Equilibrium

Equilibrium ist ein solider B-Movie, der die gute visuelle Seite und das gute Thema nutzt. Leider ist der Film aber auch klischeehaft und vorhersehbar. Es ist eine pop-mäßigere Version von Lucas’ THX 1138, die für ein jüngeres Publikum bestimmt ist, das mit Computerspielen aufgewachsen ist. Kurt Wimmer ist nicht schlecht. Wenn er reif ist, kann aus ihm ein großer Regisseur werden. (05.06.2003)

A slightly schizophrenic mix of 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Minority Report and The Matrix. Some may like it, but it doesn't work together for my taste. The beginning was promising, though, an oppressive vision of an Orwellian society, with the excellent Bale as a cleric discovering his feelings. It had atmosphere, it had depth, but as time went on it became more and more of a mess, kept afloat by the few scenes of Bale and Emily Watson together. I wish Wimmer would make a proper action flick next time, because the final action sequence was excellent. PS: My wish was granted 4 years later, unfortunately. (20.09.2003)

The fight scenes aren’t cool, they are ridiculous. (09.09.2009)

Der Kultstatus des Films Equilibrium bleibt für mich in der Tat ein Rätsel, zumal dieser Film seine B-Filmhaftigkeit noch nicht einmal wegen des spärlichen visuellen Aspekts leugnen kann, die in einigen Passagen buchstäblich nach billiger Actionsache mieft, selbst nicht mit einem Drehbuch, das einen sehr interessanten totalitären Orwell-Bradburähnlichen Handlungstrang entfaltet, jedoch auf Kosten läppischer Wendungen und nicht allzu überzeugenden Nachbauten. Noch nicht einmal die choreografische Seite des Equilibriums kann mit der Brillanz des Matrix mithalten. Die futuristische Kampfkunstart sieht lediglich in bestimmten Momenten gut aus, manchmal hingegen eher wie ein übertrieben beschleunigtes Hin-und-Hergehaue. Kurt Wimmer ist in der Tat kein Regiegenie, und das gedrosselte Budget ging ihm sicherlich nicht auf die Hand, so dass sein Film einen unausgeglichenen Eindruck hinterlässt, die billig anmutenden Momente wechseln sich mit gelungenen ab, guten Bildkompositionen folgen wiederum so richtig verkorkste Aufnahmen. Am meisten hat mir somit Christian Bale in der Hauptrolle gefallen, der zwar nicht blendend ist, jedoch spielt er seine Partitur mit Überblick (wenn auch ohne das Reeves Charisma). Insgesamt schien mir Equilibrium eine vielversprechende Skizze zu sein, die jedoch von übermäßig auffälligen B-filmartigen Buntstiften eingedämmt worden ist. (07.01.2007)

Equilibrium is a sort of hybrid trying desperately to please. It would really like to be a philosophical sci-fi reflecting (not only) current affairs and at the same time eye candy full of cool things for the younger generation. In the first case, this effort leads to lame and smart sounding literality that’s enough to make you sick. There is not one originally presented thought here, or rather it has no thoughts at all. Fahrenheit 451°, Brazil and A Clockwork Orange can all continue to sit of their pedestals in peace. In this respect the creators really lost it. On the other hand, the action part works pretty well. If you take into account the movie’s low budget. Christian Bale is the only one holding everything together here with his charisma that also manages to hide his uninspiringly written character. So this is no second Matrix. Just a barely average B-movie playing hard to be something more than it is. And I don’t like that. (15.11.2007)

A genre mix with an idea that not even the legendary 1984 managed to bring to its end. What is missing here in some passages in action, makes it better. It is a pity for the slow start, which instead of an exciting action sci-fi ride, resembled a tired post-apocalyptic story. The rest is visually attractive and intellectually engaging, on the second try even more abundant and complex. (03.05.2006)

I'd take those nifty sleeves and pockets, too... What would the world be like if we couldn't feel? Like this? Better? Worse? Would it even be at all? No, I don't want to know. I feel. You feel. We feel. And that’s how it will be as long as the last person breathes. A very beautiful film. Makes me think a lot – once the credits start rolling, that is. Otherwise, I enjoyed the spectacle throughout. The shooting and the hidden emotions. I hate strict regimes; that is, unless they're breaking down. (25.05.2008)

Typical case of a movie where the opinions of film critics and fans sharply diverged, immediately after its release it had, I guess, 80% rating. I really liked it on the screen. After leaving the cinema, I would give it 75% overall impression, but I am convinced that upon the second viewing it would go down by about 15%. With this kind of movies, it's like when you meet a charming girl and on the second date she comes without makeup... Decent performances and tricks, visually it's polished, but the screenplay and the level of dialogues - not impressive. (04.05.2007)

The urban-industrial feeling is great, kind of retrofuturistic, it slightly reminds me visually of V for Vendetta. The action is great but lacks a bit of budget (but it still has a lot of energy and power), and the flashy explosion scenes are not exactly the great, but they are alright for an action B-movie with reasonable ambitions. Christian Bale is likeable and the idea is deep, although simple. There are some flaws, but nothing major. This film has pace and drive and knows what it wants to say and how. That's the main thing. (07.07.2014)

Today this is an almost cult-classic that makes the most of the excellent premise of a world devoid of emotions and the performance of Christian Bale, who’s incredibly cool in his role sporting a cold gaze that only a handful of actors can match. The Matrix-style action, however exaggerated and silly, is wonderfully entertaining and brisk, the story is lightning-fast, with a pace that doesn't let up for a moment. Of course, the term visual orgy fits this movie better than any other sci-fi flick, but director Wimmer did a great job, even with regards to the plot, which certainly does not disgrace Equilibrium, quite the opposite. In my list of sci-fi movies this one is ranked pretty high. (08.04.2012)

Definitely a film for me that made me realize how scared filmmakers are of proper action sequences these days. Visual splendor, amazing music, great sets, and the final fight with the main bastard is a choreographed delicacy. I'll also mention the fast direction, the clever cinematography, and the really superb editing, especially of the action scenes. And yet the vision of a world without emotions – the filmmakers took on too much with that. From that perspective, it's quite a mess. That's why I’m not giving it a 5. (11.10.2004)

When I saw the movie for the first time a few years ago, it couldn't have been long after the premiere, I was amazed by the idea. Today, I feel that this is a terrible rip-off. The idea is not bad, but it is unnecessarily wrapped in a Matrix-like disguise. The film wants to look unnecessarily good, but in the action scenes, it just doesn't hide the fact that the screenplay is a weakness after all. It's not that surprising. Once it amazed me, today it only pleased me, but not much. (11.12.2013)