Equilibrium (2002)

Extraordinarily derivative -- it's essentially Fahrenheit 451 with Matrix-style action scenes grafted onto the plot -- but works anyway, possibly because the scenario is inherently interesting. The energetic direction helps immensely; reviews had led me to expect a sluggish dystopian stew, but this film is fairly lively. The action scenes, too, keep the attention from atrophying when the pace flags. True, they are *cough* inspired by The Matrix, but they manage to do it better than any of the other rip-offs out there so that's something. It's nice to see director Kurt Wimmer wrestling with ideas. Maybe next time, he'll get some of his own, but you can't have everything on your first time out.

Grade: B-