145
Russell Crowe Criticizes ‘Gladiator 2’: ‘A Really Unfortunate Example’ of the Creative Team ‘Not Understanding What Made the First One Special’ Discussion (variety.com)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/movies@piefed.social
31 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 0 points 11 months ago* (6 children)

I think directors like Ridley Scott get corrupted by seeking spectacle. He indeed took a “big swing”…but it was a swing to make the next Avatar or The Matrix…he’s already checked his amazing filmmaker box…he wanted a mega blockbuster. The obvious problem being that Avatar and The Matrix aren’t actually very good movies…they just hit the zeitgeist.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
    •
  • [–] 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (5 children)

    While I agree with you that The Matrix really hit the Zeitgeist, I wouldn't call it a bad or even mediocre movie. It's a solid sci-fi cyberpunk action movie.

    I personally wish they explored the early part a bit more where Neo is wondering about reality. The action is great, but a contrast with broader discussions behind the meaning of The Matrix would only make the action even more intense. The part about "Neo (The One)" and Trinity's and Morpheus' relationship to the prophecy was really weak though. I thought it sucked even as a late pre-teen.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 5 child comments
    •
  • [–] 0 points 11 months ago* (4 children)

    The Matrix is iconic…but when you break it down, it’s not very good. From it being a recycled premise, to terrible acting, lazy hole-filled writing, to it stealing (stealing, not paying homage to) scenes from other action movies…it’s just not objectively very good.

    Good thing for us films are subjective.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago (3 children)

    I see what you mean and I generally agree, I just don't think it was full on bad.

    Don't get me wrong, I rewatched it with a 10+ year gap since the last viewing and I thought it would be better. It didn't have that same intensity that was there in the last viewing in the late 2000s.

    But it's not full on bad.

    But yes, these matters are subject to a degree.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
    •
  • [–] 0 points 11 months ago (2 children)

    I agree it’s not full on bad…it’s a great mindless action flick with unexpected one-liners from Keanu. Should have been one-and-done…but Animatrix was great, for the most part.

    I’m basically over reacting because it has too much cultural significance ie the whole blue pill red pill thing. I guess it’s not my problem that conservatives misunderstand a really simple movie.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 child)

    I am not from the US (although I've lived there for several years), thankfully the blue/red pill thing is not that relevant where I live.

    Not a fan of those type of polemics at all.

    I generally enjoy b-movies (especially 90s sci-fi), so The Matrix seems fine, even though it could have been way better. It's very superficial and they never really explored the truly mind bending stuff.

    I am normally sceptical of remake/reboots, but I would love a psychedelic remake of The Matrix, with a bigger focus on the early part of the movie where Neo feels disconnected from reality. The 90s retro vibe would be the cherry on top.

    Animatrix was great, some parts were not particularly memorable, others were top notch. The Second Renaissance could have been a feature in of itself, same for A Detective Story.

    I would even go as far as saying The Animatrix as a whole is a better take on the Matrix concept than the OG movie itself.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago

    I’m Canadian…so.

    Agree pretty much on all points. That’s a good way to enjoy The Matrix: as a high budget b-movie. It didn’t scratch the surface of existentialism…but in a roundabout way it brought us the pseudo-Lynchian Neon Demon, which I really enjoyed and where Keanu Reeves played a world class creep - to tie it back together.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent