Sheer masterpiece! And it's not about the future

Rating: 10/10 (18 October 2005)

This is one of the best films ever! Why? Just watch it. I won't discuss the concept, which is simply brilliant, nor the photography, which is astonishing. Special effects? Come on... Acting? Dialog? Script? Editing? Directing? How could I? Even now, when I remembered the film, I remain almost speechless. "The Matrix" is a landmark in the history of cinema, and more. Many scenes are so fascinating that anyone's hair would stand on its end while watching, and for many reasons, visual or spiritual.
Because this film is not just a film, but an art work that transforms you, it gives you a deeper perspective on life and yourself. So, it is really great art, at a level reached by surprisingly few movies. OK, it has its Buddhist themes. So what? Isn't it all about truth, freedom and the individual? Are these not fundamental questions for anyone? Isn't the perspective of this movie on them tremendous and extremely touching? And the ending... Wow... A rare, powerful and effective way to end a great film. The fight will go on and on (compare Neo's approach to the Stalker's in Tarkowsky's masterpiece). Because the story is not just a sci-fi about some bleak future, it's a parable (like any good sci-fi) about the very present day, about what is real now, and how free are you now.
P. S. The sequels are disappointing and mere lame action sci-fi thrillers. Too bad. No more real spiritual concepts, but over-complicated plots and inconsistent new characters. Never mind, let's forgive the Wachowskys for wanting some extra cash, since they have given the world this masterpiece in the first part of the trilogy!