The Matrix [1999]

On the DVD: the anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 image is virtually flawless, exhibiting only the grain present in the theatrical print, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is demonstration quality, showing off the high-impact sound effects and Don Davis' fine score to great effect. Special features are "data files" on the main stars, producer and director and "Follow the White Rabbit", which if selected while viewing the movie offers behind the scenes footage. This is interesting, but gimmicky, requires switching back from widescreen to 4:3 each time, and would be better if it could be accessed directly from one menu. There is also a standard 25-minute TV promo film which is as superficial as these things usually are. --Gary S Dalkin

The special effects changed film making forever, the story, although nothing sparklingly original in sci-fi and cyberpunk circles, was carried off in such a brilliant manner it is the most convincing sci-fi film I've seen since Dune (1984, David Lynch) and the original Terminator film.

As far as the actual acting goes it did suit Keanu Reeves pretty well, although his dialog does let him down on occasions but in some ways it reflects the 'panic - I'm feeling a little lost' element of his character Neo/Thomas Anderson. The support is fantastic, Laurence Fishburne as Neo's mentor, Morpheus, and Hugo Weaving as the insidious and evil Agent Smith are supreme in their roles carrying off their dialog with great aplomb and really adding atmosphere for the film. Carrie-Anne Moss carries off her part well, being a good balance of looks and brawn. The sets and cinematography are also fantastic as are the cityscapes, provided by The City of Sydney Australia.

The choreography and action in the film is unparalleled and helped widen the appeal of what might have been a slightly cliquey film had it not been carried off right. As it is the mix of cyberpunk style black clothes, cool sunglasses (I especially liked Morpheus's clip-on-the-nose ones) and huge black boots and the Kung-Fu fighting, gun totting fight scenes as well as the now legendary bullet-time effects really make this film scream to lovers of action and sci-fi alike.

All this is capped by, one might say most importantly, a great dramatic score by Don Davis (which I have just bought the CD of) and punchy metal/punk/techo soundtrack (which I have also just bought the CD of) that really conveys the mood excellently.

All in all it is, in the truest sense, a great film. If you've got the money and you love the film buy one of the special edition double-packs with the 'Matrix - Revisited' documentary DVD in. I have not seen the documentary personally but have it on good authority that it is a really nice addition. If you have not seen the film yet and like the sound of it prepare for stomach churning edge-of-the-seat action that will have you sweating right until the final scenes.

Can't fail to get 5 stars.


Restored my faith in SF cinema   February 24, 2003
Willie Meikle (Newfoundland, Canada)
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

SF Movies have suffered from a lack of style in recent years. There's only so many times you can see Bladerunner or Alien ripped off cheaply before you start to get jaded. And it doesn't help that they keep casting muscular dolts with the intellect of a plank in violent revenge fantasies that do little more than ape the "Death Wish" movies.

So it's three cheers for The Matrix, the film that restored my faith in SF movies.

It starts with a bang, a chase across rooftops with some spectacular leaps that make you realise that wherever you are, it's not the world you live in.

Or is it?

Neo (or is that Neophyte?) is a programmer by day in a faceless corporation, and a hacker by night, searching for Morpheus, a shadowy figure who may hold the key to Neo's longings for a different world. Morpheus on the other hand is looking for a Saviour, someone who will come and lead the oppressed masses to a new Utopia.

Soon their paths cross, and Neo is shown the real world, a world that is not all he thought it to be. In this world everything is run by "The Matrix", a super computer that controls everything and everybody, body and soul. (Or, as the Oracle so succinctly puts it, "Balls to Bones")

Neo is removed from the system's influence, and is told he is "The One", the long-prophesised saviour who can remake the Matrix to his own will. He is trained in how to fight the Matrix defense programs (or "Agents".....software that takes the guise of super-powerful humans and can take control of anybody still hooked up to the Matrix)

To accomplish this he is given a crash course in martial arts in a manner that would be great if it were possible today (I can imagine the ads - "Learn Kung-Fu in thirty seconds....no philosophising necessary!") . Once he reintroduces himself to the Matrix's world the stage is set for some climactic fight scenes, among the best ever seen in cinema history.

To say more would be to give away too much of the plot, but suffice to say The Matrix is one of the biggest, most explosive, most stylish SF films ever.

It succeeds where lesser films fail by melding a hi-tech glossy look with martial arts battles familar to Hong-Kong film lovers, and overlaying the whole thing with a mythic plot of the Saviour who is slowly coming to realise his destiny.

