Bill & Ted's Terrifying Future

Rating: 9/10 (15 May 1999)

Okay, most movies with Keanu have to provide a limited acting spectrum for the guy, from the Bill and Ted light brain to the edge of enlightenment in Little Bhudda. This movie set him up just right, and used that presence that always comes across as "Uh, gee, could someone tell me what's going on around here?", and made it work in a big way!
The Matrix made it's next perfect move by coming out BEFORE the Star Wars prequel, which according to some friends who saw the sneak peak, isn't all that wonderful. No matter how good or bad SWs is, The Matrix would've lost a lot of steam following it and The Mummy. As it is, now, I'm fully willing to go to the theater and take advantage of the long lines piling up behind those two theaters in order to squeeze through and put my bucks into seeing The Matrix a second time, something I haven't done since '77 for the original Star Wars film.
If you've not seen it, DO IT! The Matrix is the perfect Sci-Fi/Dream-Reality movie. It's what almost any Movie or Sci-Fi fan would put together if they had the money, the time, and knew an actor who's strongest point will always be looking totally lost, even if he's read the script and should know what's happening ;-)