The Matrix is a whole trilogy, I think they have much more screen time to put in more content since you know.. they are 2 movie lengths longer than Equilibrium. But from what my memory tells me, I have no problem being sucked into Equilibrium's dystopian society. Maybe it's my imaginative child brain (i was 15 when i watch Equilibrium).
I understand you are NOT saying either of them are bad.
but you did point the BIG BIG difference of how they introduce the world of which the story was set.
Certainly something i can take note of when watching my next high-quality flick.
Speaking of high-quality flicks.. hmmm... You've just made me wanna watch those two stories again. It's been a long since getting mindblown by them and who knows 23 year old me will see the movie in an entire different light than 15 year old me.