Good thrills, but the Wachowskis can do better.

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2000)

This isn't one of the greatest Si-Fi movies ever made, but it was the best one of '99. The story takes so many turns that it's easy to enjoy and think about. However, it saddens me when the obligatory violent scene is the scene the audience appears to like most. The scene, for me, didn't need to be there, as it goes against the characters' morality.
Overall, it's good for a few thrills, but there's nothing in it that other movies haven't done better. If you liked the violence and anarchic ideas in the Matrix, see Fight Club. If you liked the mysterious world and gradually revealing plotline, see Dark City. If you liked the films overall style, see Bound (The Wachowski Brothers' first movie). Each one of those films serves it's particular purpose much more effectively than The Matrix. The Matrix does combine the three elements in a cohesive way, and does produce one heck of a thrill, so it offers something few other movies can give. See it, and, if you like it, see the other ones I've mentioned, you'll find they have a lot to offer as well. My rating: 8/10