An attention-grabbing film which successfully weaves gunplay, martial arts, and explosions together with a screenplay possessing both excellent dialogue and deep symbolism, all thrown together with a fine ca

Rating: 10/10 (21 February 2001)

Looking for an action movie with white-knuckle gunplay? How about a movie with absolutely beautifully choreographed martial arts? Or maybe one which is set in a future of unimaginable decay? Or even a movie which contains deep symbolic subtexts?
There is only one movie which possesses all of these qualities, and that movie is "The Matrix." Think of it as a feast for the eyes, ears, and mind.
From out of almost nowhere, this movie debuted in theaters. There were TV ads, a few magazine ads here and there, but for the most part, there was no anticipation. None, of course, until critics began publishing reviews one week before the movie came out. All of its finer qualities made it the surprise smash of Spring 1999.
On the action movie level, you have Keanu Reeves as Thomas "Neo" Anderson, a computer software engineer who finds out he is the savior of the world, and the only things in his way are The Agents (led by Hugo Weaving). Of course, the Agents are basically invincible, almost all-knowing entities, and the number of rounds expended as Neo and his freedom fighters battle probably reaches up into the ten thousands.
On the martial arts level, Woo-ping Yuen, veteran of the Hong Kong martial arts movies and highly acclaimed fight choreographer, keeps you on the edge of your seat as Neo, Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne), et al. battle unarmed with the Agents and their underlings. All of this is helped along by superb wire effects, which allow the actors to perform complex aerial maneuvers which defy the laws of gravity.
The plot is one thing which shouldn't be revealed prematurely, there are myriad surprises which must be viewed rather than spoiled.
And finally, the religious and symbolic subtexts, the references to Christianity and Buddism, all of that provides your mind something to think about while your eyes are enjoying the candy.
The Matrix is a movie to be seen over and over again, preferably, on a large-screen TV, with a booming audio system hooked to a DVD player, and with no distractions whatsoever.
If you haven't seen it, see it. That fact cannot be emphasized enough.