Your Mind is all in Reality is all in your Mind.

Rating: 9/10 (20 March 2000)

Science fiction movies have taken their next great step forwards.
It's just as much a horror movie as it is science fiction... but it's horror that's much different from the usual hack 'n slash.
Great performances, great script, great plot. From the moment the movie begins until the very end, you're going to wonder what is real and what is not... which is the whole intent.
The visual effects are stunning, and while the plot is nothing original, "The Matrix" takes it to the next level. If you didn't see it in the theater then the video isn't going to do it complete justice - I'd advise you to see it on DVD if possible, on widescreen tape if not... you'll want to get the full effect.
Considering the plot and the theme of the movie, it's pure poetry that one of the groups on the soundtrack is Rage Against The Machine (they also did a song for "The Crow")... and the rest of the soundtrack is just as good. (Okay, if your usual tastes are The Carpenters or Beethoven then you probably won't be interested in the soundtrack)
Wonderful performances by everyone involved, especially Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. The cast blends well, and they're all believeable.
*************** SPOILER WARNING *************** *************************************************
The only thing that would have made this 100% freaky instead of just 99% would be if, at the end on the ship, Neo had reached up and unplugged himself from the Matrix.
Once you realize that as the Matrix is all in your mind, then you realize that anything at all is possible... 'regular' people will be able to morph just as the Sentinels do, (I presume the name "Sentinel" is a nod towards the X-Men... one 'future history' of that comic has people enslaved in camps, with giant robot Sentinels tracking down and taking out any rebels) and that nothing is impossible - being able to fly is merely one way that reality has no hold.
One thing that bothered me slightly is the fact that the Sentinel program calling itself "Agent Smith" showed emotion... that's a glandular response not possible in a program. On the other hand, emotional reactions can be programmed in... anything can be.
What is reality? Whatever you want it to be. Read through the Trivia section for this movie and you'll see a whole bunch of Christian references, with "The One" as Jesus Christ, the Savior. You could also say that when Neo realizes what it all is, that he has acheived a state of nirvana, and is "one with everything" (hold the onions)... at that point, he *is* the Matrix, and the Matrix is him.
Enough philosophy. You either enjoyed this movie or you didn't - and if you did enjoy it, you probably think it's one of the best around... because this movie has power. It doesn't force anything down your throat, but lets you discover it for yourself - and you'll probably enjoy that immensely.