Superb Film

Rating: 10/10 (18 August 2005)

There seems to be a concentrated effort to pull this film out of the top 250 ranking list by people rebelling against the success of this film. Time for a little perspective.
*** Possible Spoilers *** The reason this film deserves to be in the top 250 is because it is a strong science fiction film, with very few plot holes; is well cast and acted; has stunning effects, and is beautifully shot and scored. I've seen comments where people slag this film heavily - claiming that machines using people as a power-source is unrealistic, but recommend films like T2 (a good film BTW), or Superman (not-so-good), or Star Wars (varies in rating depending on which episode). I can't understand why someone thinks it's realistic when spaceships break laws of physics by traveling faster than light, or beings from another world who happen to look just like us have X-ray eyes and can fly, or killer-robots from the future travel through time to eliminate a future threat; but machines can't enslave humans to their own purpose. That is simply an attempt to justify an nonobjective view. Does that mean I believe humans could be used as a power source? No - but within the context of the film it works.
Yes, there is a blending of genres and styles within this film. Yes, the philosophical questions that it raises have been raised before. Yes, there is a tie to religious ideology. But THIS particular blending is unique. I will never forget the awe and excitement I felt the first time I saw this film when Neo awoke in his little pod - it made me feel the same way I felt when I was 10 and saw Star Wars for the first time. THAT is the magic of this movie - it allowed me to believe that there was hope for the industry after all.
Final notes: The script is very tight - Plot is well revealed, and the dialogue is natural. The cinematography is superb - probably the most beautifully shot film I've ever witnessed. Every still, every frame is a masterpiece. The special effects are seamless, and do not overwhelm the viewer or shatter the story or plot. The musical score is remarkable, and the seamless blend of the score, the story, and the various industrial/electronica songs meld perfectly together. The acting by all parties was believable - with special kudos to Keanu for underplaying the role; to Lawrence for being the anchor of the tale; to Hugo for being a truly machine-like villain; to Joe for being a believable turncoat with realistic motives; to Carrie-Ann for being a strong female role; and to the departed Gloria for injecting a sense of the surreal with class and humour. Lastly, a huzzah for the Wachowski brothers for putting the whole package together to create one of the finest films ever put to celluloid.
I cannot recommend this film enough.