Excellent on (almost) all points

Rating: 10/10 (15 September 2000)

One of the most intriguing movies of the past few years, both visually and thematically. This one had me recalling scenes and what ifs for days, which not many films do.
I've been a fan of Fishburne's ever since I noticed his top notch performance in Boyz N the Hood (1991). Here he is once again in excellent form. Moss gives a startling performance of her own, while stepping back in favor of Fishburne here and there. With all she does, she could have easily passed for the ONE herself, but the script obviously intended otherwise. Most of the rest of the inner-spaceship's crew get developed just enough for you to be surprised at who ultimately makes it and who doesn't. Reeves is credible in his part whether it be in his knowledge or belief of the Matrix or in his relation and untrust of the rebels. Even his playing with the Matrix comes across nicely and - surprise - fittingly. The bad guys are like a hibred of the Johnsons from the original Die Hard, the boys from MIB and a bit of Max Headroom - hilarious!
The camerawork, CGIs and SFX are excellently done and choreographed and the plot with its different - at times almost confusing - levels is very well brought across with just the right mix of fast-paced action and time left to explain and reflect upon the new and disturbing developments.
Is reality real? Is it imagination? Is imagination preferable to reality? Where do we practise escapism in real life? What is real life? Is it all a matter of character? Of rebellious nature? Who are we rebelling against? Is the enemy inside?
This film poses highly philosophic/religious questions on end and makes Reeves out to be the - at first reluctant - saviour of humankind while leaving a lot of other questions unanswered. While that answer of 'self-confidence will get you anywhere' definitely doesn't go conform with biblical content (Neo/the One is an obviously intended parallel to the One promised saviour of the Bible - Jesus Christ) Matrix remains nonetheless an excellent high-end Hollywood production worthy of all the laurels it has already received for being just that.
BTW: I cannot for the life of me imagine what Matrix 2 and 3 are going to be about. I considered the book closed with that spectacular ending...