A Visual Feast, with substance

Rating: 10/10 (23 January 2005)

What is the Matrix? It's a computer program created by the machines that now control our world, used a means to control our minds while we are used as batteries.
In the wake of a war between mankind and machines, most humans now live in this computer generated world, and for the few that don't, life is pretty hard, living in the squalid remains of our planet.
Keanu Reeves (Neo) a computer hacker is trapped within the Matrix, but he has a dream of something more. Growing suspicion of his surroundings and a belief that his life isn't quite right leads him to the truth, where he is rescued by a handful of freedom fighters lead by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne)
Does this seem a little mad? It does to me, but the fact remains that throughout our history millions have fought and died for the idea of freedom, so i guess this is human nature to try and attain freedom, regardless of the consequences that may ensue.
Once free from the Matrix, Neo is told that he is the one (a little cheesy), he is the one man that can beat the machines, because he can bend the rules of the Matrix and become more powerful than the programs (agents) who control it, they are governed by rules and he isn't (now there's a nice trade off, for living in squalor. If you get bored, just plug in and kick some ass, sounds cool) Using groundbreaking special effects techniques the Matrix takes us to the next level, techniques that we now take for granted and see every day, were born right here.
As Neo struggles to believe he is the one, the team continue to pitch battle against the machines in style, as they enter the matrix and fight to bring it down and rise up against mankind's captures.
This movie really is cool, the cast is strong, in particular Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss, the script is pretty slick and the idea is good enough to get us thinking (at very least it acts as a vehicle to carry the visual feast that is The Matrix) For its originality, groundbreaking effects and sheer enjoyment i give it 10/10, even though it does have some tiny flaws.