"Revolution" for the sci-fi format.

Rating: 7/10 (11 March 2004)

The continuing popularity of the original Matrix film hinges on the fact that this movie is quite unlike any other science fiction feature ever produced. The idea of a computer-simulated world in which we all live has fascinated audiences for the past five years, many of which still maintain that it outshines last year's sequels.
This film has many pluses, firstly, it is very rewatchable. On your first viewing you will get a good idea of what the Matrix is all about but unless you are particularly sharp you are unlikely to take in all the minor details about the concept of the Matrix, this is not a bad thing and does not ruin your enjoyment of the film, on a second viewing though you may notice these details which you will understand better having seen it once already. secondly, it is very sophisticated on the graphics side, techniques such as "bullet time" make it visually stunning in places. On the acting side, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss play their action sequences 'with a difference' well, Laurence Fishburne makes a suitable wise veteran of the team - Morpheus, and Hugo Weaving is impressive in the role of the Agent Smith.
However it does have a few less impressive points, at the end of the film Neo still seems to look very much the rookie in the team even after his heroics, this is probably down to too much of the film's time being spent on Morpheus teaching the hapless Neo how to fight and jump across buildings, and Neo only really discovers his power a few minutes from the end after waking from the dead and immediately defeating Smith, which is probably a little disappointing from the audience's point of view because it would have been brilliant to have seen more of Neo in action.
To conclude, the idea behind this film is groundbreaking but there were a number of missed opportunities for expanding on the content, (particularly action sequences). However it does make you desperate to see the sequels!
7/10