Special effects might be good at that time but not good compared to movies of the last 3 years + So so acting + Typical plot = Not good.

I had never heard of this movie until my brother told me to check it out. It was awesome! I don't wanna sound gay or anything, but I love most Bale movies. This movie has all the action and plot twists that you could look for. It is also awesome because I love the 1984 storyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was intriguing and by far one of the most original plots I've watched. Bale and Diggs perform exceptionally well. I am off to watch it again!

Equilibrium is a science-fiction movie about a universally-used drug that squelches emotions and the terminator-type character who stops taking it. Though, the story seems simple enough, Christian Bale (from Batman Begins) does some spectacular acting in this one and you can't help but hold your breath or cheer him on as the hero begins to realize what he has been fighting against all of his life. The graphics and score are also very nice, and help to carry the movie smoothly from one scene to the next, making this an enjoyable film even for those who think little of sci-fi movies to begin with (like I do). Simply put, this is a good movie!

I enjoyed this film, but make no mistake - it is a popcorn film, so take it for what it's worth.

Not even being an avid film or literary buff, I could name half a dozen other films or books this movie borrows from - the action (the Matrix), premise of thought police (Orwell's "1984"), mood control (Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep") and even the final scene (Fight Club).

The biggest problem for me is the premise itself as I found it somewhat difficult to believe - the idea that to eliminate the threat of war, society has been reduced to the point where they all consciously (though under law) sedate themselves, lest they "feel", which is punishable by death with no due process or trial. I had a difficult time taking scenes seriously where cops are raiding warehouses where stereotypical thugs are moving illegal goods such as...paintings? Lamps? Trinkets? I guess Wimmer needed some physical representation for people being guilty of "feeling", but these types of notions just seemed like reaching for straws.

Being such a far-fetched reality is problematic is more ways than just the suspension of disbelief of the viewer - it also makes it nearly impossible for the actors to remain true to the premise. There are times when the authoritative figures themselves show emotions of happiness, satisfaction, or anger. It really seems more like a drug that eliminates all GOOD feelings, not ALL feelings. This is also consistent with how the law is upheld.

I felt the above problems could be solved in one of two ways:

1. Set in an obviously DISTANT future. This is how the Matrix sells the idea of us being "batteries" in a completely dystopia earth. Yes, Equilibrium is clearly set in the future, but there is little to suggest that it isn't near future. There's really no futuristic technology, so again, the idea of "feeling" being illegal (something that makes up our very essence) is just too far fetched for most viewers.

2. The other means of fixing it would be to have set the entire thing on an alien planet with an alien race. In my opinion, this would have been the best setting as it takes away from our innate rejection of such a premise and ultimately, a more original idea.

Even given the above complaints, the film has great production value. Wimmer does a nice job of putting you in this world. I felt the pacing was good and it was as well acted as one could hope under the film's premise. There were moments that did their job, such as several "crossroads" scenes, where Bale's character is put on the spot, between a rock and a hard place and you hold your breath wondering what he'll do.

In the end, if you're looking for a decent sci-fi futuristic action flick, this is certainly worth a viewing. If you're a film stickler and bent on original content, or something overly cerebral, it's probably a pass.

I hadn't even heard of this movie until I saw the V.A.S.T. video on YouTube for the movie. I was amazed and have to buy it.

The film is good, very different indeed...definitely a Christian Bale sort of movie. I highly recommend it - the gun fights are crazy! Not only that, but the story line is great too.

OK, we've seen this type of movie before. The oppressive future governments ruling with violence and without remorse fighting against rebels wanting to be free. Equilibrium does this style of movie so much better. How? I hear you ask. With the help of Christian Bale. My review will be in three different stages. They are the story, the characters (or character) and the review which is just my opinion on the whole thing.

The Story: In the beginning of the 21st century, World War Three ravages the Earth and almost obliterates mankind. The few survivors realise that a fourth world war would mean the end of mankind once and for all. The world is taken over by "The Father" and his Tetragrammaton government. The father believes that the cause for WW3 was human feeling and in order to prevent that it must be eradicated. They have created "prozium" which is a medication that prevents feeling. But they must also locate and destroy every piece of art, music and other such items that would cause a human to feel. John Preston is a high ranking Grammaton Cleric and is on the front line when bringing "sense offenders" to justice. The only problem is that one day when accidentally smashing one of his prozium injections, he starts to feel. Feeling is the only thing that makes us human and Preston seeks to destroy the government that is destroying basic humanity.

