I hope V for Vendetta is not why Lana got into filmmaking. Because the movie is serviceable and that's about it. It doesn't elevate the source material at all. This is a movie directors do in order to get the real job they want.
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Lana Wachowski is reportedly done with filmmaking and "accomplished everything she set out to do"
- Thread starter ZattMurdock
- Start date
I hope V for Vendetta is not why Lana got into filmmaking. Because the movie is serviceable and that's about it. It doesn't elevate the source material at all. This is a movie directors do in order to get the real job they want.
Speed Racer is doing two very difficult things to get right:
* be an adaptation in the first place: adaptations are hard. People have expectations from the get go and you have to try and meet those while putting a spin on the source material that these same people can either like or look past. Almost all of these wind up failing in the public consensus.
* be a live action anime: this is probably just as hard if not harder to get right than the above. Anime fans are crazy about their animes and doing a live action anime and meeting the source material accurately in any way that isn't awful is insanely difficult, pretty much none of these ever work. They pretty much always fail to feel like an anime while also looking tremendously cheap/awful.
Speed Racer is not only a very good modernization of its source material but it's the only live action anime film I've seen that does its anime justice.
You may disagree or whatever of course, but I think this is the heart of why people who like the film like the film. It really does feel like a live action anime (ESPECIALLY the final racethis is like peak anime), and it looks anything but cheap. The CGI still holds up extremely well.
I really hated Speed Racer. I bought into the GAF hype and holy shit it was dreadful. As is every film they've done other than the first Matrix.
The adaptation discussion is interesting. The Shining, while wonderful, is not a very faithful or beloved adaptation. Likewise 2001 really wasn't The Sentinal. My favourite film, Blue is the Warmest Colour, seemingly drifted massively from the comic book.
While I'd agree that an adaptation doesn't make something a lesser work by definition, the instances when I've felt the strongest about them are times where they had little regard for the original material.
The adaptation discussion is interesting. The Shining, while wonderful, is not a very faithful or beloved adaptation. Likewise 2001 really wasn't The Sentinal. My favourite film, Blue is the Warmest Colour, seemingly drifted massively from the comic book.
While I'd agree that an adaptation doesn't make something a lesser work by definition, the instances when I've felt the strongest about them are times where they had little regard for the original material.
They had some misses, but I really enjoyed the first Matrix and Cloud Atlas. I even saw Cloud Atlas again a few months back and still really enjoyed it; it holds up well.
Hopefully they will come back and do something else, but if not, then I have enjoyed their output. The first Matrix blew my mind when I saw it as a teenager in theaters.
Hopefully they will come back and do something else, but if not, then I have enjoyed their output. The first Matrix blew my mind when I saw it as a teenager in theaters.
It's a tough job that needs you to put everything you have. I'm happy for her. Not a fan of some of her movies, but you can't hit the target every time.
Wasn't their last big movie Jupiter Ascending? I was kind of hoping they would go out in a higher note
Missed. Figure it out. Autocorrect isn't that difficult to parse.
Some real highs, but lots of lows too.
When even fantastic movies like speed racer and cloud atlas aren't big hits, and then rubbish like Jupiter ascending (wasnt that meant to be a trilogy?) and Sense8 don't find an audience, I can understand why any studio/network would be reluctant to fund anything but low budget indie style works from the Wachowskis. Maybe they're not interested in doing that.
I wonder what will happen with the upcoming matrix prequel/sequel/reboot.
When even fantastic movies like speed racer and cloud atlas aren't big hits, and then rubbish like Jupiter ascending (wasnt that meant to be a trilogy?) and Sense8 don't find an audience, I can understand why any studio/network would be reluctant to fund anything but low budget indie style works from the Wachowskis. Maybe they're not interested in doing that.
I wonder what will happen with the upcoming matrix prequel/sequel/reboot.
I don't think so, actually. Obviously, the Matrix trilogy is their only mainstream hit (outside of arguably V for Vendetta, which they produced), but:
- Bound will live on as a notable cult thriller from the 90s.
- Speed Racer as a visually delightful kids film.
- Cloud Atlas and Sense8 as gloriously weird big-budget messes.
- Jupiter Ascending--OK, that will probably be forgotten.
As Shamyalan has demonstrated, that pathway to a comeback is definitely open. But as you say, the Wachowskis might not be interested in going to the lengths he did, which included low budgets and putting up his own money.
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It's a shame because I've really enjoyed most of the Wachowski's work. Even the stuff that was flawed still had something I enjoyed(yes, even Jupiter Ascending). I haven't seen Speed Racer but I will remedy that today.
I hope she comes back after a break with something amazing.
I hope she comes back after a break with something amazing.
Sad to hear that, Cloud Atlas remains one of my favorite films of the past few years, and Sense8 was great.
Hmmm I feel there is a lot of untapped potential here. The wachowskis feel like a musician who released an amazing first album and then followed it with deeply flawed experimental follow ups. I wish they could come back with a bang and then go out instead but if both of them are happy then good for them :)
That's very sad to hear, I love her and her sister's filmography and what they bring to the table is so different from anything else in Hollywood.
But hey, if she feels good about her career and wants to move on, I can't argue against that.
