THE MATRIX (1999)

Country: U.S.A.

Genre(s): Action / Sci-Fi

Director: Andy Wachowski / Lana Wachowski

Cast: Keanu Reeves / Laurence Fisburne / Carrie-Ann Moss

Plot

After learning that his world is a complex virtual reality created by the machines that control the post-apocalyptic real world, computer hacker Neo joins a group of rebels who seek to free mankind.

What I Liked

It’s a tribute to just how far ahead of the curve “The Matrix” was in 1999 that its special effects still thrill after more than a dozen years and more than a dozen viewings later.  The wire fighting choreography and “bullet time” special effects were revolutionary for American filmmaking, producing a “how’d they do that?” cool factor that would have a longstanding and far-reaching influence on action filmmaking.  By combining martial arts action with a science fiction plot and effects, the filmmakers hit upon a thrilling combination that would continue to work (though never again as sensationally) for the film’s two sequels and dozens of imitators and parodies.  More importantly, those effects and stunts continue to be eye-catching and convincing all this time later.

The technical and visual stuff aside, this movie features some other elements to enjoy.  Those familiar with fantasy and science fiction will find familiar plot elements and archetypal characters lovingly copped from the popular “Star Wars” and “Terminator” franchises, along with references to “The Wizard of Oz” and “Alice in Wonderland.”  There’s also a decent soundtrack that appropriately features the likes of Rage Against the Machine and their hard rock brethren.  Though I've never found Carrie-Ann Moss particularly attractive in any other film, skin-tight leather suits apparently compliment her, because she's pretty damn sexy as love interest/bad-ass Trinity.  Better yet, the movie features one of the best action villains of the nineties in Hugo Weaving’s scary yet fascinating Agent Smith.

What I Didn’t Like

I can’t say there’s anything I absolute did not like about the first “Matrix.”  Elements of the sequels were disappointing, but, hey, I'll even admit I enjoyed the hell out of “The Matrix Reloaded.”  If anything, they might have been able to do better casting than His Woah-ness, Keanu Reeves, as Neo, but you know what?  The part really didn’t demand all that much versatility, which allowed the movie to work without exposing Reeves’ limitations.

Most Memorable Scene

Of all the special effects laden fights and battles in the movie, probably the most famous sequence is the gun-toting rampage of Neo and Trinity through the office building lobby, dazzling for its unprecedented effects but controversial for its dehumanizing violence.  Several of the most famous shooting rampages by black-dressed idiots in subsequent years have been blamed on this scene in particular, meaning that scene usually comes to mind anytime “The Matrix” is mentioned.

Let’s ignore the controversy for a few moments, though, and really get down to what is the most thrilling moment of the film.  It actually comes just minutes after that shoot-out, when, having made it to the building’s roof, Trinity takes to the skies in a helicopter.  Once that helicopter gets shot up and starts to fall out of the sky, the Wachowskis do a fantastic job of matching palpable tension with mind-blowing effects to generate a sweat-inducing action sequence for the next minute or so that is as satisfying as any you’ll ever see.

My Rating: 4 out of 5