Spectacular, surprising sci-fi action with a dark edge...

Rating: 9/10 (5 April 1999)

Very few contemporary science fiction movies truly capture my imagination anymore. One too many Starship Troopers and Aliens 19 ("Momma Gets Menopause") paste-together computer graphics extravaganzas have been shoved down my throat for me to readily suspend disbelief and, for a short ninety minutes, "witness the future". The Matrix has renewed my faith in a genre that seemed to be, at best, treading water waiting for Master Lucas to save the decade.
To begin, the action --as you probably would expect from the previews-- is steely, breakneck, and plausible (given the premise of The Matrix... which I won't give away!). What makes it all the more enjoyable is seeing the actors handling the high-kicking, twirling, leaping duties themselves --a lot of individual work and dedication has gone into this movie. And here I though Keanu Reeves was only barely agile enough to surf (see Point Break)....
Next, the special effects were... well, special. I don't think it will be a major spoiler to tell you that the freeze-frame panning effect made famous by a certain chinos ad is put to good --but not gratuitous-- use. When the time comes to break out the Silicon Graphics workstations' goodies, they are seamlessly integrated into the plot rather than thrust before us as if to apologize for the steep ticket prices in today's theaters.
Ah, but then comes the good stuff: the Matrix itself. The plot's core premise HAS been done before, but not, in my recollection, to such striking effect and with such clever evasiveness during the build-up to disclosure. I am an old-school sci-fi buff; I thought, smugly, that I knew what was going on after the first thirty minutes... perhaps the greatest delight of The Matrix was my being proved wrong! I will come as close to a spoiler as I can by saying "cyberpunk" was NEVER so dark as this story!
In closing, The Matrix is a well-crafted, gripping story starring two easily-disregarded principles who go far to prove that "they're not just for breakfast anymore". It comes alive through stunning visuals, a surprising premise, and a fast-paced ride to its conclusion. The only thing driving me to give it a 9 instead of a 10 is that NO ONE should be called "The Chosen One" in anymore movies, stories, novellas, epic poems, religious tracts, or political pamphlets! Ever again! PLEASE!
The Mad Czar Fnord