Equilibrium HD-DVD
What?
After a Third World War killed a huge proportion of the world's population, mankind knew they could not survive a fourth. In a bid to stop any future wars and maintain peace, emotion was made illegal. A new arm of the law was created to make this happen: The Grammaton Cleric. Feelings were outlawed, possessions banned - anyone found committing any 'crimes of feeling' are incinerated. A drug known as Prozium is taken by everyone to eliminate feeling, it allows everyone to lead identical lives, eliminating rage, grief, and jealousy, and ultimately conflict. These laws are enforced with no leniency, but when top enforcer (Christian Bale) misses a dose of Prozium and starts to [i]feel[/i], all hell breaks loose as he begins to ask himself if he's fighting for the right side.
Back when Equilibrium was originally released the film made quite a name for itself across the internet. Fans on net forums around the world were been raving about the fight scenes and a quotes on the US DVD box even demanded you "forget The Matrix!".
Yes the action scenes are impressive - actually they are more than impressive, most of them are jaw to the floor, downright amazing. But the story is desperately flawed. We are asked by the director to ignore the major flaw in the film; the fact that feeling is illegal, but how does anyone function at all? How is it that a cleric manages to smile and even laugh, get angry to the point of shouting and one cleric is asked if he was close to his ex-partner - surely this would not have been possible? I know I'm being picky, but this fact kept eating away at me throughout the entire film. Director/writer Kurt Wimmer does say in the commentary that we are talking about extreme emotions, the major ups and downs, but still the entire film is basically based on a premise that doesn't work. Annoying plot holes aside, I have to get back to the film's saving grace, the action. The gunplay from Bale is breathtaking to say the least, a strange hybrid of guns and martial arts called gun-kata, I was blown away with what I saw on screen. The fight scenes featured in this film are some of the most amazing I have ever seen and saved the film from the low-budget sci-fi wilderness. Equilibrium isn't a great film, it's obviously flawed, some of the acting is wooden from a group of actors who were mostly poorly cast and a lot of the costumes look like they were taken out of Flash Gordon. Good moments sure, but it fails in too many areas to come anywhere near close to making you "forget The Matrix".
Optics:
Because of the grey/black colour palette Equilibrium was never going to be a film that blew you away on DVD whether talking stanard or high defintiion. Black levels are impressive with some very strong moments in the darkest scenes but its the flashes of light and colour amongst greyness that impress here. Throughout the film there are moments where the gloom is lit up - this is where image really comes to life. Natural light might reflect off a dark surface, the flash of an explosion or gun being shot may illuminate a face or the use of a different colour will stand out a mile. This is really when you can see a step up from previous standard def versions. We are not talking a huge step up in all honesty but there is a difference. Detail levels are good overall whilst the image is clean and free from any problems.
Sonics:
The numerous action scenes require some serious grunt and we just about get there - the Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack does enough. Action is spread well across all six speakers including the rears which throw out a good selection of gunshots and explosions. LFE is low allowing the sub to get a workout while dialogue is clear and audible. I have to admit to being a little underwhelmed however. Whilst the track does the job and will still contribute to you showing off the various action sequences to friends, I didn't feel that this version really improved over previous Dolby Digital/DTS version. Still good but it could have been a barnstormer.
Extras:
This Japanese HD-DVD includes quite a few extra features. Included we have two audio commentaries, the 'Finding Equilibrium' featurette (English language with forced Japanese subtitles), a selection of trailers and TV spots, a gun biography (Japanese text), a Gun Kata featurette (English language with forced Japanese subtitles), cast and crew biographies (Japanese text) and a cool poster art gallery.
Well?
This Japanese HD-DVD is an improvement over any previous release I have seen to date in terms of picture quality and is at least on a par in terms of the soundtrack. Equilibrium is a film I have always had in my collection simply because of the action scenes and in fairness, this is the best they have ever looked. Is it worth the upgrade? That is the eternal question for the collector......for fans of the film I would have to say yes - just.
