The Matrix is one of those rare films that manage to combine state of the art special effects with a plot line and hero that have hidden depth to them. With the possible exception of Bladerunner, no film has managed to deliver such awesome visuals, high-octane action and thought-provoking themes ... Read review
Set in a visually stunning futuristic world, 'The Matrix' is an explosive action thriller ... more
that explores the notion that everything we believe to be real is actually a computerised virtual world.When Neo (Keanu Reeves) learns the disturbing truth, every move, every second, every thought becomes a fight to stay alive and escape The Matrix.
Sentinels swarm. Smith clones. Neo flies... but perhaps not even a Chosen One gifted with ... more
astonishing new powers can stop the advance of the Machines.Neo. Morpheus. Trinity. They're back for the powerful second chapter of The Matrix trilogy, and exciting new allies join them in the struggle against foes who are cloned, upgraded and closing in on humanity's last enclave.Back, too, are the Wachowski Brothers and producer Joel Silver, expanding their vision with a spectacle that rocks the sense, probes the heart and shapes filmmaking's tomorrows.What is the Matrix?The question is not yet fully answered. And it leads to another: Who created The Matrix? The answers lead to more worlds of bold possibility - and to a destiny that passes from revelations to Revolutions.
The Matrix revolutionized the science-fiction action film for ever and this collection of ... more
stories delves deeper into the world of the movies exploring every aspect of the struggle between machine and mankind between what is real and what is illusion. With contributions from the biggest names in comic writing and art this is actually better than Reloaded and Revolutions. - Movie Insider Magazine If you're a comic fan or a fan of illustrated storytelling get this book now. If you're a Matrix fan and new to comics this might be the best introduction you could ask for! - The Matrix 101.com
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Neo. Trinity. Morpheus. They and other heroes stand on the brink of victory or ... more
annihilation in the epic war against the Machines in the stunning final chapter of the Matrix trilogy. For Neo, that means going where no human has dared - into the heart of Machine City and into a cataclysmic showdown with the exponentially more powerful renegade programme Smith. For writer-directors the Wachowski Brothers and producer Joel Silver, that means soaring beyond the amazing visual inventiveness of the first two films. The revolution is now: The Matrix Revolutions.
The definite three disc Blu-ray set. The Complete Matrix Trilogy features all three films ... more
in the trilogy together for the first time ever in stunning high definition, with a newly re-mastered picture and sound for The Matrix. Also included is the companion piece The Matrix Revisited, two new audio commentaries on each film, Enter the Matrix video game footage, deep-delving featurettes/ documentaries and much more!The Matrix: Perception: The Everyday World is Real. Reality: That World is a hoax, an elaborate deception spun by all-powerful machines of artificial intelligence that control us.Mind blowing stunts. Techno-slamming visuals. Megakick action. Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne lead the fight to free humankind in The Matrix, the cyber thriller that you will watch again and again. Written and Directed by the Wachowski brothers (Bound), the story sears, the special effects stake out new movie-making territory - the movie leaves you breathless.The Matrix Reloaded: Neo and the leaders of the human resistance discover that Sentinels are burrowing their way towards Zion. Estimating they have perhaps just 72 hours until an all-out assault, Neo must return back into the Matrix and find the keymaker to gain access to the mainframe to ensure human survival...The Matrix Revolutions: In this final explosive third installment of the Matrix trilogy, the city of Zion, last bastion of the human race, defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo attempts to fulfill his prophecy as 'The One'. As the Machine Army wages devastation on Zion, its citizens mount an aggressive defense - but can they stave off the relentless swarm of Sentinels long enough for Neo, adrift in a no man's land between the Matrix and the Machine world, to harness the full extent of his powers and end the war?
Perception: The Everyday World is Real. Reality: That World is a hoax an elaborate ... more
deception spun by all-powerful machines of artificial intelligence that control us. Mind blowing stunts. Techno-slamming visuals. Megakick action. Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne lead the fight to free humankind in The Matrix the cyber thriller that you will watch again and again. Written and Directed by the Wachowski brothers (Bound) the story sears the special effects stake out new movie-making territory - the movie leaves you breathless.
