equilibrium

“Equilibrium” was an interesting modestly budgeted science fiction film that showed up on the heels
of “The Matrix.” I am stymied as to why it was compared with that movie when it is really nothing like
“The Matrix” in story and markedly better overall. Make no mistake, “Equilibrium” is not an original
science fiction film. In fact, it is yet another entry into the sub-genre of “one man rebels against the
oppressed society of the future” routine. We’ve seen this before with films like “Logan’s Run” and
“THX-1138.”

In “Logan’s Run,” Michael York rebels against a society that kills everyone over the age of 30, even
though he was formerly one of the officers that enforced the horrific law. When the computer
makes a mistake and shortchanges him on his lifespan, he rebels violently. In “THX-1138,” Robert
Duvall is part of a society controlled by prescribed sedatives. When he stops taking his medicine,
he “wakes up” and realizes that his world is oppressive and he must escape.

Combine those films and you have “Equilibrium.” Christian Bale ("Batman Begins") plays a guy
living in a society where emotion is outlawed and all forms of art and literature are banned because
they inspire stimulus. If you’re caught emoting, you are executed and Bale is one of the
executioners. Everyone takes Prozium, a sedative that represses emotions. When Bale misses a
few doses, he “wakes up” and is bent on toppling the fascist hierarchy that rules them.

The movie is filled with tough character moments and tense sequences. For example, Bale’s
partner in hunting criminals, played by Sean Bean ("Patriot Games"), is discovered with a book and
Bale has to make the hard decision to shoot him. At one point, they find the Mona Lisa hidden in
the floor of an apartment and they torch the entire stash of art. No, it isn’t subtle, and yes, using
the Mona Lisa is more than overt, but it makes its point effectively. At one point, Bale, after missing
his doses, is torn about fellow agents killing a puppy. The scene is well executed even though
once again, director Kurt Wimmer and the writers opted to use the most cliché object to evoke Bale’
s reaction.

Like a lot of science fiction, there are a number of contrivances to take at face value to enjoy the
film. The biggest one is the inclusion of firearm martial arts, a fighting style that Bale is a master
of. See, you take two pistols and start jerking them around your head in various motions while
pulling the triggers. Bale can do some inhuman things with guns in this flick, but amazing gunplay
is becoming tiring in science fiction, at least for me anyway. The final conflict with the ultimate
baddie, who I won’t reveal, is a really silly looking dance as they prance around one another, both
waving pistols in that strange martial art conceived for the movie.

Ultimately though, “Equilibrium” expresses important socio-political ideas about society and where it
could go if we are not vigilant. While these ideas have been expressed before, they can never be
examined too often. I am a little disappointed that such a high concept film thematically crumbled
into a gunfight, but I am pleased to see a low budget movie of this ambitious scope achieve screen
time.