The best martial arts movie in the past year.

Rating: Null/10 (13 April 1999)

Forget "Rush Hour", a film that exploited the lovable talents of Jackie Chan to promote the unforgivably irritating Chris Tucker. Don't even look at "Lethal Weapon 4", which could have been the death Knell for the wonderful Jet Li's career had it not done so well in the box office. THE Martial Arts mobie to see in 1999 (besides the upcoming "PHANTOM MENACE") is "The Matrix." Kudos once again to action choreography master Yuen Woo Ping (who worked with Jet Li in "ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA", A MASTERPIECE). Mr Yuen weaves a tapestry of white hot intensity as in all of his Hong Kong efforts. Nobody in the Matrix merely punches or kicks; Under Mr Yuen's direction, the cast dodges, flips, run up walls, evade, block, leap and deliver shattering multiple blows, all with consideration to the surrounding architecture. Mr Yuen's work is further enhanced by the seamlessly integrated computer imagery which made the confrontations of the heroes (and villains) into nothing short of a superhuman clash of titans. Don't work with Van Damn, Mr Yuen!! Work with Jet in Star Wars II. Keep up the good work!!