Filmmaker reacts to Equilibrium (2002) for the FIRST TIME!

Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to Equilibrium. :D
Full length reactions & Patreon only polls: / jamesvscinema
Original Movie: Equilibrium (2002)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@JamesVSCinema]

When fighting the feeling becomes a little too literal. Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have an awesome day!

[@JoeSnow84]

Great movie

[@Tommysimonsen]

This movie make a great argument for Jedis being the bad guys in starwars. They also banned love to end hate. And imposes it on the rest of the universe.

[@paulcurran4786]

Dark City, if u haven't already....

[@arq6384]

I’m already a dollar patron, so I only see the movie polls, are there any show polls in the upper tiers? Or are BB and Cyberpunk just special cases for shows?

[@damiandorhoff719]

check out the Species Franchise

[@soraya2218]

One of my favorite Christian Bale performances and I will never forget the scene when he really hears music for the first time. After watching this movie I am always grateful and like it's such a privilege to be able to feel things unfiltered, both the highest joy and deepest pain.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Loved reading this..happy to hear!

[@piotrswat169]

@@JamesVSCinema this movie was always deep in my heart.2 movies come close to this for different reasons.Reign of fire with Bale and 3 Kings with Clooney.

[@marklittrell3202]

My favorite is seeing color and the rain as a way of showing he was feeling.

[@danballe]

Agreed. on soooo many levels

[@Grnademaster]

Best enjoy that feeling while you still can.

[@danballe]

"it's as vital as breath. And without it, without love, without anger, without sorrow, breath is just a clock... ticking" Emily Watson is always a win.

[@shainewhite2781]

One of the most underrated Sci Fi Action movies ever made

[@JamesVSCinema]

Which is wild because look at the cast haha

[@nathanielmorgan9108]

@@JamesVSCinema I think it's because everyone just thought it was a Matrix rip-off, which it was marketed as, so that's probably the reason, but when it's taken on its own it is a brilliant film, and I think it deserves critical re-analysis.

[@mokane86]

​@@nathanielmorgan9108 yeah. it was also picked up by Dimension Films, who have some good movies and cult classics under their belt, but arent nearly as big as many for box office hits and giant marketing campaigns.

[@iconocast]

came out right after matrix didnt help it sadly

[@stevanstankovic7082]

Damn right

[@jimtatro6550]

This is one of those forgotten Sci Fi gems like Dark City that deserve a much larger audience.

[@mikenewell7384]

Yeah, 2 of my favourites. Saw them in near empty cinemas and couldn't believe the negative reviews they got at the time.

[@shatteredabby964]

I love Dark City so very much. Definatly underrated.

[@CxOrillion]

I don't think this is a good movie, but it *is* great. I love it even if it's kinda goofy.

[@rog2224]

It was seriously short changed by critics. Anything with long coats was dismissed as a The Matrix clone.

[@ClickToPreview]

Yup. Equilibrium, Dark City, and may I suggest The Thirteenth Floor to round it out a bit? And anybody wanting to give these movies TWO MINUTES HATE (ala 1984) can go pound sand!

[@garetjax19]

This was seriously the best mash up of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. Seems to me, it highlights the responsibilities of being a self-autonomous moral agent, in any form of Authoritarian based Society. It's because of stories and ideas like these that I am free to state that I am Still Loving, Still Living, Still Life. Peace All

[@nem447]

matrix...

[@massacrestarts1673]

I searched for this comment to see if anyone else was able to draw the same parallels.

[@Valp85]

I was a teenager that had just finished reading Brave New World and 1984 when this movie came out, to say that I was primed and ready was an understatement

[@garetjax19]

@@nem447 Matrix was 3 yrs old at this point and a lot had changed in the World. I see The Matrix as more of a Science Fantasy/Allegory, whereas Equilibrium seems more like 'realistic' Science Fiction/Fact. Its tech and Societal structures could/do exist today. Thanx and Be Well. Peace All

[@garetjax19]

@@massacrestarts1673 Where ever you are in the World. Thanx and Be Well. Peace All

[@mycroft16]

This one is DEEPLY underrated. And it gets made fun of for the whole gun-kata thing unfairly. It's unique and makes for some cool sequences. The whole underlying thing of feeling is amazingly well handled. Bale is just perfect for it. I've always looked at it as a film about a society that has no emotion, so the camera has all the emotion. Framing such beautiful shots, moving in beautiful emotional ways through scenes. It's extremely unique.

