- In Matrix, bystanders get killed all over the place without anyone batting an eyelash. In Equilibrium, pretty much all deaths (and there are a lot of them) have either personal significance for the main character (John Preston, can take down anyone, just about) or are required by the story. I guess the bystanders' deaths are also required for the story, but they never really seemed to matter to anyone--characters, directors/writers, or audience members.
- Neo was a nobody to start with, whereas Preston was a top member of the elite. So when he does the equivalent of "taking the red pill", he's turning his back on the system he's fought and killed (a lot) to perpetuate, which I find a lot more interesting and moving than a nobody becoming a somebody (a "chosen one", no less).
- Neo was approached by Morpheus, was trained and led and had teammates. Preston had a couple of arguments with a prisoner, and a partner who was using him to advance his own career. Also, he's a father (and a good one to, given the circumstances), which gets him automatic points from me.
- I like the look of Equilibrium better--some of the camera work is absolutely gorgeous.
- The end sequence. The last ten minutes or so are just one long fuck yeah, and I use that term judiciously. None of this wimping out on the part of the protagonist, no lessening of bad-assery by making it seem like the protagonist is maybe possibly going to lose. Just full on, non-stop awesomeness. First time watching it with my dad, we replayed the end at least four times. Immediately, without hesitation.
*
Watched the first season of NCIS last week (6 episodes in one afternoon; this is one reason I haven't managed to finish writing things). So much fun! I love the way all the characters sort of just bounce off each other, although every now and then I want to slap someone; Kate and Tony can get a little mean sometimes, especially Kate. Also, it's cool to see the military being treated as, well, military, as opposed to whatever it was SGA was doing at the end (yes, I still haven't quite gotten that out of my system yet; apologies for griping). Am looking forward to watching the rest of it. Yay for Netflix!
I'd say more, but I'm trying to stop staying up so late and it's time to go to bed.