Saturday, November 8, 2003

MOVIE - THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS - Review Rating $$$$$ $ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - Keanu Reeves (Neo), Laurence Fishburne (Morpheus), Jada Pinkett Smith (Niobe), Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity), Helmut Bakaitis (The Architect), Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith), Mary Alice (The Oracle) & Monica Bellucci (Persephone). DIRECTORS - Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski (Bound, The Matrix & The Matrix Reloaded) When I reviewed The Matrix Reloaded I hypothesized that the diminished impact of the second installment had a lot to do with the fact that times had changed. The essence of my argument was that the sequel no longer reflected "the prevailing socio-historical forces" that were a significant contributing factor to the success of the original film. In hindsight, after watching The Matrix Revolutions, I think the explanation for this phenomena is much simpler. What struck me the most watching The Matrix Revolutions was not that the audience was no longer blown away, by the premise of being a virtual cog in a massive machine, but that the characters themselves no longer were either. There is, contrary to the original film, a remarkable lack of questioning about the significance of the mind boggling circumstances the characters find themselves in. The mistake made in the second and third installments of this trilogy, in my opinion, is taking the premise for granted. That mistake may have been intentional. It appears that the Wachowski brothers were intent on transforming Neo into a modern day "Savior". What was once implied is no longer subject to debate. The numerous analogies between Neo and Christ, Mr. Smith and the Devil, and the Architect and God, are too obvious to warrant further discussion. While the merits of pursuing this singular focus may be debatable the nature of the message is not. Using science fiction, to promote religiosity, is not a new concept having also been recently employed in the film Signs, to name just one example. In this instance, however, it manages to squeeze the life out of an otherwise original premise. The audience I watched the movie with appeared singularly unimpressed with the religious implications of the film's "significant" moments. The Matrix Revolutions also suffers from an overextended "battle to end all battles" scene. This installment, like The Matrix Reloaded, is guilty of being a little too impressed with its own special effects at times. While The Matrix Revolutions is better than The Matrix Reloaded I have decided to give it a lower rating for two reasons. First, and foremost, if you haven't watched the first two films there is absolutely no point in going to see this movie. Secondly, from my perspective at least, the direction the trilogy has taken makes the "dramatic conclusion" much less interesting. What started with so much promise has morphed into a convoluted and lengthy sermon. The Matrix Revolutions should have been called The Matrix Revelations. The problem, with The Matrix Revolutions, is that while its true that "everything that has a beginning has an end" I wish the ending had been better. Running time - 130 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Newsweek Review Peter Travers /Rolling Stone Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews Matrix Revolutions Official Web Site Comments by Halo Scan: 4:01:47 PM     | MOVIE - THE HUMAN STAIN - Review Rating $$$$$ $ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - Anthony Hopkins (Coleman Silk), Nicole Kidman (Faunia Farley), Ed Harris (Lester Farley), Gary Sinise (Nathan Zuckerman), Wentworth Miller (Young Coleman Silk), Jacinda Barrett (Steena Paulsson), Phyllis Newman (Iris Silk) & Anna Deavere Smith (Mrs. Silk). DIRECTOR - Robert Benton (Nobody's Fool, Twilight, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Places in the Heart & Billy Bathgate) Based on the novel by Philip Roth. Warning - "Spoilers" contained in review The performances, in the The Human Stain, are so outstanding you may be temporarily lulled into thinking that this film is a masterpiece of psychological intrigue and/or a powerful social commentary. Upon closer examination it becomes apparent that, great performances aside, the wool has been pulled over yours eyes. The film's substance is illusionary and turns out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. The Human Stain's undoing is analogous to a slow death from a thousand contrivances. The event that precipitates a maelstrom of conflict is itself a stretch. The firing of Professor Silk (Hopkins) is based on the very equivocal use of one word. Even when political correctness was at its peak it is unlikely that a similar single comment would have been sufficient, without more, to justify the firing of a tenured professor. The Life Of David Gale began with a similarly weak premise and we all know how good that film was. The Human Stain's lack of concern, with the veracity of its premise, wouldn't be so problematic if it didn't turn out to be just the first such event in a long series of equally contrived coincidences. These include: - Silk's wife dying the day he is fired; - Silk falling in love with a woman half his age (Faunia Farley) who's either been really hard done by, is Susan Smith reincarnated or both; - Farley's husband being either a crazed Vietnam Vet Stalker, a deeply committed father pushed over the edge by a harlot or both; - Silk's discovery that there's a famous author, with a bad case of writer's block, hiding in the woods and; - Silk lied about his true identity and is actually a very light-skinned African American. The credibility of The Human Stain's social/psychological commentary goes out the window as these coincidences pile up. The short shrift given each of these potentially thought-provoking themes only serves to reinforce the impression that they've only been included to "shock and awe". These personal "bombshells" are the literal equivalent of the pyrotechnics employed, in mediocre Action films, to make you forget about the plot's inherent weakness. To discuss the implications of the various themes touched on in The Human Stain would be giving the film a level of credence that it richly doesn't deserve. The Human Stain is, to borrow the title of a song by the Canadian Rock Group Trooper, "A three dressed up as a nine". The only reason to go see The Human Stain is for the opportunity to yet again witness superb performances by some of the greatest actors working today. Watching Nicole Kidman reminded me of the George Burns quote, "Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you've got it made". Her ability to so completely and convincingly throw herself into any and all roles is simply unrivaled. The rest of the cast is brilliant as well. Too bad the movie isn't. The Human Stain isn't nearly as good as it thinks it is. Running time - 106 minutes Roger Ebert's Review Peter Travers / Rolling Stone Review Newsweek Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews The Human Stain Official Web Site The Human Stain Official Novel Site Comments by Halo Scan: 3:31:17 PM     |

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