[@plague_seeker9354]

Gun-Kata is unironically my favorite fictional martial art

[@jp3813]

Gun Kata made way for fighting game characters like Bayonetta & Noel Vermillion.

[@SaguaroBlossom]

When he listens to the music, not only is it a very moving song, but can you imagine your first time ever hearing music? That's basically what it is.

[@Undoubtedness]

This movie made an impact on me when I watched it as a younger lad. It was an awesome sci-fi with a pretty cool message, and the son being cool in the end really left a hopeful impression.

[@Rees2005]

One of my favorites and clearly it's an underrated film. I love how the color scheme changes as Christian Bale's character feels more and more we see more and more color. And the GunFu is frackin' awesome. ☺💚

[@Artaimus]

The Gun Kata was created by Kurt Wimmer and Jim Vickers. Wimmer wanted a more flowing style of combat but in the end this movie's style was choreographed by a Karate expert, resulting in the blockier movements that are seen. In the movie Ultraviolet(2006) Wimmer was able to have more control of the choreography and thus it ended up much more fluid. If you haven't had a chance to see it, I strongly suggest watching Ultraviolet during this action oriented season you're doing.

[@Xenotric]

one of those films you can watch again and again simply because the action is just so stylish and fun even if the story isnt quite as deep as it could have been for the subject matter. If still after action stuff, Paul Bettany has some great ones, Priest always gave me similar feels to this one with its colouring and undertones, Legion is spooky but well worth a watch and Knights Tale is just medieval knight rock star film

[@Panjax]

The fact you loved this so much I feel like Reign of Fire should be next. It's another Christian Bale early 2000s action movies that's actually underrated imo. Has some seriously cool stuff in it. Also one of the most metal deaths I've ever seen.

[@eiven6197]

Not everyone knows this movie and it has always been my favorite movie with Christian Bale. It makes you think about how “just to feel something” makes a different. The movie “The Giver” reminded me of “Equilibrium” just the theme about not feeling anything. Loved your reaction as always and again your voice is really smooth and so chill could listen to it for hours 😂😊

[@joelgermany1236]

This is one of my favorite renditions of Brave New World.

[@427noob]

Equilibrium is one of my all time favorites for just the action alone

[@IamMiaga]

There's an amazing quote by B.L. Mulligan: "People are fractal images of the universe... ...in the same way that your heart feels and your mind thinks, you are the instrument by which the universe cares. If you choose to care, then the universe cares."

[@LordToddtastic666]

Yeah, man, I absolutely love this film. It's so stylish. The story is reminiscent of Brave New World type storytelling to me. And one of my favorite Bale films. Such a gem of a movie.

[@Shady_Lurker]

Don't know if you can say this movie is underrated because just about everyone loves it. Might not have the notoriety it deserves though. I can't count how many times I have watched it or the amount of people I have shown it to. Great review!

[@MrCageCat]

I saw this late one Saturday night in the cinema, after the film had already been out for a while. Was basically just like, 10 people in the theatre then. Was still a great watch and remains a favourite of mine till this day.

[@QuayNemSorr]

Christian Bale's performance is so great. He conveys so much without any lines.

[@Animeabe]

That is crazy. I was looking at some other movie reviewers and wishing they would do this movie. It's great you are doing it.

[@Neckromorph]

I first saw this movie in my freshman year of high school in 2005. My English teacher was having us read through Fahrenheit 451, and after we were done he showed us this movie because of how similar it was to the book. Thank you so much Mr. Mead for introducing me to this underrated classic.

[@Atlas_Redux]

Absolutely love Equilibrium. Seen it countless times.

[@Smokie_666]

"break dancing with 2 pistols" has me dying! A friend of mine put this movie is DVD player when we were just hanging out and I was sold 5 minutes in. The action is great, the lighting grabbed your attention to every scene and it asks the right questions in such a relatable way. I think this is one of Bale's best films along with the Mechanic. Also, really enjoy your insight on this and all the films and shows that you've shared with us. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Looking forward to more reactions.

[@nightshade7240]

This movie is one of my favourite films in the action genre. The sound design for this movie is so great as well. Another low key amazing action movie is Soldier with Kurt Russell. Also that end fight without the cuts wouldn't look stupid if it is based on what it appears to be based on. It's basically tuishou or pushing hands, that is practised in certain forms of kung fu, the only difference is they added guns. There are arts that also do this with knives and other weapons and it looks pretty amazing to watch people who are trained in it do it.

