The real "Phantom Menace" killer

Rating: Null/10 (5 July 2000)

"The Matrix" is definitely a film of epic proportions. With
great, eye-popping special effects, splendidly cheographed gun
fights that would make John Woo blush, and larger-than-life
performances by the stars. When this movie first came out in mid
'99, "Star Wars: the Phantom Menace" was still wowing many
movie-goers. But "The Matrix" gave viewers a whole new ride, one
that made "Star Wars" look pitifully weak, and well.... DEAD!
Keanu Reeves is Thomas Anderson, AKA Neo, a mild-mannered
businessman/computer hacker, who is given the shock of his life
when he discovers that he is chosen by an elite team of
physically and mentally enhanced individuals, led by a
mysterious guru named Morpheus (played by the mystifying
Laurence Fishburne). This team shows Neo the world of the
Matrix, which is basically the real world, which our world is
basically false. Everything in the real world is in shambles
because of the fact that machines have taken order. Neo
reluctantly agrees to take part in rebelling against the
machines, battling against the agents, evil folks who mastered
the Matrix's powers who despise the rebels.
Other than the fact that the effects in this movie are dynamic,
the inspirations and philosophy behind "The Matrix" is also
compelling. This movie had borrowed many ideas and concepts from
other movies, such as "Star Wars" (the idea of using an inner
force within), "The Terminator" (the idea of man against
machine), "Fight Club" (breaking away from society), and "Men in
Black" (the wearing of Rayban sunglasses and the idea of joining
an elite cult and not going back to regular life).
"The Matrix" is most probably the kind of movie that will become
a true landmark in the history of cinema; the kind that will be
a major influence to many other films to come, as did "Star
Wars" and "The Terminator." This movie practically won many
Oscar awards for effects and sound, I'm pretty surprised it
didn't win anything for performances. And what did "The Phantom
Menace" win? Practically nothing! Sorry, Mr. Lucas, sometimes
the competition can be EXTREMELY powerfull! "