficult to present on screen, I found this an absorbing and highly entertaining film.

The society presented is reminiscent and heavily influenced by 1984. The children reporting on their parents, the notional offence of 'sense-crime', the drab colourless existence and the separation between the masses and the 'party' being the tetragammon is excellent, although some of the gritty realism had to be absent to accommodate the excellent fight scenes and science fiction visions of the future.

I particularly liked the fact that as the film progressed it became obvious that emotion can never really be eliminated and that there was a further level to society. But I don't want to give it away.

I would have given this 4 and a half stars as the 'emotionless' plot is not quite carried off. However a great film and the fight scenes themselves worth the evenings watching. I may even go out and buy my own copy.

  21 out of 22 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsWow

Tanya from Kent, Bromley , 16/11/2003

Throughly enjoyed this film, reminded me of the 1st Matrix...great action. Good script and great story line, think along the lines of 1984.

  16 out of 20 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 3 stars

Bobby#5 from HOUNSLOW , 08/07/2004

The only good thing about this movie is the action sequences, nothing else. If you enjoy action movies then rent this, but beware the story and acting is crap. Theres no nudity, so kids can watch this flick, they will love the action!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsbale is a moving force

A customer from yorkshire, the honest land , 28/07/2004

christian bale's performance does make this film what it is. the action is breathtaking. especially the gun kata's.i'd watch it again just to see them scenes again.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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