An Exciting and Fast Paced Disappointment

Rating: Null/10 (14 April 1999)

How do you make the big bucks at the box office? see The Matrix and you'll find out. The Matrix is the latest blockbuster sci-fi actioneer directed by the promising Wachowski brothers who scored big with 1996's highly suspenseful,well made and original film Bound. But with The Matrix it seems the writer director team of the Wachowski brothers have sold out as here is a film with all the drawcards of your typical blockbusters e.g. a big name star,state of the art special effects and enough audience manipulation to make James Cameron proud.
From the outset this film draws obvious comparisons to Alex Proyas's Dark City as both films offer similar premises and both films have dark and scary looking worlds.
This film is all just a clever excuse for the film makers to make the most of their whopping budget by use of high tech whizz bangery and revolutionary special effects. The reason I say this as after this "fake world" plot is established the film forgets concentrating on a complex story and instead sticks closely to action movie clichés including an ending suitable for an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, not that I have any dislike for his films but when you have started such a promising story as The Matrix did it seems a disappointment to fall back on tired old formula straight from the pages of an action movie script.
The Matrix however cannot be denied its ability to entertain and dazzle as with its action scenes and remarkable special effects as these are first rate. The action scenes are all super charged and fun but one must feel that though the action is good it is inappropriate and though the special effects are good they are not used for strictly storytelling moments. For top use of special effects for storytelling check out Dark City.
Another criticism I have of this film are its incredibly bland and lifeless performances. The star Keanu Reeves goes from hammy to just plain dull and his supporting cast also struggle to overcome the silliness of the production as flat and unappealing performances are dished up by everyone.
But in all, The Matrix, though an extremely flawed film, is perfect for undemanding and unseasoned movie goers as this fast paced mindless tripe with it's cliché riddled plot will light up the box offices as there is jaw dropping action and great special effects and at the end of the day that's what your average Joe Bloggs pays to see.
2.5/5