Stylish, well done, intellectual, post-modern - even Keanu can't sink this one!

Rating: 10/10 (21 May 1999)

This movie takes the "intelligent action-thriller" genre started by _Face Off_ to a new level... For people who enjoy philosophical speculation and exploration of deep concepts, this movie is sure to satisfy. Although some complain that there are many derivative ideas in the film, you have to remember that "Mediocre artists borrow. Great artists steal." In stealing some of the best ideas in philosophy and filmmaking from the past 20+ years (the visual references are Simpsons-esque in their ubiquity ;-) , the Wachowski brothers have given concepts that are usually relegated to incomprehensible "art films" mainstream appeal, and they do it with a great sense of style. Kudos.
If you enjoy Sci-Fi or Action movies, _The Matrix_ will not disappoint; similarly, if you enjoy metaphysical mental explorations (and are quick enough to appreciate them in a movie context), _The Matrix_ will also push your buttons. Basically, anyone with a slow mental clock speed need not apply - brainiac adrenalin-junkies, this one's for you!
Although this movie *has* taken my #1 spot for best movie of all time (from _Apocalypse Now_), there are a few downsides:
Keanu (or as my Brit friend pronounces it, Canoe - as in a hollowed-out chunk of wood) utilizes his natural ability to look clueless perfectly through most of the movie, then doesn't blow it when he has to seem like he knows what he's doing. He's OK, but his romantic chemistry in the film leaves much to be desired.
There are also several supporting characters who are not really given a chance to develop quite thoroughly, although I think the film strikes a good balance due to the limitations of the cinema format (can't be too long - try seeing _Dances With Wolves_ more than once!). In addition, I believe _The Matrix_ was supposed to be the center part of a trilogy, so perhaps more exposition will be forthcoming.
Lastly, those of us who have thought about some of the ideas explored in _The Matrix_ may find that the movie doesn't go *far enough* - there are so many more great questions that could have been posed, but again, you can't try and overload a movie, so by and large, all complaints I could have with the movie are minor.
Bottom line: WHOA! Go see it!