Luke-20 Reviews

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Nothing between the screen and the audience

[3/10 · 8 November 2003]

First I have to say, I'm not a die-hard "Matrix" fan. The original "Matrix" isn't a masterpiece, it ain't even a great movie. But, yeah, it is a cool movie, a good flick, a cult film. It could've been another mediocre action-yawner, but the imagination of the Wachowski Brothers was quite stunning: the mythic-like characters with their leather coats, the well-timed subject of the over-thought plot, and - after all - the philosophical, mythical and religious roots. There's even more in it, but I have to go on to the point :)

I rated "The Matrix" 7/10.

"The Matrix Reloaded" instead could've been (just) a good action-flick, but the Wachowski Brothers seemed to get lost in their own story (world?). I was still stunned by the imagination of the creators, but the episodical structure of the movie and the mumbling speeches made it unclear and hardly watchable. But still somehow watchable. One scene made me laugh, I liked the self-irony in another one, there was even a scene I could call "real art". Not much, but still something.

I rated "The Matrix Reloaded" 4/10

Now we come to the final chapter. It's a pity, that of every positive aspect I mentioned above, only one was left in "The Matrix Revolutions" - the Wachowski Brother's imagination. The visual part is real good (although sometimes I've had the feeling it was too overblown). But that's it. Nothing more. Many moment were pathetic, some were daub. But the worst is that the creators somehow lost contact with the viewers. There was nothing left between the screen and the audience. The movie left me cold. No chemistry, no laughter, no thrills, no thoughts. No emotions (maybe except of irritation). And without this special something no pictures will stay alive in us - doesn't matter, how imaginative they are.

I rated "The Matrix Revolutions" 3/10.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

One of the best movies of the century!

[10/10 · 30 December 1998]

If you think "Pulp Fiction" is brilliant, you're wrong. It's more than that. It's a milestone in the history of film making. It's already a classic. But why? Because of the many "f" words, or maybe because of the brain and skull pieces on the rear window of a car? No, that's surely not the point (unfortunately some other users - fortunately the minority - don't get it). Tarantino has made a movie that's someway different from many other action, gangster or crime movies. What's so different? He knows the subject of the movie is "cool", he knows it's a product of mass culture, and he even likes it by himself. But he smiles at it and tells three great stories with a lot of irony. And this irony is the first point. The second point is that he gave souls to extremely schematic characters. They surely aren't another action heroes who you forget as fast as you can twinkle. They are human beings like we are, talking about Burger King and McDonalds, about TV series and a foot massage. They just earn their money with killing others or selling drugs. What else is so great about "Pulp Fiction"? It's the acting, the directing, the cinematography, the soundtrack, the sense of humour and the whole rest. In my opinion it's all worth nothing less than a 10 out of 10. A masterpiece.

Raging Bull (1980)

Fantastic, superb, amazing...

[10/10 · 29 December 1998]

...there's no simple word that could describe "Raging Bull". It's surely one of the best movies ever made. Although I love "Taxi Driver", "GoodFellas" and other Scorsese films, this one's his best. Great cinematography, great acting and directing, great dialogues, great everything. In my opinion it's one of the best character studies in the history of movie making. If you still haven't seen "Raging Bull" than stop reading these comments (as you can see they all look quite the same), go see it and have one of the greatest experiences of your life!