The Matrix doesn't fit into either of the major categories I review on
this site (horror and/or horrible), but I have reviewed sci-fi films
before, and I've been watching so many bad movies lately that I feel the
need to review a great one.  That being said, the Matrix rocks.  Here we
have a story that borrows from past movies, but is unique unto itself. 
It's inventive and thought provoking.  It's interesting and intense. 
The idea that humans are grown as batteries for an computerized
collective is great.  And that this world is just wool pulled over our
eyes as our brains are stimulated is fantastic.  The confusion at the
beginning (for the first time viewer) really pays off as the movie
progresses, and the viewer learns as Neo does.  The only negative thing
I can think of with regards to the script is that the love story is
sorta just tacked on.  But in this kind of a movie, who really cares?

The look of this film is phenomenal.  The stunts and camerawork from
this film has been stolen by every action film since.  The visual
concepts of bullet-time and freezing the action and the kung fu
acrobatics are all ground breaking.  The action scenes are nonstop, with
bullets flying, buildings being torn apart, people jumping, shooting,
kicking, running up walls, all in great slow motion.  It's breath
taking.  The scene with Neo and Trinity entering and shooting up the
lobby of the building where Morpheus is being held is incredible.  I
also enjoy the helicopter crash, the subway fight, the sparring
program...  jesus, why don't I just list every scene in the movie,
because they're all great.  Even if we don't consider the envelope
pushing special effects, this film is visually stunning.  The green hue
that hangs over all scenes within the matrix, the great use of
reflections (on mirrors, Morpheus's sunglasses, spoons, door knobs,
etc.), the gritty look of "the real world", the cleanliness of the
construct.  It's all gorgeous.  The cinematography and camera angles are
great, too.  I love the look of the scene on the building roof after
Trinity says "Dodge this" and shoots the agent in the head.

Ahh, I could go on and on about this film.  The combination of sci-fi,
action, kung fu, westerns, war, suspense - it all works.  I know I don't
have to recommend the Matrix, since everyone has seen it.  But I do
recommend that you watch it again.  It's worth many multiple viewings.
 
 

Quality: 9.0  Visuals: 10.0  Intensity: 9.5 
OVERALL RATING: 9.5