The Character: John Preston is played by Christian Bale, and I must say the character is portrayed superbly. John Preston is a man who has no emotion and is dedicated to the cause of the Grammaton. He's so dedicated that he even allowed his wife to be executed for being a "sense offender." Preston also executed his partner and friend for being a "sense offender." This goes to show you the ruthlessness of Preston when he believes in his cause. The interesting part of him, however, is when he goes through the transformation of being completely emotionless to feeling things for the very first time.
He begins to dream of his wife, he begins to seek out art and music in the pursuit of emotional stimulation. Seeing him develop and seeing Bale pull it off is what makes this film tremendous.

The Review: When I first started watching this film I thought it would just bore the life out of me and I almost switched it off about 10 minutes in. This is simply due to it starting off as completely emotionless, sure the action's cool but without character emotion you're not getting much more than the odd gun fight. The film truly comes alive with the transformation of Christian Bales character. His acting ability really shines when he has to display a character experiencing emotions for the very first time.
The film is dark and at times haunting at us being reminded that such a totalitarian government could come to fruition in the near future. Until that time comes we have this film to tide us over. The action scenes are really intense and something this film holds unique to what has become quite a cliché sub genre. The supporting cast also do their job in holding their own with such a talented actor.
It's an enjoyable movie all round and I think everyone will enjoy it. It takes a while to get started but once it does it becomes something very special.

One of the previous reviewers wonders how this got by him (and by a lot of us). Box Office Mojo says that the film's widest release was 301 theaters, and that it took in about $5.4 million world-wide, so it didn't get a lot of exposure. I doubt that it returned the investiment either (though IMDB trivia says otherwise).

This is a workmanlike film, with everybody involved giving it their best shot (with the exception of the music which sounds to me like bits left over from 1996's Broken Arrow). The script is a genetic stew of chunks of The Matrix, 1984, Blade Runner, Fist of the North Star, and a parade of B and C films where the hero starts out as one of the trusted bad guys and gradually turns to the Resistance or the Revolution or a sexy Replicant, maybe.

Apparently, World War III erupted early in the 21st century. This film was released in February, 2003, according to IMDB, so I guess there's still time for things to happen in the early 21st century. Think 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome' where the MC guy says '...killing got to warring, and that was almost the end of us all.' In this world vision, negative emotion is deemed the plague that must be eliminated. The survivors all take 'Prozium' which suppresses emtion both negative and positive. As the man from Missouri said, 'That's a tough cob.' Bale is John Preston,a Cleric, one of the quasi-religious police who ferret out and take down people who insist on having feelings, which seem to be associated with old paintings and rooms full of 20th century bric-a-brac. His first partner (Sean Bean) goes over to the light side early on (think Agent D from 'Men in Black'), and Preston winds up with a new partner, the openly devious and suspicious Brandt (Taye Diggs). Much action ensues, as Preston stops taking his Prozium (didn't Richard Corben do a graphic story where everyone took a brain pill and a bod pill?).

If you're a devotee of these post-apocalytic action things, you will probably find this film interesting. There are some well-stage fight scenes, particularly toward the end as Preston fights someone who has had the same training as himself. Equilibrium is not going to make you forget The Matrix, though, certainly not the first of the trilogy (Matrix II and III are forgetable without any outside help).

If you've read Robert Heinlein's "If This Goes On--" (aka Revolt in 2100), Equilibrium will seem very familiar to you. Most of the forward momentum in this film is quite predictable, but I have to admit I wound up rooting for the 'sense offenders' rather than the anti-feeling Clerics (though the film cheats, allowing the supposed cold-natured anti-feelers to get happy, upset and even angry).

Christian Bale and Taye Diggs are more than serviceable, and look for a nice performance by Angus MacFadyen (Robert the Bruce from Braveheart). Plus, I'm still getting over Emily Watson's eyes!

