Equilibrium

It plays better than it reviews — the watch lands harder than the write-ups suggest.

• “Would be a mindless action picture, except that it has a mind. It doesn't do a lot of deep thinking, but unlike many futuristic combos of sf and f/x, it does make a statement:”

  Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times · 75

• “A terrific cast, stylish direction, and elegantly choreographed mayhem help make it far better than it might have been -- Though ultimately silly, Equilibrium's shopworn but stylish synthesis of ammo and ideas is surprisingly engrossing.”

  Nathan Rabin, The A.V. Club · 70

• “The fun here is not so much in the solid if stolid performances from Bale and co-stars Taye Diggs and Emily Watson (gussied up to resemble the Jefferson Airplane–era Grace Slick) or in Wimmer's overpolished plot devices as it is in the production values.”

  Ron Stringer, L.A. Weekly · 70

• “The martial-arts sequences take this prosaic thriller to a higher level.”

  Claudia Puig, USA Today · 63

• “Equilibrium improves as it rolls along -- either that or, ironically, it wears down the senses until the viewer succumbs.”

  Gregory Weinkauf, Dallas Observer · 60