Released shortly after the ground-breaking film The Matrix, many people immediately dismissed Equilibrium as a ripoff. Since then, however, it has earned renewed interest among science fiction fans, becoming something of a cult classic. It's the story of a futuristic society in which all emotions are carefully regulated through the use of Prozium. To stop taking your emotion suppressants is a criminal act, punishable by death. Christian Bale plays an elite police officer who is tasked with eradicating these "sense offenders", until one day he accidentally breaks the vial containing his daily medication, and begins to experience normal emotions. None of the ideas in the film are exactly revolutionary -- they're all well-used tropes of the genre that have been around for decades. But where Equilibrium really succeeds is in using these concepts to create an incredibly detailed, realistic universe in which the characters live. They've even invented a unique form of martial arts called gun kata, which uses geometry to create positions that are statistically likely to evade fire and hit targets. It's a mechanical, emotionless fighting style, which is a stroke of brilliance that fits perfectly with the rest of the film.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