If it sounds like I'm trying to have it both ways, I am. It's really a forgettable film for the general audience, but for sci-fi devotees it should not be missed.

I do not know how I missed this movie, talk about flying in under the radar. It is very well done with oustanding visuals and some great acting by Christian Bale. For those that keep referring to this film as a Matrix rip off it needs to stop. If everyone walking around in trench coats is considered Matrix like then there are quite a few movies to add to the list.

The story starts full speed with the movie that plagues the people of their emotions a brainwash if you will coupled with a drug taken periodically to tranquilize you emotions. Then moves quickly to the task force that disposes of "sense offenders", basically people that have feeings. The society the task force is trying to preserve is one of no emotion. This no emotion society is supposed to be a cure for anger, hatred, grief, sadness, sorrow etc. all the thing that caused the WWIII that these people survived. Through the processing(killing) of the sense offenders you get to see a very unique gun visual. The technique is called "gun-kata" and it is a fighting style that maximizes movement and angles to interpret your assailants moves as well as giving optimum angle for your attack to inflict the most possible damage. See it once and you will definitely think that is the coolest thing ever. After the awe factor of "gun-kata" wears off our lead Bale forgets to take some of his tranquilizer and soon starts feeling emotion again. He continues down this path of feeling and soon leads a revolution. I won't throw in spoilers because I want everyone to see the film and find out the outcome.

Outstanding movie, perfect fit for Bale and full of action with a mind provoking story line as well. Highly recommended for fans of darker sci fi settings and anyone who likes John Woo action films, because it is full of two pistol firing mayhem. A must see for Bale fans he is phenomenal in this performance.

I am so glad I decided to take heed to all the 5 star ratings for this film I had never even heard of before and go ahead and rent it. This was a truly fantastic action movie. Bale is a very good actor and I like the projects he selects. I wish this film had gotten more notice. I would like to see more films like this come out, action sci-fi with a message about humanity. Don't dumb it down, producers. This is the way to go, if only it can be better promoted so people find out just how great such movies really are.

It's been a couple of months since I saw this. My wife and I thought it was pretty good. The premise is good, the concept doesn't fall down anywhere. It was kind of like The Matrix meets Terry Gillam kind of thing if you know what I mean. Actually, the film was of a more intelligent nature than The Matrix. suggestion: rent it before you buy it.

If you are a fan of "Dark City," you will enjoy this visual treat - a dance macabre, a vicious, graceful delight, and critique of antidepressants. Totally original, yet an homage to Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and Lang's "Metropolis." Christian Bale is subtle in portraying both control and loss of control, each emotion a careful part of the narrative, he grows in depth as each painful experience of emotion is peeled back from the drug-induced onion-skin. There is nothing over the top with this layering, this cleric/assassin grows in character and depth. The song "What Have They Done to Me" by Visage (The Anvil) could be the soundtrack here, or just about anything by "Sisters of Mercy." Sean Bean is always excellent, as is Emily Watson. As an aside, never has a puppy looked so lovable. This movie haunts the past and suggests a possible future. Wake up. Take off your gloves. Feel life. As with true Sci-Fi, moral questions are framed within new technologies, our choices as human beings are further stretched by each innovation, perhaps to breaking point. Is this the future, is it the past? In an almost recognizable, unfamiliar environment, the elements that consist of a soul, of a society, are confronted, making "Equilibrium" both futuristic and ancient in its concerns. You also might enjoy the "Riddick" and "Underworld/Evolution" films.

At the dawn of the 21st century, society was faced with a great Third World War, and knowing that something had to be done to prevent further problems, humanity was faced with the dilemma of solving all of man's troublels. As a result, they created a new enforcer of the law, the Grammaton Clerics, a collection of warriors who practice gun kata to improve their lethality while executing their sole task of eradicating any instance of feeling within humanity.