Tom Day
After a Third World War killed a huge proportion of the world's population, mankind knew they could not survive a fourth. In a bid to stop any future wars and maintain peace, emotion was made illegal. A new arm of the law was created to make this happen: The Grammaton Cleric. Feelings were outlawed, possessions banned - anyone found committing any 'crimes of feeling' are incinerated. A drug known as Prozium is taken by everyone to eliminate feeling, it allows everyone to lead identical lives, eliminating rage, grief, and jealousy, and ultimately conflict. These laws are enforced with no leniency, but when top enforcer (Christian Bale) misses a dose of Prozium and starts to [i]feel[/i], all hell breaks loose as he begins to ask himself if he's fighting for the right side.
Back when Equilibrium was originally released the film made quite a name for itself across the internet. Fans on net forums around the world were been raving about the fight scenes and a quotes on the US DVD box even demanded you "forget The Matrix!".
Yes the action scenes are impressive - actually they are more than impressive, most of them are jaw to the floor, downright amazing. But the story is desperately flawed. We are asked by the director to ignore the major flaw in the film; the fact that feeling is illegal, but how does anyone function at all? How is it that a cleric manages to smile and even laugh, get angry to the point of shouting and one cleric is asked if he was close to his ex-partner - surely this would not have been possible? I know I'm being picky, but this fact kept eating away at me throughout the entire film. Director/writer Kurt Wimmer does say in the commentary that we are talking about extreme emotions, the major ups and downs, but still the entire film is basically based on a premise that doesn't work. Annoying plot holes aside, I have to get back to the film's saving grace, the action. The gunplay from Bale is breathtaking to say the least, a strange hybrid of guns and martial arts called gun-kata, I was blown away with what I saw on screen. The fight scenes featured in this film are some of the most amazing I have ever seen and saved the film from the low-budget sci-fi wilderness. Equilibrium isn't a great film, it's obviously flawed, some of the acting is wooden from a group of actors who were mostly poorly cast and a lot of the costumes look like they were taken out of Flash Gordon. Good moments sure, but it fails in too many areas to come anywhere near close to making you "forget The Matrix".
Optics:
Because of the grey/black colour palette Equilibrium was never going to be a film that blew you away on DVD whether talking stanard or high defintiion. Black levels are impressive with some very strong moments in the darkest scenes but its the flashes of light and colour amongst greyness that impress here. Throughout the film there are moments where the gloom is lit up - this is where image really comes to life. Natural light might reflect off a dark surface, the flash of an explosion or gun being shot may illuminate a face or the use of a different colour will stand out a mile. This is really when you can see a step up from previous standard def versions. We are not talking a huge step up in all honesty but there is a difference. Detail levels are good overall whilst the image is clean and free from any problems.
Sonics:
The numerous action scenes require some serious grunt and we just about get there - the Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack does enough. Action is spread well across all six speakers including the rears which throw out a good selection of gunshots and explosions. LFE is low allowing the sub to get a workout while dialogue is clear and audible. I have to admit to being a little underwhelmed however. Whilst the track does the job and will still contribute to you showing off the various action sequences to friends, I didn't feel that this version really improved over previous Dolby Digital/DTS version. Still good but it could have been a barnstormer.
Extras:
This Japanese HD-DVD includes quite a few extra features. Included we have two audio commentaries, the 'Finding Equilibrium' featurette (English language with forced Japanese subtitles), a selection of trailers and TV spots, a gun biography (Japanese text), a Gun Kata featurette (English language with forced Japanese subtitles), cast and crew biographies (Japanese text) and a cool poster art gallery.
Well?
This Japanese HD-DVD is an improvement over any previous release I have seen to date in terms of picture quality and is at least on a par in terms of the soundtrack. Equilibrium is a film I have always had in my collection simply because of the action scenes and in fairness, this is the best they have ever looked. Is it worth the upgrade? That is the eternal question for the collector......for fans of the film I would have to say yes - just.
Tom Day
Director:
Kurt Wimmer
Starring:
Christian Bale
Taye Diggs
Emily Watson
Angus MacFadyen
William Fichtner
Best line:
"I'm coming"
Tagline:
"In a future where freedom is outlawed outlaws will become heroes."
Description:
Toshisba
Japan
1Hr 47 Mins
2.35:1
(Anamorphic)
Dolby Digital Plus 5.1
MPEG4
'Finding Equlibrium' featurette
Trailers and TV spots
gun biography
Gun Kata featurette
Cast and crew bios
Poster art gallery
Ratings: (Out of 5)
Film 6.0
Optics 7.0
Sonics 8.0
Extras 5.0
Overall 7.5