[@missm.e9914]

I love this film, I've heard people call it cheesy but I think its actually manages to be very moving in how its displays the different things that make us feel.

[@OperativeD]

One of my favorite details of this movie is that the cars don't have speedometers or gauges. Great attention to detail with the idea of anything that could potentially illicit a feeling has been removed.

[@andromidius]

I don't know why this film is so overlooked - it really pushed the bar for the action film genre as well as dystopian sci-fi.

[@andromidius]

Also, John Wick is another great movie with a 'similar style' of gun-fu over the top action.

[@tylerorland4784]

My sophomore year English teacher made us watch this while we were reading Fahrenheit 451. A memory I will never forget

[@Sammael6662]

YYYEEEESSSSSSSS! I've been waiting for this movie to hit the reacter circuit! SO GLAD you're the first!

[@grandfathergeek]

A movie that should have been at the top of ANY list regarding action drama films. It amazes me it’s not known by more people.

[@SpectrumAnalysis]

The poetry, pun intended, of this movie is beautiful. Bale's final line to the leader of this cult in response to "is it worth the price?" is "I pay it gladly," which is Sean Bean's last line before he makes Bale shoot him through a poetry book. The only one to notice that Bale switched the pistols were the feelers in the background cos they could feel suspicion. The delicious irony that without feeling and self preservation, these cultists fail. It's also obvious that Mr half-face has been feeling for a while; he's very smug for a guy without the capability to feel it. Also "Rainbow kicked a rifle into his possession" is an amazing phrase and I have no idea why.

[@OriginalPuro]

Iconic movie. It is sad that it went under the radar for many, at least in my area and the ones I know this movie was mostly overlooked or it wasn't known at the time.

[@rochellehershberger9539]

Christian Bale is such a versatile actor. The second I saw him in Newsies I was a fan for life. I truly believe that this movie came out in the wake of the first Matrix and didn't get the accolades it deserved.

[@paulmurray2925]

Sticking with pure action from start to finish, Mad Max Fury Road is a must. No deep storyline, just constant pure adrenaline. Since two Mad Max movie reactions were done in the past this is a must see for the evolution of Mad Max and a new bar being set for high speed vehicle chase movies. Hope to see it one day here.

[@ravenlockhart0925]

I recently found out that Christian Bale was one of the voice actors in Disney's Pocahontas from 1995. The action in this movie is something else. That "rainbow kick" of the assault rifle gets me every time. Its so good

[@CChissel]

One of my all time favorite movies, it’s fucking phenomenal, I don’t care how cheesy it is, it’s so bad ass and just generally awesome

[@beqi4254]

I cannot believe you posted this today. I was just looking for reactions to it last night and only found a few! Definitely and underrated movie. If you haven't seen it, and want more Christian Bale content, The Machinist is a good one.

[@SlCKNESS_]

Equilibrium is one of the best movies ever made. Also, like some other comments mentioned - The Expanse is incredible. It's a must-watch for every sci-fi fan.

[@reheatedpizza7292]

this is my all time favorite movie. i try not to watch it more than once a year though to keep my memory of it only somewhat fresh. i love re-experiencing this movie every time

[@blytheguy7510]

The first time I saw this movie I had rented it a day before, spent a long night with a couple of friends tripping our asses off. That morning me and one friend decided to chill at my place to smoke one and and I had Equilibrium to watch. We only knew it was an action scifi movie. To say the least we were very in tune with the themes going on in this film. Lol. We were blown away in those moments. Crazy to think that was 20 years ago now. It was a good movie memory with an old friend. That was before I moved away from my hometown and my friend went into the military and later committed suicide. This movie will always have memories for me. I'm glad it's good memories.

[@Grnademaster]

"Step away from the godd@mn dog." Lol. That sums up the movie pretty good too.

[@Khomuna]

Equilibrium is a truly underrated movie. Yeah, it has some classic cinema sins, faceless goons, protagonist with plot armor, but it makes up by having a deep theme and just pure coolness.

[@ihuliige6776]

In Ebert & Roeper review, they both gave this film thumbs up. Ebert specifically noted that the actors elevate the material.

[@NintendoCapriSun]

This film is so freakin' cool, I don't even know what else can be said.

[@blackjack3935]

dude, went to see this flick in the theater (AMC) when it came out 2002, just stayed there for 3 showings 🤩🤩🤩🧨🧨🧨❤❤❤

[@lorgrenbenirus]

I love this movie, very well done. I stumbled across it accidentally, but loved it from the first time.

