An excellent movie, combining incredible digital effects with a twisted plot, and involving characters! Everything a Sci-Fi fan could ask for!

Rating: Null/10 (9 September 2003)

Before I write another word, I should say that I am not a diehard or compulsive fan of the Matrix. Pardon the disclaimer, but I just mean to ensure the objectivity of my professional opinion as a critic. To put it short: This was a Work Of ART! There were, admittedly, certain sequences that could have been graciously omitted... One particular "romantic" sequence between Neo and Trinity comes to mind. But other than that, the film was a delight! It also featured a number of new cast members (e.g. Sing Ngai, Lambert Wilson) that deliver no disappointing performances! Each character is tailored to fit his/her performing counterpart! Tha'ts how the best movies are written! The two real winning elements of the movie, as far as performances go, were the dialogue and the fights. In the way of dialogue, there are several hero-villain confrontations that simply intrigue with every passing word! There are also a few monologues from Morpheus and Councilor Hamann, played by TV's classic Anthony Zerbe, which convey the amalgamated tactical-religious thinking of the older heroes of the story! As far as the action is concerned, there are many new effects, the most impressive of which being Agent Smith's new cloning ability (imagine, if you will, an entire mob of Hugo Weavings...), and the mysterious Twins, who can phase into a ghost-like state. However, the real golden thing about the movie's special effects is that the movie doesn't drown itself in them! There is still a great deal of the movie's stunts that are done with old fashioned elbow grease and wire-harnesses! It is a cutting edge-action movie, but uses only what it digital effects need be used. To put it as simply as possible, the movie was enjoyable at every turn! Granted, it's a mind-full the first time. I couldn't sleep after my first viewing! But once you get past the twists and turns the plot takes, and see everything in its truest light... There is one ultimate twist (which I cannot spoil!) that leaves you cliffhanging! You will be waiting with no small level of anxiety for the grand conclusion that is "the Matrix Revolutions".