To control the general public, daily dosage of Prozium are self-administered, similar to the daily dosages of Soma in Brave New World, except this opiate of the masses elimites melancholy, rage, hate, and jealousy, as well as the suppressing positive feelings of pathos, joy, and love. Similarly, destruction of all that creates feeling, literature, art, all that gives us emotion, just like the firemen in Fahrenheit 451. Large-scale indoctrination is accomplished through the visualized, Apple commerical-esque, Big Brother screens of 1984 (used later in V for Vendetta). The combination of the three classic dystopian tales is flawless, each blending into the other, and the collective producing realism and fear for what could easily be a not-so-distant future.

Two Grammaton Clerics, John Preston (Christian Bale) and Errol Partridge (Sean Bean), have worked together to "protect" society. However, Errol has been confiscating sense offender material. Eventually, John catches Errol because he had been sneaking outside of the city to commit sense crimes. When he is eventually uncovered face-to-face, John must bring his partner in for justice. His partner would rather die than be captured or give up feeling, and in a final act of defiance he quotes a passage from his book and raises his book to cover his eyes.

Partridge's final words would later haunt John in a dream, as they serve as the catalyst for his finaly memory of his wife, the moment of her sense crime incarceration and eventual incineration, and he remembers with horror his still, emotionless inaction.

The following morning John drops his dosage of Prozium. His sone recommends a trip to Equilibrium for a replacement dosage. Only, John doesn't go, and he begins to feel, to sense and perceive all the wonderful feelings previously unknown. Soon, he enjoys the touch of an intricately designed vase, cries at the sound of Beethoven, and risks everything by protecting a puppy from extermination.

The gun battles are equisitely designed and choreographed, a little Matrix crossed with a little Jet Li action. Christian Bale delivers an impressive performance as a man who is initially wooden, and later severely troubled by his actions.

Eventually John must face the battle between his logic and his emotions, his allegiance and his freedom, as he comes to terms with what he has done, what he has become, and what he wishes for the future.

Like all good sci fi, Equilibrium is about the world of today, not tomorrow. How much of our souls are we willing to trade for physical security? As our government continues to strip us of our freedoms in order to "protect" us, like the Cleric we need to seriously consider what we have lost.

When I first saw this film at its first release, I confess that I would have given it only maybe 3 stars. But it has haunted me over the years and when I watched it again just recently I saw so much more in it.

And the action sequences, especially the famous Gun Kata, have a terrible beauty.

Being a sci-fi movie fan, I recently rented Kurt Wimmer's EQUILIBRIUM. Not expecting much I sat down to watch the picture and less than 10 minutes into the film I was convinced that this was going to be a GREAT MOVIE. By the time the movie ended I couldn't have been more right. EQUILIBRIUM, while not Academy Award material, is, nonetheless, an excellent science fiction film with a wonderful "classic sci-fi B-movie" feel. Set in a futuristic, post-World War III era, a new "war-less and peaceful" society has gradually risen from the ashes of a nuclear-decimated early 21st century world. Things, however, are not as peaceful as they may appear. The brave new world is not without its flaws. In an effort to prevent WW IV and to maintain "peace" at any cost, the entire population is under the control of Big-Brother Government through a zombifying, emotion-killing drug known as "prozium". The film chronicles the journey of one man - a high-ranking, highly trained, government enforcer known as John Preston - who comes to realize the serious errors (and crimes) of the supposedly "utopian society" which he's sworn to protect. In the vein of classic science fiction films like, METROPOLIS, 1984 and FAHRENHEIT 451, EQUILIBRIUM delivers the goods in terms of excellent film production, set and costume design, special effects and acting. A must-see film for any sci-fi fan that stands on it's own and apart from comparative films like MATRIX and MINORITY REPORT ( a much, much better film than Minority Report! ). A+ Highly Recommended!

First off, this tendency for comparing this film to the Matrix should cease. I feel that Equilibrium is a under-rated movie and deserves more of a better rating, i was surprised to discover that this movie came out in 2002, i heard about it only last year!
I enjoyed watching the "Gun Kata" fight sequences and Christian Bale kicking pretty much everybody's rear with a Katana Sword.
As far as the story goes, although there is nothing ground breaking, it was directed reasonably well, without being excessively cheesy and Chrisitan Bale as usual rocks.

Recommend to own. Good Movie.

