Reviews of Equilibrium

O desequilíbrio é que traz o movimento.

Posted : 4 months, 3 weeks ago on 27 July 2009 06:53 (A review of Equilibrium)

Sem amor, a respiração é só um relógio tiquetaqueante. O propósito da existência: sentir


Outra versão da historia de “Admirável mundo novo”, assim como THX, mas com um visual Matrix, inclusive com a chamada na capa do dvd "o melhor filme de ação feito desde matrix", Equilibrium não é somente uma cópia tentando ganhar fama em cima de filmes já consagrados.


Após a terceira guerra mundial, o que restou da humanidade chegou a conclusão de que não sobreviveriam a mais uma guerra de tal proporção. Logo, resolveram eliminar o foco das guerras: Os sentimentos humanos. Para isso, a injeção da droga manipuladora de mente Prozium, tomada em massa. Também é preciso eliminar toda espécie de arte. Assim, sem sentimentos, todos viram máquinas, trabalhando a serviço da ordem e do ditador. Mas o que acontece se alguém não toma sua dose de Prozium ? Resistência. É isso que acontece com John Preston, um sacerdote (espécie de policial) que a principio não sente nada, nunca, nem mesmo quando sua mulher é levada e cremada por violar a lei.


Mesmo pra quem já leu o livro de Huxley, a história surpreende, um pouco. O Prozium é pior que Soma, pois este segundo era como um anestesiante. O Prozium desumaniza totalmente. A destruição de objetos de arte é um ponto a ser pensado. Na cena em que o quadro da Mona Lisa é queimado, quase podemos ouvi-la chorar, não de dor, mas de pena daqueles que fazem isso, destruindo a arte, sinônimo de vida, alimento para alma, arte que gera arte... enfim, triste. Também é de doer o coração a cena em que alguns cães são sacrificados, e Preston, agora sem efeito da droga, salva um filhote. Naquele projeto de futuro, em especial na cidade comandada pelo ditador,não existem animais, dá-se a entender. Nem sexo, fica claro. Podem imaginar futuro pior ?!


Como podem ver, Equilibrium, apesar da falta de recursos, alguns efeitos especiais toscos, é um ótimo filme. As cenas de ação despertaram adrenalina até melhor que matrix, mas isso é detalhe, num filme onde tantas idéias anarquistas brilham. Super interessante pensar sobre a desrobotização em que estava John Preston, a sua passagem pra luz saindo da escuridão e sua descoberta: “A primeira coisa que se aprende sobre emoção é que ela tem o seu preço”


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Very Cool

Posted : 8 months ago on 16 April 2009 06:57 (A review of Equilibrium)

For me, this is kind of like a "The Matrix Unloaded".
A very stunningly stylish movie that features action sequences that any martial arts or straight-up action flick would be proud to call it's own. And even tho the story, like The Matrix, seems like it can lose it's audience every couple of turns and again, it does have a more solid & linear structure, making it is possible for the viewer to get back onto understanding it's premise.
And I liked that since Equilibrium did not have the big budget that it's computer themed bigger succeeding cousin had, that it came up with a concept called "Gun Kata", to allow for the insane bullet hails that make these types of gun-toting movies the kind that could cause even the hardiest NRA member to bust his own cap.





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Feel what I feel...

Posted : 1 year ago on 10 December 2008 10:15 (A review of Equilibrium)

''But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.''

In a Fascist future where all forms of feeling are illegal, a man in charge of enforcing the law rises to overthrow the system.

Christian Bale: John Preston

Who doesn't want to see Christian Bale in a Sci-Fi futuristic dystopia where feelings are against the law where he can unleash hell with guns. Like someone seriously on speed this kicks some hugely good choreography and stunt work not too mention shoot outs that will have you in awe.
Christina Bale does some of his best acting and shows a tormented soul that once he starts feeling again, he enters a world of senses that ultimately set him free.

Equilibrium is the perfect example why I do not rate lower for derivativeness or unoriginality at certain times. The film is basically high-concept combination of Fahrenheit 451(1966), George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four(original published in 1949, film versions appeared in 1954, 1956 and 1984), The Matrix(1999) and a bit of The Wizard of Oz(1939) thrown in for good measure. What matters is not how original the ideas are (assuming it's not a case of plagiarism), as whether something is original or not is an epistemological problem that tells us more about our own familiarity with other material rather than the precedent status of the artwork we're questioning, but how well the material is handled. The high-concept material in Equilibrium is handled brilliantly.

''Cleric, I can only hope one day to be as uncompromising as you.''

On its surface, after a brief action-oriented beginning, Equilibrium is basically a progression from a fairly complex sci-fi film (meaning simply that it takes a lot of exposition to get up to speed) to a thriller to a gun fu-styled actioner. The progression is carried out deftly by writer/director Kurt Wimmer: who unfortunately hasn't shown the same level of elegant panache in other films I've seen from him, including Sphere(1998) and The Recruit(2003), with all of the genres somewhat present throughout the film. Wimmer is so austerely slick here that Equilibrium sometimes resembles a postmodernist automobile commercial. The transition from genre to genre is incredibly smooth.

