Equilibrium (2002) Review

Equilibrium (2002)

Equilibrium follows John Preston, a Cleric, who, after killing his partner for being a sense offender, has his reality shattered as his parting words open up a whole new world to John, one of feeling, love, and freedom. 

Set in a callused future where war is seen as part of human nature, Equilibrium presents a vision where emotions are now a thing of the past, and with them, anything that can influence such feelings have been outlawed. As is usually the case in these types of films, Preston is an ideal citizen, and a Cleric, with the responsibility of upholding sense laws of the Libria, who, little by little is exposed to the wonders of emotion and free thought. And this, particularly, is what the film does best, as it allows us to really experience the simple, beautiful joys of life through John’s eyes as if it were the first time for both him and us.

Oddly enough though, Equilibrium is like someone’s attempt at making a dystopian, 1984/V for Vendetta-like adaptation but then at the last second, they saw The Matrix and said “Oh shit, throw some of that in there”. The whole gun kata thing is actually a pretty interesting concept (which would be utilized fully come films like Matrix: Reloaded and John Wick), but when laid to the contrast of this neo-fascist, dystopian tale, it’s just strange. 

We do get a solid cast too, starring Sean Partwee, Matthew Harbour, William Fichtner, Sean Bean, Angus Macfayden, Taye Diggs, Emily Watson, and Christian Bale. Bale still seems to stuck in American Psycho mode with this role, which doesn’t quite fit, though Watson and Bean put small dents in the emotional wall he throws up. 

Equilibrium, directed by Kurt Wimmer, is actually a decent stab at that 1984ish, dystopian evolution type of story, though it’s Matrix similarities are sure to overshadow much of the film’s core message. 

7.1/10