Ermmm.... And your point is...?

Rating: Null/10 (4 July 2003)

That was the question I posed to a friend who didn't quite "get" the film.
The reason - this is a fantastic film that comes at you from two angles: -
1) If you like state of the art sci-fi, martial arts and camera effects to keep Cannon in business for aeons, then this fits the bill.
2) If you like something to think about while doing it, again this is your man.
The main thing that annoys me about reviews is people's attempts to over-analyse what is, in effect, an entertainment medium. The whole point is to turn up at the cinema, pay your dues and be immersed in a universe beyond your experience set - "to suspend belief" - if only for a short time and this film does that superbly. It abounds with enough technical wizardry to make Oz look like a cheap parlour trick.
The plot (although it helps if you have seen the first film, played the game, watched the 'questionable' animations, read the book, worn the tee-shirt - you get the idea!!) is as easy to follow if you take it in the context of an individual film or as a series. Why people look for and concentrate on flaws rather than enjoy the immersion is beyond me and sounds about as much fun as looking for continuity errors!!
You can take or leave the philosophy and those that have taken note of this aspect and slated it as being flawed miss the point entirely. The whole point of philosophy is to take a subject and think inside, outside and beyond the box until every permutation of thought and argument has been explored. Who's to say the roots of this films philosophy are any less valid than Descartes, Aristotle or any other of the great thinkers. And how boring it would be if we all agreed in our philosophical ponderings.
So, if like me, you like to stare in amazement at the feats of modern CG and stagecraft and get a kick from trying to figure out the plot before the next twist throws you off track, get your ass down to the cinema, grab some popcorn, pay your money and sit in the semi-darkness until the opening credits start a roller coaster of technically visual mastery....