The most impressive material on this surface level is the gun fu action stuff, which almost out guns The Matrix in style, if not volume. Preston is so skilled to be an almost invincible opponent. His solitary misstep as a fighter occurs once he gives himself over to emotion. This is nicely related to the common advice from kung fu sensei that emotion lessens one's effectiveness in combat.

''Mankind united with infinitely greater purpose in pursuit of war than he ever did in pursuit of peace.''

Of course a major factor of Equilibrium is the set of philosophical points it has to make about emotion. There are sections of the film that are appropriately dialogue-heavy, and Wimmer is more than conspicuous with these concepts. Just as important as dialogue for Wimmer's commentary on man's emotions are body language and behavior. Some viewers might see it as a flaw that characters frequently show what they consider to be signs of emotions in their comments or behavior, but that's part of Wimmer's agenda. Because it's difficult to even say just what counts as an emotion, and emotions are so wrapped-up with being sentient beings, it would be difficult if not impossible to fully eliminate them, and it's certainly not recommendable. The cast does an excellent job of portraying characters who are supposed to be mostly emotionless but with cracks in the stoic armor continually poking through.

Wimmer has a harsh view of our society's self-medication epidemic--even the title of the film seems to be a stab at the common claim that drugs like Prozac and Xanax are taken to help one erase emotion, or remain emotionless, extremes of mood, or extreme dispositions. The Equilibrium government extends this agenda into the tangible material realm as they also attempt to erase mood swings by eliminating any cultural artifacts that might promote varied moods/emotions. Wimmer seems to see it as a not-too-exaggerated extension of the modus operandi behind Prozac-like drugs.

The other primary theme is one of institutional control. Wimmer has a lot to say about unquestioningly following authorities, and he's careful to show that it's not just governmental authorities that can be a problem. He does this by tightly wrapping religious allegory with his depiction of Equilibrium's government. The leader is known as Father, and the government secret service members are clerics. Those outside of this control are shown as authentic, free, individualistic and happy despite the hardships involved with their embrace of forbidden thought/items.

Equilibrium has amazing visuals, music and action with a final showdown that will leave you satisfied.
Bale shows again that he can do action and then some. A must see.

''Be careful Preston. You're treading on my dreams.''

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O homem é o lobo do homem.

Posted : 1 year, 1 month ago on 4 November 2008 10:40 (A review of Equilibrium)

As vezes o cinema me pega de surpresa. Tô meio de bobeira, pego qualquer filme pra ver e... BOOM! "Equilibirum" fez isso comigo. Não esperava muito deste filme, porém se mostrou uma grande obra de vanguarda, futurítica e de boas atuações.

O filme conta a história de um homem que vive num futuro distante (espero), onde as pessoas tomam uma substância para não obter sentimentos (amor, raiva...) a fim de não eclodir mais nenhuma guerra mundial. Porém, este homem descobre o quanto é bom sentir emoções e decide então realizar uma revolução contra essa ditadura.

O mais interessante do filme é que ele trata, com bastante eficiência, que não precisamos de robôs para perdermos nossa personalidade. Nós somos nosso próprio perigo, nós nos matamos sem sequer nos darmos conta. É nisso que podemos voltar na história e ver o quanto Thomas Hobbes, pensador iluminista, estava certo: "O homem é o lobo do homem".

Com espetaculares cenas de muita ação e pouco fôlego, "Equilibrium" revela-se uma obra singular nas prateleiras de ação/ficção científica. Um filme de visão de mundo que une diversão e reflexão na dose certa.

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Wayyy Good

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 21 July 2008 11:16 (A review of Equilibrium)

Christian Bale is friggen legit in this movie. He plays John Preston who's a government agent who wipes out "sense offenders," people who feel in a world where feeling is not allowed. But the final body-count is not made solely on these people. Eventually, Christian Bale's character is badass and stoked on puppies all at the same time.
The concept is somewhat unoriginal but entertaining nonetheless and its got lots of neato characters and fight scenes that make it very very interesting.
Between all the whoop-ass C.B is dishing out, there are some very beautiful and touching scenes that may certainly make you tear up. And the fact that the sexiest man alive is in them makes them even better.
Equilibrium is a good movie because you watch this guy change and become more. You root for him the whole time and as he learns, you kind of learn too.. as corny as that sounds. But seriously it definitely has a good message in the movie that people need to be reminded of.

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Ridiculous, and yet Stupendously Awesome

Posted : 2 years ago on 19 December 2007 08:47 (A review of Equilibrium)

Oh, Equilibrium! I can just see the pitch for this movie. "It's Fahrenheit 451 meets The Matrix. And we create a new martial art -- with guns!" Ahh yeah, oooookay!

Except... except it is completely awesome in execution! And the Gun Kata is one of the coolest things ever. And Christian Bale is completely hot like burning fire. And he sacrifices everything he is and has for the sake of a puppy! (the most beautiful puppy on the planet!) Yay! I love this movie!

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