[@ianjardine7324]

The visual style of this film is incredible. The cleric's guns have no muzzle devices but somehow make a four direction flare showing the cross symbol of the regime defying buth physics and logic but I don't care it looks so cool.

[@bkenwood88]

This was my go-to recommendation when customers at Blockbuster asked me for an action movie that wasn't new/a well known classic. No idea how this one slipped by so many people!

[@DarthTach]

Fun Batman Trivia: So obviously Christian Bale goes on to become Batman in the Christopher Nolan trilogy. But "Father" was played by Sean Pertwee (son of Jon Pertwee the 3rd Doctor Who) who plays Alfred in Gotham who helps train a young Bruce Wayne.

[@gtay6726]

Lmao Finally!!!! Excited for this one, dude!! Pretty sure it was almost 2 years ago I told you to watch this.

[@JamesVSCinema]

You held on hahaha

[@gtay6726]

@@JamesVSCinema I haven't watched this for years actually, so I'll probably do the full length.

[@vycanismajorisprime]

I remember doing gun katas while playing laser tag in Pearl City Highlands back when this came out. (If you held the gun upside down you could place your pinky on the sensor so that you could hold the gun in one hand)

[@punkem733]

One of the most under rated movies all time. NO ONE talks about it.

[@TomBagwell]

Equilibrium is great. When I saw it originally, my first thought was, "Hey, I think Bale would be great as Batman!"

[@gluuuuue]

Bale's been one o' those few who made the leap from talented child actor to talented leading man. Should really check out pretty much his breakout role-rich British boy in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and he's put into a prison camp-in Empire of the Sun (1987). It's an '80s pow drama, got Bale, John Malkovich, Joe Pantoliano, and was directed by Spielberg.

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

I was so excited to see you were going to watch and review this film, I clicked right away! I've seen this film many times, but haven't seen it in years - so it was so nice to see it through fresh eyes. Might have to join your patreon just so I can see the full length reaction. I believe I read an article once where Christian said he hadn't been in a movie in a while and was worried his career was over and this opportunity came up. I really feel like he put his heart and soul into this film. Also, I *think the film was directed by a former stunt guy (I could be wrong), but that's why the action sequences are so dope. Finally, I think the under-handed sword style fighting that Christian's character does is really cool. ❤

[@justinpeck6015]

This is such a cool movie. Remember watching it a lot at the homies back in the day. He had the dvd lol

[@seancain2216]

Fahrenheit 451 meets Gun-Fu. This movie was ahead of its time.

[@scottlette]

Bale was also in Reign of Fire. A very weird British dragon slaying film that also stars Matthew Mcconaughey.

[@Si_Vert]

I really enjoyed this film when I was young. It was Fahrenheit 451 mixed with the Matrix. Guns, Lots of Guns, and books on fire.

[@peteturner3928]

A great and often sadly overlooked film that echoes some of the dystopian classics such as '1984' or 'Metropolis' and even has hints of Charlie Chaplin's seminal 'The Great Dictator' in some of its sentiment.

[@ScottyDnB]

The gunplay is super unique and fun to watch.

[@-EchoesIntoEternity-]

superb cast, criminally underrated

[@seangelion]

This came out the same year as Matrix. It got lost to time. Love this film, and Kurt Wimmer as writer/director. He did Ultraviolet with Milla Jovovich. Watch Ultraviolet to see the same gun-fu and dystopian atmosphere as Equilibrium.

[@obesoivan]

I had the same reaction when he picked up the vinyl. It's a wrap 🤣

[@davidgermain]

the incinerator scece has stayed with me for years. and now after 'the science' has given us 2year of hell and generational debt. this has a lot of new meaning

[@mantistoboggan5960]

Great reaction! I love this movie. I literally have Fallout 4 minimized in my background right now... that reference creeped me out hahaha.

[@xConundrumx]

One of my favorite movies, can't say what exactly makes it so. But damn it is good. I mean hell even the muzzle flares of their guns make the distinctive sign of the tetragramatons.. what a sick idea!

[@HotDogTimeMachine385]

This is the first movie to actually focus on the concept of gun-fu and create and popularize the term Gun-kata.

[@unclelink]

Another underrated Bale film (with Butler) is Reign Of Fire!

[@patrickmassonne1919]

Hard Boiled, Hard Boiled, Hard Boiled!

[@c-puff]

I forgot how slick this film is.

