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Post by kingdaywalker on Apr 22, 2003 15:00:41 GMT -5
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Post by JenGe on Apr 22, 2003 15:22:03 GMT -5
Hey thanks for posting that review. I like these comments... "The result is a poetic movement of destruction. My only gripe is I wanted to see more of it. Chalk up another victim to the supressed budget. "
Hell yea!! I have hope in the following... "and a hint that they had an incredible finale planned but had to scrap it for cost reasons. In addition, they won't say what it is as it's been scripted into their next film."
Oh yea!! More "Wimmer-ish" action please!!! "Now all we need is a fight scene between Preston and Neo...that would be something."
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Post by Mark nouseforaname on Apr 22, 2003 18:45:12 GMT -5
WEll I'm in school browing the net and I just saw that review and was coming ehre to let Jen know and there it was....coolio....not a bad review either....
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Post by JenGe on Apr 23, 2003 9:19:31 GMT -5
Thanks guys for keeping an eye out for stuff. The link to the review is now on the front and DVD pages. Post any other reviews you come across here. I wonder when CHUD will get their's on-line. Another comment about Man Room's review. On his message board he stated that it would have scored in the 9+ range if the features had been better.
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Post by kingdaywalker on Apr 27, 2003 20:55:30 GMT -5
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Post by pyro on Apr 28, 2003 11:44:24 GMT -5
i read this on yahoo movies
Equilibrium April 24, 2003 - Wayne Rowe, DVDFile.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Even without reading his review, I know Roger Ebert liked this one, because this disc's case is littered with his praises. While I'm sure his review mentions other aspects of the story, the acting and the production values, the blurbs are limited to "Great movie with guns!" and "If you like movies about action, you'll love this movie!" Yet many critics didn't much care for this film, and judging by the fourteen or so other people who got to see it in the theater, word of mouth wasn't strong. Now having seen it, I have to disagree with ol' Ebert.
More about this DVD • DVD Info • Movie Main Page • Message BoardHaving experienced the very exciting trailer online, I went in expecting greatness. Besides, just a few months earlier I was fortunate to catch another discarded Miramax gem, Below. Perhaps my expectations were set far too high, or maybe it was just snowing too hard that night? Because, boy, was I disappointed! Sure, the cursory things about Equilibrium are fantastic, like The Matrix-esque costume design, the future world ripped off from 1984, and the fact that the main characters are called "Grammaton Clerics." And I didn't want much more than a simple action-packed, futuristic morality play. But what the other thirteen viewers and I got was so much less than even that.
The year is, oh, I don't remember, but who really cares besides those marketing folks? It is sometime in the future, after man has all but destroyed himself. A great world leader has duped humankind into believing that emotions, and anything inciting emotions (i.e. paintings, books, etc.) are the root of all evil and must be Fahrenheit 451'd. To enforce the figure-less dictator's teachings, a new breed of super cops are developed, the aforementioned "Grammaton Clerics." Oh, that and "Prozium," a drug every person must inject into his or her neck daily to dull sensory perception. Given almost unlimited power, the black-clad clerics (who also happen to be fearless martial artists a la The Matrix) can take out the bad guys with the greatest of ease, and do so many times, usually after ten minutes of the Gestapo-like machine gunning of everything in sight. The dramatic conflict arises as the top Cleric misses a dose and starts to feel... emotions. Interesting paradox ensues, but more often than not, it all leads up to a big action scene.
Equilibrium is a muddled action-allegory that doesn't know what it wants to be and tries too hard when it does. The writing is the biggest detriment, as writer and director Kurt Wimmer blatantly borrows from every sci-fi movie ever made and takes the superficial road already much traveled. Here, he unremittingly pummels us with vignette after vignette, exposing the audience to how awful it is to be without emotion, yet without ever truly delving into any greater theme beyond the obvious. I can understand that feeling emotions are good and a dictatorship is bad, but then I already knew these things going in. Without even the slightest anticipation that I would be surprised, slogging through all the poor exposition about why in this futuristic world we've lost touch with our "feelings" is tiresome, and I quickly lost interest. Equilibrium's heavy-handedness, coupled with the over-the-top action and ridiculous Forrest Gump ending, effectively cancels itself out.
