A visually breathtaking, interesting but ultimately flawed film.

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2003)

Put it down to the fact that the Internet is ruled by thinking-type computer nerds or the fact that many people are willing to accept the merits of a movie based on its face value, but I really didn't believe that The Matrix was quite worthy of being ranked as the #33 best movie of all time. Granted, it was very good, but there were essentially a couple of glaring weaknesses I perceived that made the movie, for me, a very good sci-fi futuristic romp, and not a truly great one. Aside from that, I don't see how a movie like this could rank above certain other explorations of perception and the fragile nature of reality. To name a few (released either before or after this movie), you have the likes of Vanilla Sky, eXistenZ and Dark City. Granted, these movies all approached similar themes in a slightly different way, and none of them were terribly similar to The Matrix in terms of their presentation, but such films offer a much richer platter of food for thought.
I don't think I need to go into depth as to what The Matrix is about: Neo is 'The One' (a staple term in sci-fi and fantasy flicks), a person who is seemingly capable of defeating the collective computer-induced hallucination known as The Matrix, a program which is apparently responsible for giving most humans an illusion of a life - one which is nothing more than a flexible computer program.
It's a relatively original concept, but unfortunately it doesn't get the exploration it deserves here. For the most part, the meditations on the nature of the life we take for granted as real are reduced to being a vehicle for the special effects, when it would have been much better had it been the other way around.
Speaking of special effects, however, it's worth noting that those in The Matrix are still to this day the best you're likely to see. Creative, stylistic and used to great effect without being in complete excess, this is a movie that is meant to be experienced in the cinemas. Or, since the movie was released several years ago, via a nice home theatre/surround sound setting.
This movie comes highly recommended (sorry if it sounded like I was completely panning it earlier). Just remember that while the movie raises some interesting questions and offers a true feast for the eyes, there's not really enough going on beneath the surface to satisfy the more demanding movie-goers.
Grade: B+