'MATRIX CRITICS? **** 'EM'

Sky News ^ | 5-21-03

[hope]

'MATRIX CRITICS? **** 'EM'

Matrix Reloaded star Laurence Fishburne turned the air blue live on Sky News when he was interviewed at the UK premiere of the blockbuster film.

Fishburne, who plays the mack-clad Morpheus, was asked by Sky's Matt Smith what he thought about the critical response to the sci-fi thriller.

The star raised his middle finger and launched into a four-letter tirade before walking away with security staff.

Although the film, which stars Keanu Reeves, has been hailed as the film of the year, some critics say the movie does not match the original, which has become a worldwide phenomenon.

'Pretty extraordinary'

Hundreds of fans braved pouring rain to catch a glimpse of the film's stars in Leicester Square.

Reeves was joined on the red carpet by co-stars Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett-Smith and twins Neil and Adrian Rayment, the film's most unlikely stars.

He was more polite when asked about how the film's frenzied reception.

"It is pretty extraordinary," he told Sky News.

"It's great to be part of it. It does not happen very often."

He kept screaming fans happy by signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Cannes

Last week the most hyped movie release of the year dazzled crowds at Cannes with its European premiere.

The Matrix party was one of the hottest tickets of the festival, with a lavish £2m bash laid on for the stars.

Matrix Reloaded took a record $93m in its first weekend at US cinemas, the second-biggest opening of all time behind Spider-Man.

Warner Bros is reported to have spent $300m (£187m) on making the two follow-ups.

[AdamSelene235]

The first flick was shallow. This one is worse. Its like watching a video game but not being allowed to hold the joystick. Most video games have a better plot and more character development.

[Ed_in_NJ]

BOYCOTT HOLLYWEIRD!!!

[Argus]

It's possible Fishburne thought he was being asked about recent reports that co-director Larry Wachowsky likes dressing up in a red bra and blonde wig and being addressed as "Lara".

[Thebaddog]

You can get a load of the director's girly puss in yesterdays NY Post Page Six site. He's a real catch.

[rellimpank]

--I wasted the price of a matinee' on it yesterday. From the first scene of the crowd swaying to and fro with bare feet in the mud I kept thinking "is this going to get better or should I walk out now and try getting my money back"--unfortunately I waited too long. Thumbs down, down, down--

[Shooter 2.5]

If you didn't like it, I hope you spent time watching the "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" Finale.

It was a great ending to a fantastic underrated show.

[Stopislamnow]

Find a good ftp site and watch it for free.

I'd never do such a thing of course. But it beats the hell outta paying hollowwood fer it and lining the dems coffers.

[AzSteven]

I worry about folks who look at the Matrix for some sort of deep philisophical inspiration or high art. I saw this last Friday, and had a grand time. It even had a convenient pointless Rave scene for me to do the bathroom and popcorn thing. I went for a fun action film with guns, cars and kung-fu, and was not disappointed.

I try to get my religious/moral/philosophical ideas from more appropriate venues that a Keanu Reeves film. Unfortunately, based on the comments of some of the youngsters walking out of the movie, some folks were in the theater waiting for the modern Sermon on the Mount.

[proust]

Heh. Touched a nerve, didn't he? The Matrix actors are all incredibly carried away with themselves. Bottom line: the new movie is a turkey.. "Last Year at Marienbad" with Kung Fu.

[Russell Scott]

Satan's Matrix (Babylonian world system of fallen man) is about to get rooted out and replaced by the REAL Trinity. And you won't even have to buy a ticket to not just to see it, but experience it.

"Silver and gold have I not, but such as I have I give to you."

[Huck]

I thought the first one stunk. No intentions of seeing this one.

[pupdog]

Considering how Morpheus talks (and Fishburne isn't all that different from my experience), I think this is the most appropriate response to the bashers. Complaints I've heard about the movie so far:

• Too much action
• Not enough action

• Action sequences too extravagant
• Action sequences too boring

• Moves too slow
• Moves too fast/too much information

• Simplistic dialogue
• Overly complex/flowery dialogue

• Sex/rave scene unnecesary
• Sex/rave scene not daring enough

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. I think Fishburne's response is mine at this point. And I'm glad that the Wachowski's didn't try to make this all things for all people. M2 makes perfect sense to me as a continuation of the ideas of the first movie, though it did so in ways I wasn't expecting. I'll be seeing it a few more times before it leaves the theatres.

You tell em, Laurence.

[Asclepius]

Satan's Matrix (Babylonian world system of fallen man) is about to get rooted out and replaced by the REAL Trinity.

Dude. The apocalypse got canceled. Lack of interest etc. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost all caught the last train for the coast etc. Settle in and make the best of it.

[VadeRetro]

The first flick was shallow. This one is worse. Its like watching a video game but not being allowed to hold the joystick. Most video games have a better plot and more character development.

Hollywood needs screenwriters. If it weren't for some ponderous this-means-anything-you-want-it-to philosophizing speeches by Fishburne, the movie would be the longest special effect in movie history. It seems to say, "Just stay with me! It'll all make sense!" Two and a half hours later, it flashes "To be continued."

[Duke Nukum]

I thought the movie was great. Not as good as the first, but more action. The only scene I thought went on too long was the rave in the cave.

But the 15 minute car chase was stunning.

And the fight between Neo and all the Agent Smiths was great.

What more could you want from a movie? The fact that it takes itself/world seriously is part of the fun.

I watched Eight Legged Freaks over the weekend and while it was a good popcorn movie, it would have been better if they had actually tried to scare the audience.

I mean, that's why I love Herschell Gordon Lewis movies, he knew he was making bad movies but he let the character take their shoddy worlds seriously.

[MortMan]

I think Fishburn's response was fine - and showed he had a thicker skin than most. "Critics? Forget 'em. I had fun, and I like the film, and I like the payday. Who needs critics?"

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Man! What is this? First we have links to porn sites on threads, then a finger flip pic, and also threads on explicit sexual activities. I think today is brought to you by the letter "R".

[Phsstpok]

Dude. The apocalypse got canceled.

Sounds like you would enjoy Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's (sp?) Good Omens. Premise is that it is time for the apocalypse. Only problem is that when the anti-christ was born Satan's minions screwed up and put the brat with a perfectly nice couple from manchester, while their baby went to the satan worshipper couple. Now the kid with the power is a fairly pleasant little boy and can't quite figure out why all of these wierd hell spawn keep coming up to him asking for instructions. In the meantime the chief angel and chief demon on earth have decided they like their gigs here and they're serruptitiously doing everything they can to thwart the final battle. Lunatic. Rumor has had this as a Terry Gilliam movie for some time, but it'll never see the light of day. Sigh.

[toddst]

Dude. The apocalypse got canceled.

Millions of Christians disagree with you. But then, we'll all be confronted (or comforted) by what happens. I believe you are in for a big surprise - Dude.