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The Matrix is a stylish, ground breaking, action spectacular.
The special effects are mind blowing, the action sequences thrilling,
and the storyline compelling.
The Wachowski Brothers have pulled off a masterstroke with
the release of The Matrix. Armed with an interesting storyline
and a B list cast, they have managed to create one of the most
important movies of the decade. This success is due in no small
part to the spectacular special effects but the rest of the
movie works as well to create an overall excellent result.
The storyline is simple b ut devastating. In fact, little of
the plot was even revealed before the movie's release with only
the tagline 'What is the Matrix?' to pique audience curiousity.
Keanu Reeves (in a career resurrecting role) stars as Thomas
Anderson a computer hacker who moonlights under the pseudonym
Neo. His life is turned upside down when he is contacted by
fellow hacker Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) and the mysterious Morpheus
(Laurence Fishburne). Immediately he is tracked down by sinister
looking government agents, led by the villainous Agent Smith
(Hugo Weaving). This sets Neo off an an adventure that shakes
his very understanding of the world around him.
There are so many places where this movie could slip up. We
have all seen films that have been over dominated by special
effects (can anyone say The Haunting?) but The Matrix manages
to blend the awesome effects into the overall story so that
they have the enhancing effect that they are intended to. Hats
off to the costume and set designers as well for the creation
of a stylish yet bleak feel for the future that also adds to
the overall atmosphere of the narrative.
The acting is generally good although it would be fair to say
that most of the characters do not stretch the limits of their
actors capabilities. Reeves is ideal as the action man of few
words, while Weaving is devilishly sinister as Agent Smith.
Throw in an electrifying soundtrack and you have the makings
of a movie that will be watched many times over into the future.
A true blockbuster. Roll on Matrix 2 . . . . . .
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