Special effects make up for poor plot and writing

Rating: Null/10 (20 April 1999)

The digital special effects in this movie are amazing, and nearly make it worthwhile. However, not being one who just "eats up" a movie, I had some problems with this movie's "plot theory" as I like to call it. For instance, does the tactic of fighting the matrix on its own turf really make sense, bearing in mind a horrific physical war in the real world will inevitably have to ensue? Are we to believe that a ship is constantly cruising throughout the sewer system? There are several times when the agents exhibit vast amounts of strength, and deadly sharpshooting skills, but yet they fail in several instances to kill the main characters when at close range. This is propensity is like the T2 in Judgement Day who has the opportunity several times to kill the young Jon Connor at close range, but fails to do so. When Cipher kills the crew one at a time, it seems unbelievable. Hadn't the crew, along with Keanau Reeves, while in training, been yanked out of the virtual world before? What would pulling the plug have done that hadn't already been done to them before?
If the matrix can help one achieve his or her goals, dreams, potential, strengths, etc, and can be mastered, harnessed, and honed, like the force, why can't the characters (or the Agents for that matter) have more superstrength, superspeed, shape shifting capabilities? They seem awfully limited despite being so powerful.
The biggest problem I had with this movie was the ending. In the mind of the theatre goer, nothing has been solved. This sets the film up for a follow up sequel, which I would not pay to see, rather I would wait for the Matrix 2 to appear on video.