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Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
Advantages: a slick , action packed and deep movie Disadvantages: none
The Matrix is one of those rare films that manage to combine state of the art special effects with a plot line and hero that have hidden depth to them. With the possible exception of Bladerunner, no film has managed to deliver such awesome visuals, high-octane action and thought-provoking themes all in one package. Science Fiction is not normally known for its cerebral nature, Kubrick's 2001 stands out, but generally the genre is happy to revel in ... ...coupled with well worn plots inhabited by predictable and two dimensional characters. As the millennium came to an end, the Matrix arrived like a breath of fresh air to re-established the credibility of science fiction in one fell swoop.
The film opens with Neo, a disillusioned computer hacker looking for answers. He feels the world is not what it seems and is spending every waking hour searching for a semi-mythical figure, Morpheus, ... more
The Matrix is one of those rare films that manage to combine state of the art special effects with a plot line and hero that have hidden depth to them. With the possible exception of Bladerunner, no film has managed to deliver such awesome visuals, high-octane action and thought-provoking themes all in one package. Science Fiction is not normally known for its cerebral nature, Kubrick's 2001 stands out, but generally the genre is happy to revel in style over content, a quick fix of dazzling visuals normally coupled with well worn plots inhabited by predictable and two dimensional characters. As the millennium came to an end, the Matrix arrived like a breath of fresh air to re-established the credibility of science fiction in one fell swoop.
The film opens with Neo, a disillusioned computer hacker looking for answers. He feels the world is not what it seems and is spending every waking hour searching for a semi-mythical figure, Morpheus, who he believes will give him the answers. Dragged into a shadowy world he is introduced to a band of renegades who reveal to him the true nature of the world around him. All his life he has been living in a world that has been fabricated in his mind to keep him from knowing the truth, the reality is that mankind is on the brink of annihilation and now for the first time in his life he is free, but free in a world totally alien to him. Mankind is locked in a battle for its very existence against the evolved artificial intelligence that was awoken by his own headlong drive to conquer science. Like a Frankenstein's monster, that intelligence returned to destroy its master and in doing so has taken away the world, as we knew it, in the process. As a slave race, mans only contribution to this new world is as a source of energy and to keep from learning the truth about their world they are plugged in to a virtual environment, The Matrix.
Now free in a harsh and ruined world Neo learns how to move in an out of the virtual world and also of his destiny, he is believed to be the "one" a Christ like figure that can win the war and save mankind, Neo himself is however less sure of his place in his new found world. The story builds to pit Neo against his nemesis, a rogue agent looking for a way out and in an action packed finale Neo's true role is revealed.
On a purely visual level The Matrix delivers in spades. Embracing the new CGI technology that was coming of age it is a thrilling white-knuckle ride. The kung fu fights are a triumph of choreography and the stop frame filming brought something new to western audiences, though it's a technique familiar to martial films made for the Asian cinema. Like Bladerunner before it, this film manages to mix up futuristic and past. The high tech, day glow, MTV world of the fabricated Matrix is a complete contrast to the ruins and devastation of reality. The film therefore moves easily from modern nightclubs, shadow spun back streets, corroded metallic environments and the stark glare of computer-generated backdrops. The overall look of the film is that of a futuristic gothic nightmare, a mix of the industrial revolution and the space age where high technology rubs shoulders with the dark ages. It's a world that could have tripped off of the pen of William Gibson.
As I said earlier, as well as having more bullets spent than all of Arnie's movies put together and more high kicks that the whole series of the Water Margin, The Matrix also works on an intellectual level. Heavily reliant on Buddhist ideas the film explores a number of philosophical concepts. The whole awakening of Neo to the real world examines our perception of the world around us and challenges the whole seeing is believing idea. We are all aware that we are fed lies on a daily basis, from politicians, journalists, educators and the like, but to what level? What if the whole world is a fabrication? That's the idea the film puts to us. Again the Bladerunner analogies raise their heads here, the nature of artificial intelligence and humanity. Do the human traits of the Matrix agents actually make them such, is humanity something that can be artificially mimicked or is it genetic? Neo's very existence questions the nature of faith, destiny and spiritual leaders or at least mans need for them. Questions are subliminally thrown at you all the time, questions that you will take home with you and think about for a long time to come, good value for money from a sci-fi romp I think you'll agree.
