I finally rented "Equilibrium" and damn is this a fun movie!
In the aftermath of World War III, mankind has resorted to drastic measures to curb its violent nature. In the 1984/Brave New World-esque city of Libria, emotions and all things that stimulate them, are illegalized. The citizens of LIbria are required to take a drug called Prozium II, which surpresses emotions. The drug curbs both emotional highs and lows, thus induciing people into a mostly stolid state. The drug comes in small cartridges and are injected into the neck with a small hand held device, similar to a tetnus shot.
Christian Bale ( "American Psycho" "Reign of Fire"), plays the role of John Preston; the highest ranking member of the Grammaton Clerics; an elite enforcement unit trained to seek out "sense offenders", people who have not been taking Prozium. Preston and the other clerics search for the culprits and confiscate any emotion-stimulating contraband they can find (thus meaning literature, music, films, art, etc.).
Shortly after dispatching his partner (Sean Bean, who played Borimir in LOTR) for sense offense, Preston accidentally breaks his dosage cartridge of Prozium. He attempts to get more Prozium, only to find the distribution center closed for security reasons. Over time the drug wears off and Preston is gradually shocked back into feeling......
This movie didn't do to well cuz of the numerous comparisons to The Matrix. Sure, there are simlarities: Orwellian nightmare future, sleek outfits and weapons, martial arts and acrobatic gunplay, but the similarities stop there. There is no CGI or computer effects; just great choreography and stuntwork.
Another obvious difference is the leading man can........ACT!!!!!!!!!
Even if you don't like this movie and think it's a Matrix ripoff, you CANNOT EVER deny the sheer and simple fact that Christian Bale is an infinitely better actor than Keanu Reeves could ever hope to be (not that it would take much to out-act Mr. Woah). It's a damn shame that Bale wasn't cast as Neo Anderson b/c he would have done a far better job than that fucking block of wood with (as James Parker put it) the "eerily planar face, designed to minimize wind resistance".
However, there apparently is some justice in this world. Bale has been cast to play The Dark Knight himself in the next Batman movie! I have a strong feeling this guy is going to surpass all the other actors ever to don the cape. Keaton was alright, but a bit stiff and old for the role, Kilmer was boring, and don't even get me started on "Batman and Robin". I coulnd't stomach that film for anything. I caught part of the ending where Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) is defeated, and afterwards she says "CURSES!" as in like "CURSES.....FOILED AGAIN!" What the fuck kind of early-1900's-mustached villain-tying-damsel-in-distress-to-train-tracks shit is that?
Anyways, we got Bale slated to be Bruce Wayne/Batman. Now all we need is for the rest of the cast to be good as well, a tight script, and a director who will remember to keep the movie in its Film Noir roots (Fuck You and all your neon colors, Joel Schumacher). That's all for tonight folks, peace.
And I just wanna say this cuz it's fun: "FUCK KEANU REEVES!"
In the aftermath of World War III, mankind has resorted to drastic measures to curb its violent nature. In the 1984/Brave New World-esque city of Libria, emotions and all things that stimulate them, are illegalized. The citizens of LIbria are required to take a drug called Prozium II, which surpresses emotions. The drug curbs both emotional highs and lows, thus induciing people into a mostly stolid state. The drug comes in small cartridges and are injected into the neck with a small hand held device, similar to a tetnus shot.
Christian Bale ( "American Psycho" "Reign of Fire"), plays the role of John Preston; the highest ranking member of the Grammaton Clerics; an elite enforcement unit trained to seek out "sense offenders", people who have not been taking Prozium. Preston and the other clerics search for the culprits and confiscate any emotion-stimulating contraband they can find (thus meaning literature, music, films, art, etc.).
Shortly after dispatching his partner (Sean Bean, who played Borimir in LOTR) for sense offense, Preston accidentally breaks his dosage cartridge of Prozium. He attempts to get more Prozium, only to find the distribution center closed for security reasons. Over time the drug wears off and Preston is gradually shocked back into feeling......
This movie didn't do to well cuz of the numerous comparisons to The Matrix. Sure, there are simlarities: Orwellian nightmare future, sleek outfits and weapons, martial arts and acrobatic gunplay, but the similarities stop there. There is no CGI or computer effects; just great choreography and stuntwork.
Another obvious difference is the leading man can........ACT!!!!!!!!!
Even if you don't like this movie and think it's a Matrix ripoff, you CANNOT EVER deny the sheer and simple fact that Christian Bale is an infinitely better actor than Keanu Reeves could ever hope to be (not that it would take much to out-act Mr. Woah). It's a damn shame that Bale wasn't cast as Neo Anderson b/c he would have done a far better job than that fucking block of wood with (as James Parker put it) the "eerily planar face, designed to minimize wind resistance".
However, there apparently is some justice in this world. Bale has been cast to play The Dark Knight himself in the next Batman movie! I have a strong feeling this guy is going to surpass all the other actors ever to don the cape. Keaton was alright, but a bit stiff and old for the role, Kilmer was boring, and don't even get me started on "Batman and Robin". I coulnd't stomach that film for anything. I caught part of the ending where Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) is defeated, and afterwards she says "CURSES!" as in like "CURSES.....FOILED AGAIN!" What the fuck kind of early-1900's-mustached villain-tying-damsel-in-distress-to-train-tracks shit is that?
Anyways, we got Bale slated to be Bruce Wayne/Batman. Now all we need is for the rest of the cast to be good as well, a tight script, and a director who will remember to keep the movie in its Film Noir roots (Fuck You and all your neon colors, Joel Schumacher). That's all for tonight folks, peace.
And I just wanna say this cuz it's fun: "FUCK KEANU REEVES!"
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
I think after reading your journal, I want to see this movie. Sounds very interesting. and yes, keanu sucks. I do like the matrix, but he seems to only makes me think of bill and ted and I can't take him seriously as an actor.
how is Newbury comics working for you? I remember shopping at that store in this rhode island mall and I got cool pants and toys. see you later sweetie.
divine justice indeed