At least Keanu Reeves' bad acting distracted me for most of the movie

Rating: 4/10 (19 May 2003)

Minor Spoilers Ahead...
Like an idiot, I thought I would see this movie for the visual effects. I had heard a lot about how amazing the new special effects were, so I figured it would be worth my money. As you might have guessed after the movie was over, I didn't feel like I had gotten my money's worth. The only entirely new visual effect is when Neo is fighting a gang of agent Smiths. This scene was entirely computer generated, and I had already seen that in the animated short that had been screened a few months ago. Not only did Reeves deliver his trademark lifeless performance, but it seems like his lack of ability to act is contagious, because Fishburne's presence on the screen was even more irritating. At one point he gives (supposedly powerful) speech to the citizens of Zion, in order to get them in a fighting mood for the machines that are fast approaching; after his speech there is a dance scene that erupts. The people who had been listening to him talk, break into a dance (pun?). It was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen (and that says a lot since I saw "Dreamcatcher" a few weeks back - another big mistake). Honestly, I still don't understand why the machines need the Matrix. Aren't the humans in a comatose state, balled up in fetal positions in vats full of goo? Why this elaborate scheme to play with the mind? Anyhow, I have said my piece.