Equilibrium vs. Matrix Reloaded possible SPOILERS
 

I don't know how many other people have seen "Equilibrium," but it only spent a few weeks in theatres and lost tons of money. It is a futuristic action movie with a bit of philosophy mixed in. Since this is what I consider a basic explanation of the "Matrix" series, I feel comparisons are inevitable. In fact, the back of the box makes the comparison. I was pretty doubtful and even made fun of my brother for renting it, then we watched it. WOW! I highly recommend this movie for any action fans, especially fans of the "Matrix" series. I actually think that "Equilibrium" is a better film than "Reloaded." The action is superior (with the exception of the freeway scene), because I feel that they relied too heavily on CGI in "Reloaded." I am not some purist who hates CGI work, I just think it looked very fake, specifically Neo's fight scenes with Smith. "Equilibrium's" fight scenes may not have been as enormously impressive as "Reloaded's," but it was all real. Furthermore, the concepts behind "Equilibrium" were very clever and fresh, much like the first "Matrix" film. The idea of the handgun katas was especially brilliant I thought. The story for "Reloaded" was very convoluted and basicly undid the first film. Also, at the end of the film, almost nothing has changed as far as the fate of Zion and the sentinels. Neo using his powers outside of the matrix also seems to be a bad idea. The beauty of the first film was that there was a perfect explanation for the seemingly superhuman abilities of the stars (unlike say, "Charlie's Angels"). Trinity, Morpheus, and Neo could do the things they did because the matrix isn't the real world. If Neo can do amzing things outside the matrix, then the suspension of disbelief is that much harder. Anyway, I have to wrap this up and go to work so I'll just say that "Equilibrium" is a better film than "The Matrix Reloaded" and I highly recommend people see it.
Any feedback is appreciated (Not angry hatemail from "Matrix" fans, don't waste my time and yours.) Thanks

Equiliribirum was a great movie, but it's not very much like The Matrix at all, IMO. They have the action / philosophy thing, but they're still almost nothing alike.

You seem to also be forgetting, in your comments about Reloaded, that it's only part 2 of 3 movies. There's one more movie to go, and it will explain almost everything, I'm sure. Something tells me Neo isn't using his powers outside of the Matrix. :-P

There are already several threads on Eq :) do a search, great movie :)

POSSIBLE SPOILER

I may not be saying anything new here, but according to some old versions of Revolution scripts, Neo isnt using his powers outside the matrix, they are inside yet another matrix when they believe they are in the "real world." This woud also explain Agent Smith's ability to infect and control a "real world" person , who he uses to attempt to assasinate Neo in Zion, which had me more puzzled then Neo's use of powers at the end of Reloaded.
Anywho, this is definitely not a sure thing, but like I said, it does fill in alot of holes.

By the way, I just looked this flic up, and I dont believe that is was ever released at the theatres around here, or I definitely would have rushed out to see it. Bale has been one of my favorite actors since American Psycho, and i am puting this one on my must rent list.

Other than the sunglasses and action sequences, Equilibrium and Matrix are quite different plot-wise. The Thirteenth Floor and the Matrix are much more similar than these two movies.

They are obviously comparable because of the fight sequences and because of the similarity in themes. The Matrix was mind-blowing, as is usually the case when someone actually has the balls to express a fresh idea or take on things in film.

Equilibrium was also a great film. The fight scenes are even better than in the Matrix, as they just appear to be more "real". The only difference is that you know what's happening the whole time, while the Matrix leaves you in the dark for most of the time.

As for "Reloaded", what a complete dissapointment. Fight scene after meaningless fight scene. The movie cannot hold a candle on it's own, without the other films. All successfull trilogies have been built from three independent, self-contained stories that don't have to be part of a trilogy to be great. Reloaded was a convoluted mess.

You have to admit however, that most trilogies are not filmed together in one fell swoop, and released within 6 months of each other. While I really had no problem with Reloaded, I did feel they leaned a little too much on the fact that they knew the remainder of the story was only 6 months away.