Equilibrium

2002 • 107 minutes

About this movie

Delivering awesome high-tech action in the power-packed style of The Matrix and Minority Report, Equilibrium stars Christian Bale (The Fighter) and Taye Diggs (TV'sPrivate Practice) in a thrilling look at a future where the only crime is being human. In an attempt to end wars and maintain peace, mankind has outlawed the things that trigger emotion-literature, music and art. To uphold the law, a special breed of police is assigned to eliminate all transgressors. But when the top enforcer (Bale) misses a dose of an emotional-blocking drug, he begins to realize that things are not as they seem. Also starring Sean Bean (National Treasure) and Emily Watson (Red Dragon).

Ratings and reviews

It's a dystopian future. No artistic expression or creativity made possible for daily injections. War is "no more," thanks to the oppressive totalitarian state. Enter Christian Bale as the widower John Preston. He's a combat-trained Grammaton Cleric. He's one of the best, but he accidentally misses his daily injection and discovers the world of feelings. Bale is wonderfully cast to portray Preston as the expressionless enforcer, and director Kurt Winner incorporates some stylish action scenes with his fictional "gun kata," but the movie borrows ways too many ideas to make it feel truly worthwhile. There's nothing that really stands out in this movie from its science-fiction predecessors, and its plot seems out of character for the protagonist. Equilibrium was a box office disaster (returning just $5.3 million worldwide on a $20 million budget) and received mixed to negative reviews.

Don't go in thinking that this movie is something intensely groundbreaking and different, but rather go in with the intent to see a fun action flick with sci-fi underpinnings. No question it's got lots of Matrix inspiration. It's aged decently well and worth at least one watch. I'll watch it again myself eventually. No regrets here.

One of the best sleeper sci-fi movies of all time. It's an excellent idea, filled with super-slow-motion super-adventure excitement. My general rule is that every minute of slo-mo degrades a movie one notch from five stars, so Equilibrium needs to be something like a negative 50 stars - but I will temporarily suspend the rule for the Matrix style fx that makes the movie. This is Assassin in a future setting. The all-star cast can be forgiven for emotionless acting, since of course, the characters are largely to be without emotion. It's derivative, and pretentious, but a whole lot of fun. Bring the popcorn and enjoy.