Equals (2015)

Sadly Over-hyped

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

This is the latest in "Brave New World" inspired films. The scene is post "Great War" when 98% of the planet became uninhabitable. The world was divided into two. There was "The Peninsula" which we saw only in pictures. It was a world of regular people eking by. Our Brave New World society has developed without emotions and they are concerned with spending resources on space exploration rather than maybe help folks on the peninsula. A disease called Switched on Syndrome (SOS) happens when genes suddenly allow emotions. At this point you could write the script and perhaps do a better job.Kristen Stewart got selected to play a person that hides emotion in order to avoid the option of a "pain free death scenario." This was a boring film from start to finish. The characters had no character by design...and when they got SOS they strive not to show any character.Guide: No swearing or nudity. One "coupling" scene.

This science fiction classic mirrors 1984 in a future society where relationships are illegal. In both stories the reason why emotions are shunned is only vaguely explained, but, in both cases, one presumes this is because it is the only way resources can be effectively mobilized to ensure society survives. In both cases civilization has come back from the brink of disaster in a very different form. In 1984 people were inspired to work by patriotic newscasts of a gigantic war. In Equals people are inspired by the need of society to seek resources from outer space.Considerable thought has gone into this gem. The dialogue is sparing but brimming with heart. The leads are beautiful even in their pared back uniforms. There is just enough variety in the uniforms to imply a high degree of psychology. Touches such as amazing looking meals, the allowance of artistic impressions and puzzles for mass media, apparently lax computer access and brilliantly conceived, and beautiful, architecture and interior design, all lend probability and sincerity to the world and the story that emerges from it. Suicide exists and is accepted. Punishment and enforcement are vague. There is only token caution rather than stigma attached to major illness. This is rote kindness and visual perfection as horror.I've already given too much away. This is must-see viewing for science fiction fans.

I am afraid this sci fi flic doesn't make it. It is long, tedious, and just not interesting enough. That is not the fault of the actors. The two leads, Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart (one of my favourite actresses) are excellent. But they have a leaky vehicle, with an inept captain in the shape of director Drake Doremus. Also,the script is mediocre. Living in a bleak future where emotions and physical touching are banned, these two forbidden lovers live a furtive existence in their dystopian and antiseptic world, threatened on all sides by sneaks, monitors, and surveillance. The film could have been much shorter, had some pace instead of drifting along like a canoe on a calm river, and could have done with more incidents in the story. Better luck next time.

unless the movie is exceptional, and this movie is exceptional. Yes, the first part of the film is a bit of a slow motion ho-hum, but once the stage is set, this movie begins to tear your heart out to the point you are screaming RUN. I am still shaking and emotionally drained, but it reminded me of what life is all about.I'm not a good critic as to the acting, music score, production and all that, just how I felt during and after the movie and this one turned me inside out and made me so thankful that I found my true love, and I'm male. This is a real gem!