Review of Equilibrium

Introduction

This film has been sitting around in someone`s shed for a while, as it was filmed in October 2000, and only opened here in March 2003. The film didn`t perform well at the US box office, and didn`t set the UK alight either. It is now available to rent on DVD. This retail DVD will be out in October 2003.

The film is set in the future, in a world where emotion is outlawed, in order to rid the world of war. Artefacts of the past are prohibited, and the population all take drugs to stop them from feeling any emotions. If this vision of the future sounds a bit familiar, you`ve probably seen one or more of the following:-

Metropolis
Fahrenheit 451
THX 1138
Nineteen Eighty-Four

Video

A pretty damn good 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer. The print is free from dust and dirt and looks really good. The future is not a very colourful place (probably what happens when you outlaw feelings and emotions), but those colours that are on display look solid. Detail levels are also very high.

There`s plenty of Matrix style action happening on screen, orgies of bullets and some mad fighting.

Audio

A booming and banging DD5.1 soundtrack assaults your ears. Lots of surround action, with hails of bullets flying around (and there`s a *lot* of gunfire), and action occurring all around the soundstage. Explosions are happening all around you and it`s just one big wall of sound. Booms, bangs and crashes mean that you should turn this one up loud to enjoy it fully. The score also helps the film along, but I`m sure I`ve heard parts of it in other films (Bad Boys sprung to mind).

Features

Ooh, extras too!

First up we have 2 commentary tracks, one featuring director Kurt Wimmer, and the other featuring him again along with producer Lucas Foster. There`s plenty of information to be gleaned from listening to these tracks, and they go into lots of details about the film (as well as moaning that they didn`t have enough money).

After such quality pair of commentaries, we have a let down in the form of a 4 minute featurette, Finding Equilibrium, which is the usual sub 5 minute PR fluff, which doesn`t tell you enough.

And then we reach the end of the line with traliers and TV spots.

Conclusion

Time for lazy comparisons once again. This film for me was a cross between The Matrix and Fahrenheit 451. It was certainly entertaining and it was mostly enjoyable. Christian Bale just about carries off the lead role, and it would have been nice to see Emily Watson given an improved role, as I was hoping for more after seeing her in Punch Drunk Love.

So if you enjoyed some of the films that I mentioned in the introduction, then you might find this interesting. It`s not too deep and philosophical, and concentrates more on the action. You`ll probably suss out what`s going to happen, but that shouldn`t stop you from enjoying it for what it is.

The DVD itself is good with excellent picture and sound, and the 2 commentary tracks for extras.

Definitely worth renting right now (the disc may differ, not sure about that though), and will probably find a few buyers when released in October.