---"Now the who the devil is Mr. Yochum ???"-- (check the last three reviewers)

In this movie from 2002, starring Christian Bale, It had the most creative fighting scenes ever! I loved the fighting scene at the end, where Christian Bale took on like 80 guys at once by himself and seems unhurt at the end. In comparing this movie to George Orwell's 1984, I found notable comparisons, from Christian BaLE'S CHILDREN, TO The Parson children in the novel. Both had children whom by apperances seemed loyal to the party, and willing to turn in thier parents. Likewise, the book and movie, have monitored coversations, i.e., through tvs. In both, the main character is drawn away from the desired living, and rebells. I like how Chrisitan Bale's character turns, when he accidently destroys a dosage of medicine he has to take. His orginal partner is like Syme or Julia, because they were also drawn to rebelion against the goverment.

This movie is great! the best part in the movie is when christian bale slices off ty diggs front of his face. bale is a very good main character and has many good fighting scenes. also this movie relates to 1984 becauseof the control of the goverment and the way people believe what they are told. Also i really liked how the movie ended the climax was very well put together.

Mr. Yochum's 5/6 Senior English Class.
I thought that Equilibrium was a great movie. There was a lot of action in the movie. I thought that Christian Bale was great in this movie. I also found his character John Preston to be very interesting. I found many similarities between this movie and the book 1984 by George Orwell. For instance they both have a figure that is all powerful whether it is Father or Big Brother. Furthermore in the movie and book the main character ends up having "feeling" which in there societies they are not suppose to have. Also in the book and movie there are children that work for the government and turn adults in for not following the government's beliefs. The only difference between the two is that in the book the government wins, but in the movie the government is overturned. Lastly, I found the movie to be a great thrill.

At first, I thought, a Matrix ripoff. But I was wrong. There are elements of Matrix, of course. BUT..... For the informed viewer, there are also hints of 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Logan's Run, THX 1138, Aeon Flux, I'm sure I could go on. What this means is that any good NEW tale relies on the threads of classics from before. Yes, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched this movie. By all means, watch it, and enjoy. The only problem. . . with all these English speaking actors, why didn't Bale just use his own natural accent?

I can easily see why people either love or loathe this one. Personally, it had aspects I enjoyed, as well as aspects that annoyed me, hence my middle of the road rating. In all honesty, the more I thought about it, the less I liked it, but you could also argue that the fact the film made me think about it at all after watching is a good thing...

On the plus side, there's some decent cinemetography, and sets were great. I especially liked the forced juxtaposition of drab, monotonous sets with brightly colored ones, which was especially effective in underscoring the film's theme.

As for the negative: the plot was painfully predictable -- especially if you even have a passing familiarity with 1984, Brave New World, etc. I called all but one plot point within the first 20 minutes. The script/dialogue was also hum-drum with little "good" dialogue, though the case could be made for that being intentional given the forced-emotionless milieu.

I would also consider the fight sequences to be a negative, though they actually deserve their own paragraph. Although I can see how they would be a big appeal of the film -- admittedly they were well done/choreographed within their context -- but in all honesty, I found them out of place. Having super-human moves like these make sense only within context: similar effects in The Matrix or Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon are okay because those are by definition other-worldly (a computer sim and a fantasy setting, respectively.) That is brazenly NOT the case with Equilibrium, and we are supposed to believe that someone can dodge bullets simply because of a little study on the subject. Sorry, but that's just too much suspension of disbelief for me, especially since this film otherwise purports to be grounded in "reality."

If you like films that are just fight-fests and don't really care about "plot" except as a contrived means to get you from one battle to the next, then this film will *probably* appeal to you... though it probably has too much "plot" and not enough "action" for your tastes. Personally, I like to see people using their wits (rather than their fists) to get out of sticky situations, so if you fall into a similar category, skip it. At the very least, go into it expecting a relatively brainless popcorn flick.

A stylish action film with real actors. Christian Bale's action sequences here are probably what got him the role of Batman. This film is unfortunately compared to the Matrix too often, when it stands on it's own. The movie contain much of the story line from Fahrenheit 451 and overtones of A Brave New World. A futuristic glimpse at tyranny, a nod to classic literature, good actors, and a good action director make this film well worth seeing. One of my favorites.

