For some reason, I expected a cheap "Matrix"-clone when I sat down to watch the absorbing science fiction tale "Equilibrium" from director Kurt Wimmer. Despite a slow beginning that I feared would stay in grey-toned "Nineteen Eighty-Four" territory,the pace of the movie soon speeds up and the result is an exciting and gripping story with some surprises along the way.
The cast contains a smörgåsbord of British talent - Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Dominic Purcell and the lovely Emily Watson deliver strong and memorable performances. Even Sean Pertwee makes an appearance as the face of Father, the secretive leader of a futuristic fascist world where emotions are banned and suppressed by daily injections of drugs.
Bale's lead role in this movie is almost a dress rehearsal for "Batman Begins" - the "Gun Kata" action sequences are similar in tone to the "Batman" film but are actually more effective. Bale looks every inch the hero in "Equilibrium" with his impossibly chiselled features and honed physique - there's no doubting he makes a great superhero.
Taye Diggs plays Bale's career-obsessed sidekick in the film. He's excellent in the part and brings in a new level of tension to the proceedings.
The music in "Equilibrium" by Klaus Badelt is powerful and haunting and adds greatly to the atmosphere created by the stunning visuals.
While not being a masterpiece of the genre, "Equilibrium" is entertaining stuff and is definitely worthy of a rental. Some will love it, others will find it decidedly average. Very few will disregard it completely.
7 out of 10.
The cast contains a smörgåsbord of British talent - Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Dominic Purcell and the lovely Emily Watson deliver strong and memorable performances. Even Sean Pertwee makes an appearance as the face of Father, the secretive leader of a futuristic fascist world where emotions are banned and suppressed by daily injections of drugs.
Bale's lead role in this movie is almost a dress rehearsal for "Batman Begins" - the "Gun Kata" action sequences are similar in tone to the "Batman" film but are actually more effective. Bale looks every inch the hero in "Equilibrium" with his impossibly chiselled features and honed physique - there's no doubting he makes a great superhero.
Taye Diggs plays Bale's career-obsessed sidekick in the film. He's excellent in the part and brings in a new level of tension to the proceedings.
The music in "Equilibrium" by Klaus Badelt is powerful and haunting and adds greatly to the atmosphere created by the stunning visuals.
While not being a masterpiece of the genre, "Equilibrium" is entertaining stuff and is definitely worthy of a rental. Some will love it, others will find it decidedly average. Very few will disregard it completely.
7 out of 10.