One hell of a ride

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2003)

This is one hell of a picture!
I understand from having read other comments that many people were somewhat dissatisfied with the movie. Well, on the special effects almost nobody complained and they are certainly among the very best ever seen on the big screen. I especially like the effects you DIDN'T see... Did you notice how the camera worked during the car chase scene? It went right through other cars in order to follow the main action in a straight line - impossible but ingenious.
Now the main complaints obviously were with the story line. Well, people, let me remark that this is not a kid's movie despite it's rating and you need a certain intelligence and background to digest what is thrown at you. And this is what they do, they throw little morsels of information and philosophy at you (or big chunks sometimes, there are at least 2 longer monologues) and leave it up to you to interpret it. Obviously your average american schoolkid with an x-men background will be unable to do so and will feel left out in the open.
But for the somewhat broader minded this movie will be a thrill ride, not only because of the awesome action but also because of the mind fodder it gives you. My head is still spinning from weighing the concept of possible realities and greater schemes behind it all. And phrases like "It's like wiping your ass with silk" sounds like something Oscar Wilde would have said.
Yes, the brothers definitely know their classics and their drama theory. Like George Lucas did with the first 3 Star Wars, the 2nd installment of the 3-part-drama is the Action part, after we had the Mystery part.
It is pure joy to see how they build up the story line. First, lulling us in security, showing joy and confidence like in the infamous dance scene, demonstrating Neo's super-powers only to plunge us into utter despair at the end and question the whole concept of reality all over again.
I fully expected an open end because if you only have to wait 5 months for the next part, what better way to keep us on the edge.
And, by the way... has anyone thought that "The One" might have a double meaning? The religious meaning as in "saviour" is a human interpretation but that is not how a machine would think. One in a binary sense is also the counterpart of Zero... I'll let you make your own sense of that.
The only thing I hope for is that we will get an Extended Director's Cut on DVD that will take more time with dialogues.
See you in 5 months!