Special effects extravaganza, but leave your brain at the door

Rating: 5/10 (29 September 1999)

As much as I would like to say The Matrix is movie that I can suggest to all of you, I can't. Now, if you are only into special effect and action sequences that defy all laws of gravity, then disregard everything I am about to say. On the other hand, if you are interested in an good all around film, keep looking. This film wishes it was half as good as the extremely underrated Dark City. This film wishes it were deep, hence all of the not too subtle reference to Alice in Wonderland. This film wishes it had clever writers who did not come off as stealing every mediocre idea from much better sci-fi flicks. Finally, (and most of all) this film wishes that Keanu Reeves could act his way out of a paper bag. Unfortunately, none of these wishes came true and The Matrix is a third-rate sci-fi film with extra-ordinary special effects. It just goes to show that style can not substitute for substance.