Perhaps with lowered expectations and knowing that the climax may be worth waiting for, you may like Equilibrium. Yes, there are lots of guns and bullets. Yes, even with a low budget the production values are often spectacular. Yes, there are plot twists here and there that are fun. But as a whole? I can see why Miramax pulled the plug on this one. Even a cast of wonderfully talented (and very underutilized) actors, including Christian Bale, Taye Diggs, and Emily Watson, can't save it. But perhaps the person who should be worried the most is Wimmer, whose next project is apparently headed in the same "seen-it-all-before" direction... I fear a terrible Michael Bay cloning may have taken place.
I wanted to enjoy Equilibrium, I really did - who isn't excited by the prospect of new and exciting sci-fi? - and I am very glad that there are people who did dig it. And I'd love to see more of this type of para-independent filmmaking. But for now, I'll have to settle and get my thought provoking allegories out of movies that don't really want to be popcorn munchin' action extravaganzas.
i want to everyone to share in the anger i have towards this man
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Post by JenGe on Apr 28, 2003 15:32:55 GMT -5
You know .... sitting here reading it ... I could nick pick apart his review (such as "and do so many times, usually after ten minutes of the Gestapo-like machine gunning of everything in sight" ?? ) just as he did the film but why bother?? You either feel the film or you don't. I think it's as simple as that. Those who don't "feel" the message seem burdened by it.
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Post by -mark- on Apr 28, 2003 19:00:40 GMT -5
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Post by JenGe on Apr 28, 2003 21:47:37 GMT -5
Hey Mark, Thanks for posting that. I'll add it to the front page tomorrow. Great pictures I can jack. I think that review is a perfect example of someone who didn't "feel" the film and yet appreciated the action anyway. On a side note... at this hour EQ has broken into the top 100 at Amazon. It currently ranks 91 but this is updated hourly and due to change.
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Post by JenGe on Apr 28, 2003 21:53:16 GMT -5
Here is my favorite picture from that review... And we finally have something for Sean Bean fans...
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Post by -mark- on Apr 30, 2003 11:01:27 GMT -5
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Post by JenGe on May 2, 2003 6:14:02 GMT -5
I noticed that a lot of the main outlet chains are using info from All Movie Guide. Best Buy uses their review which finds a critic that actually seems to have understood the film.
~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide For action movie fans, it's rare to find a film that has anything on it's mind other than trying to out-explode the biggest and latest brainless romp in the theaters. With director Kurt Wimmer's Equilibrium, audiences were given a little more to chew on, deliberately echoeing Orwell's 1984, with touches of Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451 just to be safe. While some scoured at the heavy-handedness of the science fiction material and the lack of originality in the ideas, those who stayed were treated to one of the freshest films in a now-tired genre. By inventing a fighting technique known as "Gun-Kata", the filmmakers created an excuse for filmgoers to buy into some of the most stylish, fun, and kinetic gun battles this side of Hong Kong cinema. Far too easily compared with The Matrix, this low-budgeter relies on virtually no wire-work and instead turns the focus onto the play of light, well-staged choreography, and fierce editing as it's main filmmaking allies. It's surprising then that some of the film's best moments are the most quiet ones... Christian Bale's awakening to the senses he's been taught and bred to ignore is note-perfect and the most memorable of the film. With equally strong performances from the rest of the cast and gorgeous art design surrounding them, Equilibrium deserved more of a chance than it's studio Dimension originally gave it upon release. And while the ideas it embraced admittedly weren't the most original, they are timeless and strong enough to be reexamined and interpreted every so often by artists such as these. Exciting, beautiful, and filled with probably more intelligence than it should have, Equilibrium is the thing that cult classics are made of.
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Post by -mark- on May 2, 2003 16:04:20 GMT -5
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Post by JenGe on May 3, 2003 13:16:14 GMT -5
Hey thanks again!! Its now on the DVD page.
I think that Nick nails it with this...
"This is either one of the more artful science fiction actioners in a long time or the most science fiction and action laden art film in a long time. The balance between drama and spectacle is 90/10 and the emphasis is always on plot, character, and tone..."
The artsy/fartsy critic types can't identify with the action/sci/fi gun loving element of Equilibrium but then in turn some few action lovers actually have a difficult time with the emotional, artistic ambiance of the film.
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Post by Mel on May 3, 2003 15:16:33 GMT -5
um I know this isn't strictly on the ropic but could anyone tell me when, and indeed if this film is being released in the UK!! I can't seem to find any info on the net and am becomming seriously worried!!
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Post by JenGe on May 3, 2003 18:07:08 GMT -5
Hi Mel, If you are talking about the theatrical release I hate to break it to you but you missed it. It was March 14th. Here is the UK site for the film - Equilibrium @ Sci/Fi UKI'm not sure on the release date for the DVD in the UK. I'll check and get back to you.
