I remember when Father Geek first read this script over a year ago... He came running into my room demanding that I read the script right then. You see, he wanted to talk to someone about the film, but needed someone that.... well knew. So I did, and I got excited... I even wrote some happy promising reports on the project, but when Keanu got on board, my interest left the building. But with all these positive vibes irradiating off this project... perhaps this is that rare Keanu gem.... "Can't be coal all the time, can it?"
Hallo Harry,
New contributor from the jungle, baby. Wanted to throw you the skinny on this new film from the boys who brought you BOUND called "The Matrix," starring Keanu Reeves and Larry Fishburne.
Attended an advanced press screening tonight with some fellow reporters. Apparently there was some sort of trailer for this movie during the Super Bowl, but since I despise sports I hadn't seen nor heard a thing about this picture.
First things first: we're all chatting about real nice and well in this cosy screening room when Joel Silver himself walks up to the front of the room(!). He introduces himself (a tad bubberingly) and begins to tell us about this special film that they had put together, and how it was so special that they decided to bump up its release date to April in order to allow it a little oxygen before the first STAR WARS hit the fan. Which was another reason they were holding a press screening this early -- to generate positive buzz...
Which is, I reckon, where I come in.
From the descriptions I'd heard, I didn't know what to expect. A cyber-punk Keanu Reeves movie? "Johnny Pneumonic, Book II?"
I can say with utter sincerity, this is a lot more...
Now, I came into this movie not knowing what to expect at all, and I don't know how they are marketing this, but I don't want to be responsible for spoiling anyone's experience with excessive plot detail. But to describe it in Hollywood pitch speak, it's Jacob's Ladder meets Drunken Master meets T2 meets The Game (as it relates to North by Northwest) meets TRON meets Blade Runner meets Enter the Dragon meets a Pentium 3 with a souped-up graphics card and shitloads of RAM! Some of the imagery in this film is just a stunningly refreshing and innovative exploitation of the medium. Which is not to downplay the script, which is surprisingly clever in its dramatic tricks. It's been a while since Joel has coaxed out a film with this much intelligence...
Funny and thrilling and disarming and surprisingly engaging, the people I attended the screening with seemed to react with similar zeal. Joel did hint at this becoming a potentially big franchise, and it does largely play as the first part of a series... but instead of it feeling cheap at the end, there is this sensation of excitement... where will we go next...?
The effects still need some going over, as Joel warned ahead of time, but most look rather well-done. I look forward to seeing all the blank spaces fleshed out.
Well, believe it or not, you haven't heard the last from me. My name is Crypt Orchid. I'm a psycho killer in N.Y.C. And I know kung-fu.
