The Deadly Assassin

Rating: 7/10 (3 July 1999)

In 1976 the English tv series "Doctor Who" featured a collective of unconscious thought as part of a computerised reality called "The Matrix" in a story called "The Deadly Assassin". I just thought I'd mention it. Because that, like the BLATANT product placement for Nokia (including the slow-motion falling mobile phone)is one of the detracting elements from the movie. But, of course, the biggest detraction is, ironically, the praise. For, when you're about to watch a movie that has five-star reviews in every publication, and has entered the IMDb top 20, then actually seeing it is bound to be an anti-climax. Even Citizen Kane didn't grab me the first time round due to this effect. Yet having said all that, The Matrix IS a good movie - I gave it seven out of ten. Maybe I'm weird, but the film contained no concept or twist that I haven't already thought of, no surprise twist, nothing I didn't expect. Why do all Hollywood films need to contain at least one scene where characters do a "humourous" double-take? Lastly, the moral at the end was forcing it down the viewer's throat and a slight to the intelligence, but these were the only truly jarring points. The characters were refreshing three, or at least two-dimensional, with only a couple of the cast there as the "destined to be cannon fodder" variety. Direction and lighting is excellent throughout, if a little showy, and the structure is maintained well. For a film that is roughly one hour exposition, one hour pure action, it holds together very well. But does this really deserve to dent the top twenty when Twelve Monkeys is (at date of writing) outside the top 250?