Movie Review: The Matrix

The Matrix

I have a confession to make. In my own way, I'm sometimes as filled with conceit as are many professional movie reviewers: I frequently save my four-star ratings for serious dramas which have, in my opinion, the best acting, direction, and scripts. That's not to say I'm wrong about my four-star rated dramas, of course, but it is to point out that the more "populist" action films and special effects blockbusters typically garner a three-star rating, even if they're very, very good. I'm about to poke a hole in that conceit of mine with this review of The Matrix. Yes, it's an action film and special effects blockbuster. It's also such a unique concept that's executed so brilliantly that I regularly tell friends and acquaintances alike that not only is The Matrix a good movie, it's on my own personal list of the top ten movies. Ever. I own the video already. Rest assured I'm going to be getting the DVD as well.

In The Matrix, Keanu Reeves is an ordinary working guy who programs for a software company by day. But after hours, he's "Neo", an infamous hacker who can handle almost anything thrown at him from any computer anywhere. Neo's life - both parts of it - are thrown into chaos when he starts getting messages on his computer screen telling him what's going to happen a split second before it actually does. Via these messages, he meets a hacker named "Trinity" (brought to life by former model and capable actress Carrie-Anne Moss) who even Neo admires. And through Trinity, Neo is introduced to the greatest of all the hackers, "Morpheus" (ably played by Laurence Fishburne), as well as to the greatest of all computer programs, the "Matrix".

Everything Neo has known to be true turns out to be just the opposite. And Neo is drawn into a fight not just for his sanity and his right to live life in freedom, but for his right to live at all. As the mysterious "agents" try to stop him, Neo probes the Matrix and teams up with a group of rebels to attempt to hack the system once and for all. (One agent is played by Hugo Weaving. You'll get an idea of just how good Mr. Weaving is when you remember he actually has a very medium-pitched voice and an English accent.) The group believes that somewhere there is a programmer who can overcome the Matrix, and they're determined to fight the agents and the Matrix until they find him.

Through it all, special effects run rampant. The effects, though, aren't distracting. In fact, they're so good that they're sometimes not immediately noticeable. It's not until you close your mouth and shake your brain for a moment after watching a fight that takes to the walls or a man who can dodge bullets as though they were gently tossed rubber balls, and wonder, "How'd they do that?" that it strikes you: these effects are unlike anything you've ever seen anywhere before. Ever. The producers brag they invented techniques just so that their vision of The Matrix could be brought to big-screen life. They're not making an empty boast. (Heads up to you effects fans: The two Matrix sequels - both due out in 2003 - are alleged to be even more innovative and impressive.)

SPECIAL NOTE: For all of you folks willing to trade freedom for safety, be forewarned: The Matrix is completely safe. But do you really want to be there?

FAMILY SUITABILITY: The Matrix is both graphically violent and mind-bendingly complex, at least at times. The movie, which is rated R, has unquestionably been given the proper rating. This is not a movie for kids. It is, however, for everyone else. Whether you like science fiction or not, whether you like Keanu Reeves or not, there's a good chance you'll find something to love about The Matrix.