Four out of Ten

Rating: 3/10 (2 March 2001)

I used to think that this was a very innovative movie and is one of the best I've seen. After a few more repeat viewings, I changed my mind. Sure enough, the special effects are one of the best ever seen in film history so far but what at first seems like a brilliant plot became tiresome and unbelievable after further analysis.
Keanu Reeves also shows us how bad acting can affect an otherwise above average movie. Keanu is just lifeless and seemed to look clueless as his character Neo. He makes Neo look like an idiot that is just plain lucky. Even a great supporting cast led by Larry Fishburne, Joe Pantoliano and newcomer Carrie Ann Moss can't redeem Keanu's performance in this movie.
The plot, that of a conspiracy of machines and computers, seems impressive at first because it makes you say to yourself, "Why didn't I think of that?". But when you figure out *(NOW THIS IS A SPOILER!)* that you have thought of this world created by machines in our mind before, this movie will be as horrible for you as it was for me at my 4th viewing. The visual effects can be irritating to the eyes at times but is without a doubt beautiful.