"After this, there is no turning back..."

Rating: 4/10 (4 March 2009)

Glorified martial arts movie masquerading as a science-fiction thriller, this blockbuster hit struck a nerve with the public, though it isn't as brainy (or as deep) as one might be led to believe. Keanu Reeves is typically one-note as a computer-hacking loner who finds his life may not be reality--and that an alternate reality introduced to him by guru Laurence Fishburne could destroy him. Written and directed by the Wachowski brothers, who seem to enjoy a twisting story--though at the expense of logic (forget credibility). A more engaging leading man might have made the technical asides easier to wade through, although most audiences didn't seem to mind. Followed by "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions", both in 2003. *1/2 from ****