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Post by Mel on May 4, 2003 7:08:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the link - I did mean the DVD release date - I saw the film at the cinema and was completely blown away!
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Post by JenGe on May 4, 2003 7:40:57 GMT -5
Ok, according to Black Star's search under "Equilibrium" it states a forthcoming date as Dec. 2003. Their main page though for EQ for some odd reason doesn't mention this date so I'm sure its not a stable one. My suggestion would be to take advantage of their notification system on that page. Equilibrium @ Black Star UK
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Post by koalabear on May 4, 2003 9:47:55 GMT -5
I just bought the Zone 1 DVD here in Hong Kong and it's fantastic. I had never even heard of the movie and bought it just because the cover looked kind of cool (shallow of me) and was absolutely blown away. The gun kata is absolutely amazing. The "documentary" is too short though and I would have liked a commentary that also included the actors. For some reason the director gives two commentaries!
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Post by JenGe on May 4, 2003 10:55:23 GMT -5
YES!! Score 1 for the marketing department!!
So koalabear what exactly was it about the cover that made you take notice?? The heads?? The guns??
BTW, glad you found the site!!
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Post by koalabear on May 4, 2003 11:18:51 GMT -5
It was a combination of the heads and the guns and also I'd just seen Reign of Fire which was surprisingly good (in my opinion). I really do wish there was more of the movie though. One sad thing in the commentary is where Kurt Wimmer says that the movie was eviscerated by the critics with a savagery normally reserved only for established directors and that this wasn't a movie for cynics. I totally agree. To be moved by the scenes like the music sequence, saving the puppy etc, you just CAN'T be a cynic. You have to buy into it. This is a fabulous site - I am so glad I found. Becuase the movie was not "enough" for me, I was actually in search of fan fiction and then found this site. Back cover is funny though - they've tipped the scene where Preston is pinning Mary to the table and made it look as though he's actually pinnning her to a wall - with her hair defying gravity
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Post by JenGe on May 4, 2003 11:26:49 GMT -5
Interesting, I actually found Equilibrium because of Reign of Fire as well. Had no clue that Bale could even do action.
Anyway, I can't wait to hear the commentaries!!
Yea, I've seen this on some websites as well. The first time I saw it I just cracked up.
So glad to hear that the site had what you were looking for!!
JenGe
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Post by koalabear on May 4, 2003 19:07:00 GMT -5
I was just re-reading the cover. I think I bought it despite the heavy-handed references to the Matrix rather than because of it. Front cover: "Forget 'The Matrix'! This movie will blow you away!' - WBAI Back cover: "Delivering awesome high-tech action in the power-packed style of The Matrix and Minority Report ...." Comparisons are inevitable but for jaded fans who are tired of EVERY single movie being called Matrix-esque, it's probably no a great way to sell a movie. Then again - I DID buy it anyway
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Post by BMaloney on May 4, 2003 21:37:29 GMT -5
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Post by koalabear on May 4, 2003 22:24:05 GMT -5
Hi Brian, From my post in another thread - you'll see that I was lucky enough to buy a copy of the DVD so I was reading it off the back cover..... I think the blurb doesn't do the film justice but I'm encouraged by the fact that I bought it anyway without even knowing what it was about I figured Christian Bale and Emily Watson in a movie together had to be good. It was a bonus when I realised Sean Pertwee (who I love) was also in it ... well kinda The commentaries are great although I do feel bad for the director. He's constantly saying - we ran out of money, I would have liked to have done it better, but we ran out of money, or it was expensive to do this or that." It seems like they did an amazing job considering the financial constraints they had imposed on them.
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Post by Mel on May 5, 2003 16:17:09 GMT -5
Thanks for helping - I'll just have to wait now
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Post by JenGe on May 5, 2003 17:44:10 GMT -5
Ahh where can I get the back cover stuff?? I haven't seen that.. Maybe we can get someone to scan it..... koalabear....you got a scanner??
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Post by koalabear on May 5, 2003 20:23:01 GMT -5
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Post by -mark- on May 5, 2003 22:16:15 GMT -5
Awesome thanks for the image and giving us a sneak peek!!
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Post by koalabear on May 5, 2003 22:21:07 GMT -5
You're welcome!!! I bought it on 3 May (never having seen it before) and have now watched it about four times. I think I'm addicted I'm just so relieved that there's a place online to discuss the movie - it never even made it to Australia let alone HK and barely anyone I know has heard of it let alone seen it. I have already begun the conversion process though
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