An Awful, Awful Movie

Rating: 3/10 (9 January 2003)

This is one of those movies who relies on two-thirds special F/X, mixed with one-third references to classical literature and Judeo-Christian mythology, with near zero coherence. Unfortunately, this is almost always nearly enough to dupe the public, which is by and large amazingly stupid and take any sprinkling of metaphysical rumination as the work of a genius, as long as it has enough explosions and ickiness mixed in. The Matrix stars Keanu Reeves as a Block of Wood, or the other way around, being equally valid. Keanu Reeves, as Neo, or Jesus Christ, Techno-Savior, with Trinity, Mary aka "the Virgin"/Mary Magdalene aka "the whore." (Maybe someone had a bit of Freud going on, mother is the saint, but also the whore? Same first name, you notice.) Also, the Holy Black Man, Morpheus, who may or may not represent God or the Holy Ghost, and a generic Judas, who seeks wealth/power through the destruction of Keanu/Christ. So basically, all that has been done is take the amendment to the Bible (the New and Improved Testament), slap on a lacquer of nihilism, technology, and explosions, no acting ability from the majority of the cast, a handful of plot holes, a reference to "Alice in Wonderland," and you have "The Matrix," the movie that succeeded mainly because it's on the same level as the general public, which is pretty sad. However, there is a positive side to this entire SFX debacle. Hugu Weaving, who just somehow manages to be so sexy and cool, especially in his outfit.