There is no spoon...

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2000)

"The Matrix" came out on the worst of times: just weeks before the most anticipated sci-fi film of all time was to come out: "The Phantom Menace".
Well the menace was definitely "a phantom", so to speak. And while hordes of gullible fans talked about how great Lucas' latest space opera was, many more had discovered what they feared the most: that Matrix was everything "Phantom" should have been, and then more.
The film has so many high points is difficult to start. The visual effects are simply stunning; there is no eye candy, ala Star Wars I; every single one is used as a way to get you deeper into the movie. The "Bullet time" technique is used throughout the picture, and it makes it seem as slick as the best piece of japanimation out there. The storyline is perfectly written: it manages to convince you that somehow it could all be possible. Neo/Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) tells the whole story with his facial expressions of disbelief on the first 3/4 of the film, and then with self assurance. The rest of the cast makes you actually care for their fate (specially Carrie-Ann Moss and Lawrence Fishborne). And before the first half of the movie is over, you will hate the bad guys. Believe me.
I, as incredible as it might seem, am not waiting for "Matrix 2". The first installment is so good I fear they won't be able to live up to its reputation (again, like Lucas did with "Phantom Menace"). Still, I am crossing my fingers and hoping I will be surprised and mesmerized. Again.