an sci-fi action classic

Rating: 10/10 (29 November 2005)

Thomas Anderson; or Neo, is a computer hacker. Currently he is looking for a man called Morpheus. One night he is contacted by a woman called trinity, telling him everything he knew about his existence is about to change. Soon the man Neo was looking for finds him. He brings upon Neo a startling revelation about the existence of all humans. The artificial intelligence created by man have enslaved the human race; using us as a form of power source. To keep us alive they have built a computer generated reality call the matrix. There are rebels of the matrix, people who try to release as many people they can, to tell them the truth that they have been living in a dream world. Inside the matrix are deadly, super fast sentinels call agents, that stop at nothing to stop the rebels and their cause.
The Matrix is a mind blowing, sci-fi action extravaganza that has become an instant classic. The Wachowski brothers have created a wonderfully detailed world that does have much to say about modern life and the dependence of technology. They have made a future that in a sense can be very close to us and holds a startling truth that in essence could happen. They have put a lot of philosophy into the story, giving it a lot of depth and detail so you can pick new information over many watches.
The special effect are nothing short of amazing. They haven't lost any of their impact over the years. The fight scenes are the best fights in any movie to date. They're fast, high energy and have been influenced by many martial art films, but they do have been given that western feel; having that rigid style than being really gracefully. The slow motion and camera work they made just exploded the rules of fight sequences and created a revelation in cinema. Not long after nearly every action film was copying The Matrix, but they never came close to The Matrix. The lobby shoot out is just a visually amazing sight, with all the debris flying everywhere, and the fight between Neo and Agent Smith is so intense and brutal. The green wash of the matrix adds a sense of alienation; being a non-reality. The blue and white colours of the real world add a haunted ghost feel of the dead earth.
Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne all give great performances. All exerting strength in their character yet giving them emotional depth too, making them multi-dimensional, instead of flat 2-D characters that you can't link yourself to. Hugo Weaving gave a brilliant performance as the menacing Agent Smith. He suited the role perfectly, not over doing the tough persona. Joe Pantoliano also gave a great performance as Cypher.
The Matrix has raised the standard of action films so high that it will be a long time before any other film can jump over it. A classic film that must been seen.