And it has performances that find the right notes. Keanu Reeves goes for the impassive Harrison Ford approach, "acting" as little as possible. I suppose that's the right idea. Laurence Fishburne finds a balance between action hero and Zen master. Carrie-Anne Moss, as Trinity, has a sensational title sequence, before the movie recalls that she's a woman and shuttles her into support mode. Hugo Weaving, as the chief Agent, uses a flat, menacing tone that reminded me of Tommy Lee Jones in passive-aggressive overdrive. There's a well-acted scene involving Gloria Foster as the uncharacteristically normal Oracle, who like all Oracles is maddeningly enigmatic.
As many of you will be aware this film has been treated to two sequels, but whilst the whole can be viewed as one continuous story, in the same way that the three Lord of the Rings films work as one, this, the first film, does stand alone. It has the best of both worlds in that it resolves the initial part of the story but leaves enough elements open to link to following films. Even if you are not particularly a fan of the sci-fi genre, this film might just appeal, due to its thought provoking nature and slick delivery, even if you don't watch the whole cycle. A brilliant film that will set the benchmark for science fiction for a long time to come.
Advantages: Excellent entertainment Disadvantages: A bit long? Nah
...a computer simulation called the Matrix, run by a race of super intelligent sentient machines that enslaved humanity several centuries earlier and have been using them as a power source ever since. A small band of freedom fighters have freed themselves from the Matrix and under Morpheus' leadership they consider Neo to be the chosen one. Is Neo indeed the chosen one? Can one man really make that much of a difference? Only time will tell, but not ... ...at first seem...
I'll be honest, The Matrix was heralded as being so wonderful by so many people that I couldn't fail to be suspicious. Films have been lauded in the past and they've turned out to be mind numbingly bad. The hype machine goes into overdrive and for the next 3 years everyone suffers from quality blindness, singing it's praises when in actuality it's a total load of garbage. Forgive my skepticism but I'm a cynic when it comes to these ...
TheNeil 16.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Matrix, The (1999)
Advantages: Action, story, effects Disadvantages: Where's the sequel?
...be this way. In The Matrix, it is exactly the same thing. The simulation may be completely computer-generated, but the parallel can still be clearly drawn. The humans of The Matrix believe in something that is completely and utterly fictitious and only one or two individuals can see this for the truth. Are the rebels of The Matrix the heathens of the modern world?
The Matrix is also very clever because despite the predicament of the human race, ... ...modern agricultural methods. In The Matrix, dead human beings are simply recycled and intravenously fed back to the other humans. It sounds disgusting – but then similar activities take place in modern-day agriculture. It seems that the audience will only really understand the horror of something when it involves human beings. That rare human quality of hypocrisy is clearly prevalent in this film.
To unsettle you further, the filmmakers employ ...
LostWitness 23.10.2002 (13.04.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Matrix, The (1999)
Advantages: Groundbreaking special effects. Intriguing, fast placed plot. Disadvantages: Keanu although ok should not have been lead actor.
The Matrix
Rating (15)
Running Time. 135 minutes
Released. September 1999
Direction. Larry and Andy the Wachowski Brothers.
Cast. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishbourne, Carrie Ann-Moss, Hugo Weaving and Joe Pantoliano.
Another big budget ($60 million), Hollwood, Sci-Fi thriller - did we really need it ? I didn't think so, I had a strong dislike for Keanu Reeves and Sci-Fi thrillers were running wild at the time so I didn't get to see this film ... ...the bargain bin of my local Tesco's. Despite being four years too late I'm still going to tell you about this film because I would put it in my top ten of all time.
What is The Matrix ?
Where else to start but the opening shots. Trinity (Carrie Ann-Moss), a gorgeous, leather clad, high kicking hellcat evades police and secret agents by leaping across rooftops with seemingly superhuman capabilities pursued by equally superhuman Agent Smith (Hugo ...
