Amazing, but could've been better...

Rating: 7/10 (27 April 1999)

Note: this movie is best if you don't already know the plot.
When I first saw The Matrix I expected great things, and *WOW* did I get them. The premise, special effects and mood are all jaw-droppingly clever and well-done. But upon a second viewing I noticed some gaping deficiencies:
* It gets s-l-o-w in the middle. The bad kind of slow.
* Details of how the Matrix works are conspicuously and unfortunately missing.
* The dialog -- although above clichÃ© -- is lackluster.
* Keanu Reeves can't act. I know he tries hard, but when he's not talking or fighting he looks like a stunned bunny.
Overall, The Matrix is entirely worthy of a single viewing under optimum conditions. That means in 70mm wide-screen format, digital sound, THX, and hopefully no pagers, cell phones, crinkly candy wrappers or crying babies.