GOOD. NOT GREAT.

Rating: 6/10 (15 February 2002)

The Matrix is definitely ONE of the best action films ever made. It surpasses other action classics such as "Mad Max," "Terminator," and "Blade Runner" with flying colors. Yet the film could have been better. For one, the plot isn't that great. Yes, for the average redneck moron from Alabama who drives or wants a truck, loves football, and never reads books, this is a deep, mind-blowing, philosophical journey into the mind. But for anyone in the higher social classes this plot is not original. Many say this is the first time they have heard of any idea so original...what we see is false, and there is another underlying world. For me, the plot seemed simply like a modern, popular culture-injected remake of Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave." Now that is genius. That is original. "Guns. Lots of guns" (A quote by Keanu Reeves from "The Matrix") is not original, it's moronic and ignorant. Again, this is a perfect example of how this film was aimed at morons and teenagers. Its only goal was box office profit. The film was loaded with trench coats, bullets, guns, and a hideous script (at times the dialogue was so bad I felt embarrassed watching it), but used all these elements to no purpose...the film had no significance. Where "The Matrix" failed and a film like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" triumphed was the only thing a movie like "The Matrix" has going for it--action. In Crouching Tiger, the fighting is beautiful, wonderfully choreographed, and visually peaceful. The fighting in the matrix is yes, visually stunning, but only because of special effects. Yes, Crouching Tiger used computers, but succeeded in doing so. It used computers to better the film, to make the fighting look like moving art, not to simply support violence and the NRA simultaneously. I think that the acting in "The Matrix" was as good as possible based on the script, but that isn't saying much. The film is incredible entertainment, but seemed hollow--when it was finished I didn't feel enlightened or like my life had changed, I only felt like I had made good use of $10 and a few hours at the movies. Like I said, I believe that the Matrix was an incredible action film and fabulous entertainment, but that's about it.