This movie has been likened to the Matrix. A few similarities can be seen between the movies such as themes and action involved. But that's about as far as it goes.

Equilibrium was all about realistic looking action choreography. To be honest this film has some of the best choreographed gun fights I have ever seen. And to my surprise and pleasure it puts anything in The Matrix Trilogy to shame.

Christian Bale is one of the actors that keeps getting better and better in the movies I see him in and I am turning into a fan boy of sorts.

In this movie Bale portrays a Paladin, the best of the best. Paladins are masters in the art of the Gun-Kata, a form of martial arts in which the user becomes one with his weapons and can statistically predict the trajectories and angles of return fire to maximize survivability and killing. Bale's character lives in a post WWIII society that has put a ban on emotions all emotions and a drug has been introduced to supress all emotions. Bale is void of all emotion as well and he is sent out to to remove all "sense offenders" or people who have emotions because they refused to take the drug. After missing a dose of his medication he realizes what he missed out on and begins to change his ways.

Equilibrium delivers. That's all I have to say. If you want to see a quality movie check this one out.

Excellent movie for fans of The Matrix etc. I like the "messed up future" type movies, and this is a good one, with some great fighting scenes. I'm sure you've heard this before if you are looking at the product, so I'll let the stars speak for themselves.

I've never seen this film but want to because Christian Bale is flat out brialliant. But by reading the synopsis doesn't this seem like just a different slightly altered version of Farenheit 451?

It's difficult to describe just how great this film really is, often times one cannot believe it. At first glance you'd wonder what you were seeing since it wasn't even in the theatres, let me say how wrong that choice has been.

This movie breaks all boundries of what a film should be and goes into areas that are just about brilliant. I can't tell you how wonderfully made this film was and how just completely great Bale is when acting in it. You won't even like the Matrix anymore after seeing this movie!

Anyone that gives this a bad review has no taste because it's such a great film and has so much going for it that you can hardly not watch it again. I would compare this movies entertainment value to that of Jurassic Park 1, simply to good to be true but it is...

Again they should've released this in theatres, their ignorance is their own fault because it would've smashed box office records there's no doubt about it.

With a modern day Orwellian society well in the making, Political Correctness, intollerance towards differing view points, Censoring free speech, a pharmaceutical dependant population and a willing aggressor this movie is a tale of modern times. By replacing the various players with modern day events you can see this. Even the puppy can be brought into the modern day equation by viewing this as Iran where recently several people have been arrested inprisoned and fined for owning dogs.

Welcome to the Future,right here, right now.

I love this movie!! I got it in plenty of time for Christmas and in perfect condition.

Can one be loyal to the Matrix...
in n reruns?
Yes, this is a future mind control
film patterned on the Matrix.
Only the world isn't virtual
and the low is drug induced
not plugged in.
Worlds where revolt is by a "super hero"
who is the savior.
In the true future I think we will all be our own priests
and saviors and I doubt
that as tempting as killing evil seems,
that is the solution.
Rome was brought to an end by
Christians who were not above being eaten by lions
in the coliseum.
The eastern martial arts...in a anti-utopia?!

This movie fails to deliver the science and intrigue promised. What it has a lot of is guns, guns, guns and more guns.

Based on the Gun Katas; stand in the centre of a dark room and move only your arms while 12 opponents with automatic weapons try to shoot you. Result 12 dead oponents with No injury to you, the cleric and not even a sweat!

Next,you destroy an elite police squad to save a puppy (DOG) but watch emotionless as a dozen HUMANS are lined up against a wall and slaughtered again and again and again. Conclusion: dogs are worth more than people.

You discover emotion and feelings for a woman while being videotaped in a high security prison but no one notices the display of affection and emotion in a society where emotion is outlawed.

AN elite cleric team surrounds you, the most dangerous cleric, at arm distance with their swords sheathed, you slaughter them. Not one scratch on you.

You take out the number 2 cleric in 3 seconds and 3 moves.

All this without breaking a nail or a sweat.

This movie was a total disappointment. Utterly unbeliveable. The pace was boring at times, the "battles" pointles ( the outcome was always the same) and the end was ridiculous.