WormThatTurned 20.02.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Matrix, The (1999)
...special effects’. However, in The Matrix, the special effects are so good, you can’t actually see any signs of special effects and if you didn’t know they were special effects (well, if you were thick) then you wouldn’t know they were. There is also a good soundtrack to the film which my sister bought, but after looking through her bedroom and finding loads of interesting stuff, I didn’t find this CD, so I’ll just ... ...when I watched the film! You’ll find the following tracks during the film: Rock is Dead – Marylin Manson (I’ve heard this used in a lot of films!) Bad Blood – Ministry Clubbed to Death – Rob D Mindfields – prodigy So, from that small list, you can see what the soundtracks like and after listening to it a while ago myself, I can tell you that it is well worth buying if you ever see a copy. So overall then this is ...
GR-Design 15.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Matrix, The (1999)
Advantages: Originality, great effects, action, soundtrack Disadvantages: None Whatsoever
...to free him from the Matrix, and when this is completed he joins their band of rebels.
Morphius is convinced that Neo is ”The One” who was promised to their cause by a prophet. The One would be able to overcome the Matrix and set everyone free and lead them in their war against the machines. Some great action follows and a lot more twists in the plot, but I don’t believe I should discuss them here.
The Cast
Neo (Keanu Reeves): This movie lifts ... ...like “Bill and Ted”. Keanu hadn’t really played a big action role before this movie, but through this movie he has surely been pushed up into the ranks of action heroes. The character he has to play could have done with an extra boost in acting talent but Keanu manages to pull off the role very well and produces a fine acting performance of a deep and thoughtful character. Keanu is great in the action sequences and it has to be said that this is ...
BanjoBear 30.01.2003 (31.01.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Matrix, The (1999)
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Advantages: The story, the special effects Disadvantages: Perhaps too "cool", not dirty enough.
Larry and Andy Wachowski's THE MATRIX was released in 1999, three years after they wowed the world with their deliciously violent and stylistic BOUND. When similar ecstatic reviews started pouring in for THE MATRIX, one had to wonder whether they were retreading old turf.
The late nineties and Mr. Anderson, a disparaged computer programmer (during the day) and hacker (at night), contemplates a better world than the unmeaningful one he's in, his own personal Orwellian nightmare. When he's contacted by someone called Morpheus, he's told that, actually, his world doesn't exist at all but is in fact a programme, what is in effect a prison, created by The Matrix, a huge sprawling computer in the future, giving people only an impression of a real world in order to use them, to feed of their bodies for energy. Before Mr. Anderson (or Neo ...
Charles_Strickland 06.11.2007 (17.11.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Matrix (DVD)
Advantages: Awesome sound and picture quality Disadvantages: None, none at all
The Matrix was undoubtedly the coolest film of 1999... It is also a film that was made for DVD, the crisper image quality and infinitely better sound that DVD's are capable of make watching the Matrix on DVD far far better than on video.
I don't think it's necessary to describe the film...if you haven't seen it then watch it right now... original, stylish, ground breaking special effects, great soundtrack and ultimately very cool.
The main reason for this article is to highlight the advantages of buying it on DVD as opposed to video...other than what I've already mentioned the DVD is packed with features...icluding an extended version of the making of (longer than on the video) and also a neat little function called Follow the White Rabbit.
By activating this you can watch the film and every time the white rabbit appears you ...
Mercury 02.11.2000 (09.01.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Matrix (DVD)
Advantages: just watch it Disadvantages: none that i have seen
charge of the choreography is possibly the most experienced man there is! Yuen Woo Ping has been in the business for decades and his style is as fresh as it ever was.
Those who follow Hollywood cinema will know him from films such as 'the Matrix'. Those of you who follow Hong Kong cinema will know him for "Snake in the Eagles Shadow" or "Drunken Master" (or 90% of the other classics if we're honest).
Like he did in "Iron Monkey"(1994) and "the Matrix"(1999), Woo Ping uses wire work to great affect in this film. It's maybe not as stylised as the Matrix, but it is no less impressive.
He does succesfully create the affect of people fighting up and down walls and jumping from roof to roof, with only a subtle disregard for physics. So while it is still quite ridiculous is rendered somehow believable by Woo Ping.
I'm not sure how many ...
