Good action-packed fun.

Rating: 8/10 (11 April 1999)

The Matrix is essentially a revised version of Dark City, with the noirish elements replaced by cyberpunk elements and the brooding suspense replaced by furious action. And, of course, with Kiefer Sutherland's overacting replaced by Keanu Reeves' underacting.
The actors do solid jobs, but the film's real strength lies not with its (cardboard) characters, its (silly) plot, or its (derivative) ideas, but with its exceptionally well-executed action sequences, nicely enhanced by some impressive but not overdone special effects. It's not a movie to make you think, but if you're in the mood for some good, exciting action, The Matrix ought not to disappoint you. Turn off the cerebrum and rev up that adrenal cortex, and you'll do fine.