I understand that several perons were moved by the actions sequences,the style copied from a famous predecessor. Remember that you are judging THIS movie!

If you like guns, guns and more guns...then this is the movie for you. For the rest of us who want some science and reason: skip Failibrium.

Just watched it. It's a really good movie IMO and very similar to V for Vendetta. In both movies, the system is overthrown by the achievements of one skilled man (of course with help from other characters and lucky circumstances). While V remains in the underground, main character Cleric John Preston is a government official. By first accidentally and later intentionally leaving out his daily dose of sedative drugs (which all of the population has to take), his "awakening" is initiated. Because of his innate ability to feel and the newly gained ability to see the cruelties of the militant, killing regime, he receives one shock after the other, but quickly learns to develop a strategic enclosure to keep his position and save his life. He meets other people in the resistance movement that play this strategic game too.

With some unexpected turnarounds, the movie is thrilling until the very end. The actors are perfectly suited for the main characters: Cleric Preston (Christian Bale) as a man of conscience and the vice-chancellor as perfect psychopath, who says in one of the last scenes (paraphrasing), "don't take away my dreams."

So, the movie is worth the money -- at least, that is -- because it presents a handy metaphor for the process of awakening, seeing, receiving shocks, building of a strategic enclosure and "acting for one's destiny", regardless of the difficulties. The shock for the audience of the movie is to see how our reality is slowly turned into that presented in Equilibrium...

Get it and spread it around!

It's an absolute tragedy to me that this movie is not more popular. With a plot based of some of the best pieces of classic literature (1984, Farenheit 451, Brave New World), how could it not be amazing. People said it was a Matrix ripoff to me, but then I actually saw it and realized it was so much better than the Matrix (which I love). The script is pretty much perfect. The special effects aren't perfect, but they still look really nice. The gunfight at the end in particular is amazing. Christian Bale's acting by the way is a pretty subtle example of greatness. Overall, this to me is just one of the most underappreciated movies of all time, and I think it's a real shame.

My husband rented this and we loved it. So I bought a copy to send to a friend. Set in the future and a bit violent so not for those who are squeamish. But the gun kata is amazing, has several good twists that are unexpected and Christian Bales gives a knock-out performance as an assassin who decides to stop supressing his emotions. Best surprise beyond the gun kata - the son's behavior during a police raid of the house, and Christian Bale's reaction to a dog he finds.

This is a B-Movie plot that doesnt know its a B-Movie plot. It tries too hard to be relevant and serious, when its all a bit silly. You cant help but be knocked over the head by the intellectual points the film tries to make. So in the end all the plot and seriousness does is take you out of the film and make the whole thing seem a bit silly.
The visuals are great, and action is great. If a bit too derivative of the Matrix.
Really what is action though if you cant get into the movie? Its all a bit empty.
And at final blush this movie doesnt capture you, so its all a bit of a wasted effort.

This futuristic film about a to the letter "cleric" (similar to 'the cleaner') who suddenly finds himself going against everything he has known.

There is no more war in a society that is without emotion thanks to a handy dandy drug that sounds an awful lot like Prozac. All things that stir emotions, literature, art, music, color are banned and those who are caught not taking their medication or collecting emotional paraphernalia pay for it with their lives. But there is an underground movement willing to risk it.

One day John (Christian Bale) breaks a vile of his medication and ends up not replacing the daily dosage. This leads to another day, and another day until finally he's hiding his dosages and killing his teammates to protect "sensors" (people who've stopped taking their medication and are feeling again) and lost puppies.

It sounds a little hokey but it is an awesome movie. Beautifully shot action scenes as well as dramatic scenes. The child who plays John's son is perfect as the emotionless child willing to turn in friend or family. The film does have reminders of other movies but it really doesn't take anything away from this film.

It was nice to see guest appearances by Angus Macfadyen (Braveheart), Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings), William Fichtner (Prison Break), Taye Diggs (Private Practice) and Emily Watson (Punch-Drunk Love).

This is going to be one of repeat viewing movies and is a must see film for any futurists or Christian Bale fans.