What is the matrix? Can Keanu get back into the spotlight after all these dodgy films he's made? Will everyone laugh when he says, "whooah!"
Keanu is Thomas Anderson, a software programmer by day and a computer hacker by night. One night he receives a message on his home computer . But its not like any normal email. The message tells him to follow a white rabbit, but before he can figure out what it means there's a knock at the door. Its one of his customers after some kind of hacking software. The customer and his little gang of friends invite him to a local nightclub. Thomas declines but when he spots a tattoo of a white rabbit on one of the girls, he changes his mind.
At the nightclub a woman approaches Thomas and introduces herself as Trinity. Thomas recognizes the name as an alias that is used by one of the best hackers around and is also surprised that Trinity is a she. Trinity knows why Thomas has come to the club. He wants to know what the matrix is and she can help answer his questions. She says that they will contact him later.
The next day at work after being reprimanded by his boss for being late, Thomas is sitting at his computer terminal when a package arrives for him. Its a mobile phone and as soon as he touches it, it starts to ring. He answers and a voice that introduces himself as Morpheus is on the other end. Morpheus explains
that he'd like to have a formal meeting but unfortunately this is not possible as he is out of time. Morpheus explains to Thomas that he must leave the building now using his instructions as people are coming for him as he speaks. Peeking over the top of his cubicle, Thomas can see a group of men in black suits and shades making their way towards him. Morpheus provides instructions on how to escape the building avoiding the men in suits. Unfortunately this involves climbing out onto on a window ledge on the office block. Thomas can't do it and gives in to the men in suits.
The men in suits seem to know all about Thomas including his nocturnal computer hacking habits. They make him an offer. If he helps them catch Morpheus, who they say is a known terrorist, they will wipe his "slate" clean and let him carry on with his life. Thomas refuses and they gag him (wait until you see how - very eerie) and then drop this small cybernetic insect onto him which burrows its way through Thomas's navel.
Thomas awakes at home with a start and figures that it must have been all a dream. Then the mobile phone rings and Morpheus sets up a meeting with Thomas. Morpheus explains that the matrix is the world that is all around you. Its the virtual existence that hides the real world. Morpheus asks Thomas if he wants to see the real world. Thomas agrees and they walk into a room that houses a lot of electronic equipment. Thomas is about to see the real world.
This is the first film I've seen that is directed by the Wachowski brothers and what a damn fine film it is. Its so far one of the most memorable films of this year and it deserves to be. Its an intelligent, science fiction film and those are few and far between. To be completely honest it did take me two viewings to appreciate the movie though. The first time I felt a little disappointed at the end because the movies trailer had already shown me the best special effects scenes in the movie. But don't worry there are still some surprises left.
Everyone puts on fine performances here, especially Fishburne who I though was very good. Keanu does a good job two and makes for a good action star. His performance here is better than his earlier efforts such as "Speed", where I thought he wasn't quite believable. Especially at the end where he makes that awful one line joke that's not even funny, "Yeah? Well I'm taller than you!".
Carrie-Ann Moss is a newcomer here and her performance is up there with the big names in this movie. She plays a strong, tough role and it makes a change. Usually we get lumbered with female roles that are weak and end up having to be rescued by the hero all of the time.
The action sequences in this film are definitely the high points if the film. And because the nature of the story, they usually have a science fiction twist to them. There is excellent use of the slow motion and freeze and rotate effect. This is when a point in time is frozen and then the camera rotates to a new angle and then the action continues. Its used three of four times and makes for excellent shots. Towards the end, some of the fights are done in the traditional martial arts styles, but again they have been slightly jazzed up to make for better entertainment. The very last fight especially which is very entertaining and funny due to the nature of the situation.
There futuristic world is realised with the use of CGI and consists mostly of Morpheus submarine and the AI droids that are programmed to search and destroy. While these sequences are very good, I felt that they didn't match the live action gunfights which were brilliant.
I recommend that you go and see this film now while you can and if you enjoy it, then look forward to the Warner Brothers Special Edition DVD later this year as well. There are rumours of sequels to this movie, maybe telling the stories of other resistance fighters and how they are dealing with the matrix. That's the only low point of the film. The story tells the story of the turning point for the resistance and you and you leave the cinema wanting to know what happens next. But apart from that I can't fault it.
And yes, on both showings everyone laughed when Keanu stands there in wonderment and says, "Wooah!"
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Action/Adventure - Director: The Wachowski Brothers - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Monica Bellucci, Jada Pinkett
Action/Adventure - Director: Peter Jackson - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Superb movie like this should get a superb review, and u just did that! but, do you think
u're the one? i believe I am! ha3x.. anyway, i also wrote something about this brilliant sci-fi
a long time ago.. but, are u sure there'll be a special edition dvd? i thought this one
is brilliant enuff, so a special edition one would really be welcome! cheers :)
MichelleScott 25.01.2001 10:30
Great review. I tried to watch the Matrix over Christmas but couldn't get into it. I may give it a second chance after reading this.
LostWitness 25.01.2001 10:28
I particularly enjoyed the movie because I thought it was original and very stylish.
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 Lau...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
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...
Advantages: New re-relase with all new documentary making this a must buy DVD. Disadvantages: Some may find the film a little slow to get going but not me.
assistant_14 03.02.2002 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Matrix (DVD)
Advantages: Good film, plenty of action, some amazing special effects. Disadvantages: No quality extras, some poor special effects, feels like a money grabbing exercise.
Advantages: Eye-popping visuals, much more smoother plot, and one of the best car chases I've ever seen Disadvantages: Some people may think its more recycled than reloaded
eve6kicksass 19.10.2003 (19.10.2003)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Matrix Reloaded (DVD)
very helpful by (100%):
