Zeitgeist-defining, and yet timeless...not bad for a mere action movie!

Rating: 9/10 (7 March 2015)

The sentiment of The Matrix, the chief paranoia dominating its message, is one as old as the hills: that reality is not what it seems.
Its execution, that AI has taken over and created a virtual reality for us, is a very modern fear, and one perhaps growing ever more realistic as the decades go by.
...or maybe we are already in one?
*cue dramatic chipmunk clip*
Aside from this epic premise, and the profound questions it asks, we still get a riproaring action sci-fi with two brilliant characters (Morpheus and Agent Smith), pulsating set-pieces, nice martial art moves, excellent effects and solid pacing.
Keanu Reeves' unavoidable blandness (and that of his love interest) aren't really detrimental. The philosophical musing surrounding his place in the universe is tantalising and its further development was ostensibly intended for the sequels (alas...we all know how that turned out).
As a standalone action film with intelligent ideas, it's utterly recommended. Watch the sequels too if you're curious, but the quality drops off somewhat (more focus on the action, less on the 'intelligent').