Hopefully her sister will keep going though, and maybe Lana will try out some other mediums. Books, comics, games, etc. It'd be a shame if she just retired entirely.
But hey, if she feels good about her career and wants to move on, I can't argue against that.
Hopefully her sister will keep going though, and maybe Lana will try out some other mediums. Books, comics, games, etc. It'd be a shame if she just retired entirely.
Matrix was the most amazing thing ever when I first saw it. While it hasn't aged as well as I'd hope, I still hold a special place for it in my heart. Apart from that the only movie I really like of theirs is Cloud Atlas which resonated more with me than I'd expected. I really love its flow.
Sorry to see them go. But, it was clear that they only wanted to tell their recurring story of self-discovery. Sense8 is a testament to that. Wish they were more open to tell other stories. Oh well wish them the best of luck.
Sorry to see them go. But, it was clear that they only wanted to tell their recurring story of self-discovery. Sense8 is a testament to that. Wish they were more open to tell other stories. Oh well wish them the best of luck.
I think their vision has always been amazing. They have made some truly incredible things and influenced the industry in many ways. Now that they have this unique perspective as transgender I wish they would do more and share that with the world. Sense 8 had a beautiful message of openness and Hollywood could do with more of that.
The Matrix is one of my favourite films. Even more so as I've grown older and come to appreciate it in new a light. The sequels, as messy as they are, continue to entertain me.
On top of that, I unironically love films like Speed Racer, Jupiter Ascending and Cloud Atlas.
Really need to sit down and watch Bound again, along with finally catching up on Sense8.
Not much else to say, other than wanting to show my gratitude to Lana and Lilly. I'm sure some stuffy suits at WB aren't happy, but I'm so glad they had the chance to share their vision with us, as underappreciated as a lot of it was.
(Also, Jupiter Ascending and The Matrix trilogy are on UHD-BR. Again, not idea if buying them shows WB that you care, but at the very least it allows you to enjoy the absolute best version of these films.)
On top of that, I unironically love films like Speed Racer, Jupiter Ascending and Cloud Atlas.
Really need to sit down and watch Bound again, along with finally catching up on Sense8.
Not much else to say, other than wanting to show my gratitude to Lana and Lilly. I'm sure some stuffy suits at WB aren't happy, but I'm so glad they had the chance to share their vision with us, as underappreciated as a lot of it was.
(Also, Jupiter Ascending and The Matrix trilogy are on UHD-BR. Again, not idea if buying them shows WB that you care, but at the very least it allows you to enjoy the absolute best version of these films.)
Yep. People may think of them as a one hit wonder but I love a lot of their work (including the The Matrix sequels).
I can't say this is too upsetting. The first Matrix just seems like a crazy fluke, and the Wachowskis have no idea what made it work.
All I know is we need more Matrix, I hope she gives her blessing for whoever is behind the next Matrix Movie outside Zakk Penn.
( I also wish we were getting a TV Matrix Anthology show like a Live Action Animatrix and I wish Lana & Lily would do a Live Action version of The Second Renaissance )
But I hope she enjoys her retirement for film and she will always be welcome back anytime.
( I also wish we were getting a TV Matrix Anthology show like a Live Action Animatrix and I wish Lana & Lily would do a Live Action version of The Second Renaissance )
But I hope she enjoys her retirement for film and she will always be welcome back anytime.
I can't help but think that if they hadn't come out as trans they'd be getting more chances in Hollywood still. To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised they were given any opportunities at all after Lana transitioned.
That's a point but I'm sure if they didn't flop at the box office studios wouldn't care.
They've been given many many opportunities. Tbh had the matrix not been so successfully and culturally significant, I doubt they'd have been able to weather the number of flops they've put out. I'm sure there are transphobic individuals in powerful positions in Hollywood, but I think they're likely even more losing-money-phobic.
I can't help but wonder if the titles of their movies contributed to them being unsuccessful. Sense8, Jupiter Ascending, Cloud Atlas. They sound weird and unfamilar but not very interesting. I know a lot of people think the actual content of the movies were mediocre but that doesn't mean it couldn't have done better in box office with a better title.
I'd be fine if The Matrix was never revisited. The really important story has been told.
Netflix cancelled the show after season 2 but then ordered a movie so the show could have a proper ending. From what I recall it does the job but did feel rushed. I enjoyed it.
Those two directed The Matrix, you can die after that for all I care, your job on this earth is done
imo The Matrix should never have had sequels, The Animatrix was a great way to explore the universe with separate stories and background. I think that was enough.
Well, Luke Cage and Iron Fist are Disney, so that makes sense since they are debuting their own streaming service next year. Sense8 was incredibly expensive since they filmed everything on location. Imagine having to shoot an orgy scene with 12 actors on 4 continents.
I mean, really imagine it...
They had plenty of chances, I think. Tons of really big budget ones as well.
Well, they've had 3 flops/disappointments with Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending. But none of them were on the level of stuff like John Carter, The Lone Ranger, Justice League or Solo because all three of their movies had budgets below 200M. I'm sure there are directors working now who have had more/bigger flops.
I really want more Wachowski movies. Their sensibility is appealing even in their most flawed films.