Equilibrium Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: After WW3, an emotionless society is erected and enforced by an elite branch of the police.

Review: This is easily one of the most underrated sci-fi films out there, yet, easily one of the most flawed as well. If anything, it was Christian Bale's own success in later years that helped shed light on this film since it had a small release initially. As a, somewhat, cult classic, you're going to get a divisive opinion on "Equilibrium" with many loving it while others detest it. Due to its glaring flaws, I'll admit, you need to have a certain "Gremlins" or "Signs"-like appreciation whereby you can overlook the plot holes and enjoy the story for what it is. I don't blame someone if they can't suspend the disbelief, but there's a lot to love that you're missing out on.

In nutshell: following the conclusion of WW3, a new, dystopian society was developed with absolute control over humanity. In order to prevent future wars and chaos, a supplemental drug was invented to inhibit humanity's emotions so that they would be, more or less, drones. The overall feeling for this society is a cross between numerous fictional works, but there is a noticeable emphasis on "1984" since that's probably the most likely fate for humanity in reality. The plot revolves around John Preston, played well by that "fucking amateur" Christian Bale, who is the highest ranking member of the clerics, a jedi-esque branch of the police. The clerics, as well as the police, serve as enforcers of the "sense offense" laws--whereby, some individual is feeling emotions or trying to invoke it in others through various forms of contraband (paintings, music, etc.). After killing his partner for sense offense, John misses a dose of the emotion-suppressing drug, Prozium, and we experience his efforts to regain his humanity as a result.

Where "Equilibrium" surprisingly succeeds is in telling a moving and fascinating tale. The film balances emotional scenes through subtlety while other times employing an in your face approach. For example, you have simple moments like John sensing the world without the protective layer of his gloves or blatant scenes like John huffing a ribbon from a woman that reminds him of his dead wife. Due to this combo, you never feel that the movie is trying to preach to you. The usage of various art and music helps set the tone for a world stripped barren of everything we consider of value. You have to imagine this is a world where people have nothing but their mindlessness to guide them--they don't even have sheets, blankets, or pillows on their beds! In this respect, establishing a disturbing future, the movie succeeds admirably.

Often times I've read criticisms that this film is too heavy on the action, but that is what makes it more accessible to casual viewers. I'm tired of dystopian futures where the heroes can't actually win. I'm glad that John is a badass--I want the resistance to win! This brings me to another highlight: the gun kata. Being as jedi-like as they are, the clerics needed a way to make them feel distinct and cool which is presented through their fighting technique. Essentially, through statistical analysis of gun fights, the clerics are trained to assess a situation and move within that fight based on probability. The clerics "aim" where targets are likely to stand and dodge pre-determined trajectories all the while taking each subsequent shot using this algorithm. Ehh...you kind of have to see it to understand it, but it looks amazing! There are discrepancies with it's presentation, due to the director and fight choreographer disagreeing, but you can appreciate both versions they depict--either the fluid moving or martial arts-esque style. Nevertheless, the gun kata, clerics, and all the fights create a more engaging film while being complemented by the interesting narrative.

Finally, the technical aspects are done well considering this wasn't a huge blockbuster or anything. The sets look great and incorporate many real-world structures masked well enough. There are quite a few impressive shots that help establish the grand scope of things too. Although this regime looks and feels similarly to numerous dystopias, they distinguish themselves enough to not feel like a ripoff. The actors are good for the most part, and I can't ignore Sean Bean dying for like the millionth time; definitely one of his best that's for sure.

As for the aspect that infuriates many viewers...it is the fact that the characters are not supposed to be feeling anything yet they constantly prove otherwise. You have people smiling, getting angry, getting scared, and even saying things a drone-like being would not. It's not a deal-breaker for me, but I can understand the complaint since the crux of the film itself is structured around this unfeeling notion. Realistically, this just wouldn't translate very well if no character could express anything; if anything, blame the medium itself more than the film. However, I will acknowledge certain aspects of the society, that would invoke emotion, are still included. Why would they allow people to have families or any pair-bonding in general? How do you even have sex without emotion? How does one make any choice in general without an emotion? Maybe we can assume the government makes decisions on your behalf, but it's never shown and implied to be the opposite. My problem is simply that I can't believe a world like this would ever come into existence. It's too dependent on the Prozium drug and brainwashing rather than sustainable means of control. The director has said it's more of a parallel universe than a possible future so I can get behind that theory.

Overall, this is a fantastic film that I hope continues to garner more fans. Obviously the more mainstream this movie becomes, the more detractors will emerge, but fuck 'em. I understand the presentation has undeniable flaws, but they don't take away from the final experience or the film's message. I can still watch and enjoy something like "Signs" despite the idiocy of aliens that die to water; just as I can ignore facial gestures and emotional responses from characters supposedly incapable of feeling said emotions. The action is excellent and the pacing is wonderful. We get just enough history on this world to imagine the kind of nightmare it would appear to us. Then, as cliche as it may be, we get the Hollywood ending and it's damn satisfying. I definitely recommend checking this one out but be aware of the flaws.

Notable Moment: When we first meet John, and he kills like 20 or so people effortlessly. This was a great way to establish the character as well as the capabilities of the clerics.

Final Rating: 7/10