[@imetzl9340]

The move that introduced "GunFu" and is responsible for The Matric and John Wick

[@theoriginalspur]

What you know about them Grammaton Clerics. One of my all time favorites. This movie could easily be slow and boring but the pace and acting along with the action is second to none. I had this movie on base prior to going to Iraq and it circulated the base like wildfire.

[@seasickviking]

The connection between modern dystopia & emotional connection is definitely a reference to Farenheit 451, as are the heavily toned down colors.

[@kedjr88]

Yea it's crazy when you realize all the films Christian Bale has been in I still remember being surprised that he was voiceovering in Howl's Moving Castle

[@kosh6612]

Totally underrated film. The Matrix meets 1984 meet V For Vendetta, meets Fahrenheit 451 meets THX 1138 meets Gattaca.... not a bad lot of comparisons/influences. I think this film got overlooked because it got dismissed in the post Matrix hype. There is a lot of depth to the world and politics of this film, and the fight sequences make sense in this universe. Again, his trained moves I think get too easily dismissed as trying to just copy The Matrix, a deeply unfortunate comparison. I love the opening scene ho9w the muzzle flashes act as a strobe to his changing positions.. it looks quite eerie. Also add another mark to Sean Beans death count lol

[@jndaley]

Christian Bale kick? Check out his first film ever! Empire of the sun. He was just a child, and it has John Malkovich! Really an awesome film if you haven’t seen it!

[@k33ism]

A surprising sleeper, I watched it multiple times!

[@liamjoyce7774]

You gotta do Hard Boiled. Action masterpiece.

[@dive2drive314]

SUCH an underrated film in my opinion. At least, i never saw any ads for it or knew about it till a friend told me. Glad you checked this out! Funny, CriticalDrinker was just talking about this the other day. Lol

[@kaylakurosaki4873]

One of my favorite movies

[@OrderOfTheGash]

I really feel like this could've been a kick-ass Devil May Cry type film

[@AlexanderForsman]

Drive angry is another great action movie

[@Kdeem.224]

He had that Gunjitsu ready for anybody who wanted the smoke

[@josephdarklight]

this is the film that myself and a good few others feel earned him his role as bruce wayne/batman in the nolan trilogy big time plus i have lost count of the amount of times i have watched this one excellent reaction on a top film

[@JnEricsonx]

Well, Wimmer bet Bale 500 bucks that he'd be Batman some day. And this was 5 years before that.

[@inmate1614]

I am so glad someone with your credibility finally reacted to this film, which has been a personal favourite for 20 years now! If you want the best of Bale's character performances then I'd go for his work from 2000 to 2005. American Psycho, Equilibrium, The Machinist, Harsh Times and Batman Begins. All very different, all portrayed expertly.

[@phatpolofish]

I think Reign of Fire also came out around that time too, definitely worth a watch.

[@inmate1614]

@@phatpolofish Yes it did but that's a more straight forward performance though definitely a good watch

[@Tony-rz4ks]

i remember watching this movie when it came out

[@Mortismors]

People talk about how they don't like Taye Diggs showing emotion but I think it's intentional. It shows that he's also feeling.

[@thelmctodaythelmctoday4037]

Ive been dying for you to catch this one

[@sidoo241]

awesome reaction, christian bale is one of my favorite actors, he is amazing as always

[@Gregor_Von_DOOM]

The only way to make this movie more anime is if at the end his white suit was fully red after all that murder lol.

[@OYME13]

Film is absolute fire. Haven't seen it in awhile, forgot how epic it was. Some of the best cinematography I've seen. The story idea was really interesting. And yet another movie in which Sean Bean dies. Don't wanna buck the tradition.

[@justinpeck6015]

I just remembered that "Assassins" and "Tango & Cash" are good action movies. Both star Sylvester Stallone. But i actually haven't watched either in about 10 years lol.

[@nicotti]

If you want another excellent underrated Christian Bale film check out "The Machinist" (2004)!

[@CLFmoto87]

My HS English teacher had us watch this in class for its themes and film techniques. It was great. A Christian HS at that! LOL

[@chrisjohns4461]

Bro, i know you focus on film, but if/ when you branch out to tv, you need to start with The Expanse! Some of the best character development, set design, costume design, acting in a sci-fi series EVER! I recommend it all the way to the roof!

[@jamesandthefatcat9464]

ty for this vid.Great reaction.Good movie.

[@Obscur888]

Suggestions: Predestinations, The Anomaly, Dark City, Monkey Bone