Movie Review: Equlibrium

 

Bored late at night, I decided to watch something on Netflix. Craving something simple and fun, I decided to check out this movie "Equilibrium". Having heard a few things about it, I have to say that this movie is awful, but strangely entertaining. Taking place in a Fascist society where emotions are outlawed, the predictable narrative follows a high ranking government member who decides to stop taking his medication for emotion, and becomes the leader of the rebellion....sound clichéd and boring? Well it is. The only part of this movie that makes it entertaining is the action. An insanely over-the-top martial arts known as "Gun-Kata" (yes, they really say that word) is employed by Bale and his fellow "Clerics". Its so stupid that its awesome, and is just plain hilarious and enjoyable  to watch.

Christian Bale is a fine actor, but he seems to be sleepwalking through this dredge of a film. Emily Watson is completely wasted, and Sean Bean (in classic Sean Bean fashion) is shot in the face within the first 10 minutes. Performances are boring and silly, and the cast is wasted with inane and expository dialogue. The movie is almost like a parody of science fiction films with its acting.

Technically, the film is a mess, Bad camera angles, and really bizarre editing in action scenes makes people look jerky and video game like. The sound is bad as well, as guns sound like peashooters, and with entire scenes revolving around constantly firing guns, it's a real shame.

On a spiritual level, the film is about how emotions make us human, but honestly, its not worth talking about. This is a shallow, silly film, that is only entertaining for its insanity and campy thrills......"Gun-Kata"...a word so stupid and ridiculous sums up this whole movie.

Rated R for violence