How's Equilibrium for a blind buy?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 1999
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really wanted to see the movie in theatres, but never had a chance. My friends went and they hated it. When it hit DVD I still wanted to see it, but the price was on the high side (I don't rent anymore having worked at Blockbuster for 2 years and knowing how they try to screw people into paying fees). I finally broke down and picked it up when I got a coupon for Borders, and it was worth it. The movie is excellent (if not entirely original), and Christian Bale gives a great performance (though Taye DIggs is wasted here). For the price you mentioned, the movie is definitely worth getting.
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Excellenet movie at an excellent price. Great Gunkata scenes as well as some interesting ideas represented in the movie. Very original considering everything else coming out these days. A definate recommendation here, especially with that price.
#6
Member
The movie's plot - not all that original, so if you're looking for a deep drama, I would think twice.
But, if you're looking for a fun action flick with more depth than the average, and some novel fight sequences, I would definitely recommend it. The whole idea that they focus on gunkata (or karate fighting combined with guns) makes for some fun action sequences. A fun film for the action or for science fiction fans to relax with. But, don't look for Matrix action as it was billed at the time it was released - the action sequences look like they were filmed with altered shutter speed effects, which can be fun to watch, but they definitely don't use the same great camera set-ups used by the Wachowskis in the first Matrix film.
But, if you're looking for a fun action flick with more depth than the average, and some novel fight sequences, I would definitely recommend it. The whole idea that they focus on gunkata (or karate fighting combined with guns) makes for some fun action sequences. A fun film for the action or for science fiction fans to relax with. But, don't look for Matrix action as it was billed at the time it was released - the action sequences look like they were filmed with altered shutter speed effects, which can be fun to watch, but they definitely don't use the same great camera set-ups used by the Wachowskis in the first Matrix film.
#9
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very well done movie. The plot is a rehash of Farenheit 451, but unlike a lot of SciFi movies, they don't F' it up - the plot handling isn't spectacular, just competent. The highly coreographed, stylized and very original gunkata is what makes the movie stand out. Plus, if you haven't seen Kill Bill yet, the trailer is on this disc and is worth about 5 or 10 replays all on its own.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought the action sequences (Gymkata) were really the best part, its a shame there were only a few. A very fresh talke on gunplay/martial arts. The movie overall is a mix of The Matrix, Fahrenheit 451 and a Philip K Dick story thrown in. Fun , overlooked movie, definitely worth the 7 bucks.
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Dumb, cheesy, laughably awful sci-fi movie with a few cool gunfights to break the tedium. If you're into that sort of thing, $7 is about the max it'd be worth spending.
Gymkata. Yes, that is an excellent comparison. Equilibrium is like the sci-fi remake of Gymkata.
Originally posted by D_N_G
I thought the action sequences (Gymkata) were really the best part, its a shame there were only a few.
I thought the action sequences (Gymkata) were really the best part, its a shame there were only a few.
Last edited by Josh Z; 01-09-04 at 08:08 PM.
#16
DVD Talk Godfather
Great movie. A breath of fresh air from some of the other action movies that have been released the last year. I paid 20 for it and it was well worth it. The commentary tracks are excellent as well.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The City of Angels
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It was a blind buy for me last year. Have since watched it 3 times and have lent it to several friends who've also really liked it.
Excellent performances, stylish direction, effective set design & art direction (on a miniscule budget), even some decent CG. Worthwhile commentary track, too.
Excellent performances, stylish direction, effective set design & art direction (on a miniscule budget), even some decent CG. Worthwhile commentary track, too.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NY
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really enjoyed this movie a lot more than I thought I would and there are very few times that a film actually exceeds my expectations. I skip many films in the theaters and delegate some to be purely a rental (my logic is why rent a film for $3 when you can buy it for a few dollars more then sell it used if it does suck).
Equilibrium, like Kevin Reynolds' Count of Monte Cristo, are films that I rented with no expectation to own. I watched them and they immediately went on my Must Own list.
The problem is that since I paid for the rental then bought, I paid $3 more than I should have.
So based on that logic and the entertainment factor of the film itself I wholeheartedly recommend the blind buy of Equilibrium at that price.
Equilibrium, like Kevin Reynolds' Count of Monte Cristo, are films that I rented with no expectation to own. I watched them and they immediately went on my Must Own list.
The problem is that since I paid for the rental then bought, I paid $3 more than I should have.
So based on that logic and the entertainment factor of the film itself I wholeheartedly recommend the blind buy of Equilibrium at that price.