Very good - not excellent. Just a question of originality.

Rating: 9/10 (6 September 1999)

I saw "The Matrix" a few days ago. The film is quite good and received much attention (and publicity) as it promised stunning special effects around a sophisticated and compelling plot.
Well, the effects were as expected for a contemporary, expensive sci-fi adventure. My only objection are the monitors that presumably display the undecoded "Matrix", it is quite a disgrace for those who know a little about computers (a hint : about how much data do you suppose a text screen can contain? Enough to describe a virtual world or even small portions of it?)
As for the plot, it is based on the idea of people being enslaved in a constructed world by an other race, without being able to realize it, until there comes "the chosen one", a human who learns the truth and eventually discovers and puts into use powers and abilities that exceed those of the "dominant" race. This all sounds interesting enough, but the basic problem is that the above exact lines of text can be used to describe another movie. This movie is "Dark City" by the creator of "The Crow". If "Dark City" was written prior to "The Matrix", then the later lacks originality. The new elements in "The Matrix" scenario make it seem more complex and more hi-tech, so as to appeal to the audience. The scenario is also more pessimistic, which is the easier way to "move" the viewer, in contrast, "Dark City" achieves the same (or more) just by its dark and gloomy ambiance. So, both movies present a human nightmare, with "The Matrix" being the more colorful one. The more complex scenario, which features more technological concepts, such as Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality therefore drawing more hi-tech addicted audience, bears one major weakness : an abrupt and unfulfilling ending. The plot arrives to a point where it simply cannot continue, as the hero becomes almost a "god" but ONLY for the virtual world. A scent of victory is the ending, but we immediately realize that it is virtual (not actual) too.
There is a lot of action in this movie. It's a pity the director used too much of the old-fashioned "slow motion" technique in most of the fight scenes, which holds back the fast action; in a few scenes the technique was essential, but in others it was just "easier". The sound is excellent and I can say the same for the soundtrack. Keanou Reeves performed his best (along with "Devils Advocate") and the rest of the cast does very well in delivering a stylish (remember "Men In Black") and very entertaining film.
So, go watch this film, but first watch it's darker flip-side by Alex Proyas : "Dark City". As for me, I enjoyed the film, but I believe it was not worth such a high place in IMDb's top 250. If the plot was conceived before "Dark City", then I would rate the movie a 9/10. Otherwise, a 7-8/10 would me more appropriate.