Even the names hold a mythic quality to them, from Morpheus, the god of sleep who knows who is dreaming and who is awake, to Cipher who is not all he seems, to Trinity, the embodiment of child, mother and lover and finally Neo, the classic neophyte trying to find a path through the mysteries. The ancient Greeks would have had no trouble in following the basics of this story.

Reeves has never been better, portraying confusion and frailty one minute, strength and resolve the next. But it is Fishburne's movie....it is his presence that holds the whole thing together and keeps you rivetted to your seat.

All that and a shadowing of a peril coming to Zion, the last stronghold of the true believers, and we're all set up for a blockbuster of a sequel. I can't wait.

Couple that with an outstanding directors talk-over, and an ingenious "follow the white rabbit" extras feature that lets you cut in and view how any particular effect or stunt was achieved, and you have a DVD that's hard to ignore for quality, quantity and entertainment.

All that, loads of black leather gear, big boots and guns. What more do you want?

And any film that contains a clip of the cult classic "Night of the Lepus" is always going to be worth a look.


The Chicken and the Egg   April 4, 2000
15 out of 20 found this review helpful

What came first DVD or The Matrix? Because this film was made for this format, and vice versa. Everything about this movie is cool: the special effects, the choreographed action, the script, the outfits, the music - and it all looks and sounds superb on DVD. The premise of the plot is rather fantastic, but so what? Isn't that the luxury of science fiction? Just sit back and enjoy a fun-filled rollercoaster ride. Not content with the film standing alone as a reason to buy this on DVD, the powers that be have added a truckload of special features - best of which I felt was the featurette on storyboards' progressions to the final product with background music to disgrace any rave party, it has to be played full blast. It is amazing that this comes from the same directors that gave us the excellent 'Bound', the films are so different. I can't wait to see what they come up with next. With the Farellys and the Coens, there will soon need to be an Oscar for the best sibling team! So far 'The Matrix' on DVD is the best example of an essential purchase in the land of home entertainment.


A thought-provoking, visually stunning banquet of a film.   March 15, 2000
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Why do you enjoy a film? Is it because you leave the cinema with your head buzzing with the questions the film has raised? Is it because it was filled with heart-racing action? Did you just sit back and switch off while the film's special effects blew you away? Or do you just like a soppy love story?

It doesn't matter with The Matrix. The film fills every niche, from the most cerebral to the most superficial.

Science fiction haters will still love it, since, if you wish, you can ignore the SF supertext and enjoy the stories and action beneath it. Even Keanu Reeves haters will have to accept that his inability to show any emotion other than vacant fits his role as a no-life hacker perfectly.

This film is perfect for DVD, as it will be watched again and again and you can skip straight to your favourite bits. The DVD also includes fascinating "making of" material.

If you don't watch this film you missed out on one of the best films this century. Your loss.


Take the red pill   January 2, 2002
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Despite the obvious lack of intelligence (although they cover it up very well amid all the cool sunglasses and sleek black cat suits) the Matrix delivers all the right cerebral massaging at a phenomenal pace that cannot fail to keep an audience fixated. Basically, you have to be dead if you do not find even a passing attachment to this film. From the very beginning to the extremely open ending, The Matrix takes you on a very one-dimensional thrill ride, glossing over an awfully intricate plot with outstanding action set-pieces and stunning special effects. This is the sort of film that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck and forces your pulse to race but does not for a second challenge you mentally. It is a blockbuster and it does exactly what a blockbuster should do. Like Terminator 2 before it and, to a lesser extent, the 2 Mummy films it leaves you breathless and totally satisfied.

The reason that it is so popular is that it is so watchable. Despite the difficulty of truly grasping what the Matrix is (it is explained tiresomely as to make sure that absolutley EVERYBODY understands) it moves quickly, in a cascade effect, adding to the suspense and action by topping it at every scene, so as you watch you are constantly bombarded with scene after scene of exhilarating action to make you stay right until the end. And what an ending. For pure good vs evil bravura it holds nothing back, even extending the envelope of non-stop action to create a new beast, one which you cannot tear your eyes away from. It has the most life-affirming, feel-good, kick-ass (for there is simply no other phrase for it) climax a film could have without wrapping anything up except the love story sub-plot.

One of the fascinating aspects of the Matrix is the genre boundaries that it crosses. It can be quite comfortably pigeon-holed into cyber-punk sci-fi but if I had asked my mother to watch it with a description like that she would have laughed at me. People who do not like science fiction love this film. If there is a greater accolade than that I do not know what it is. That is why truly great films are indeed great - they find a way of engaging even the most sceptic soul and endear them to itself.

Whether this will be a classic or in the top 100 films of all time in 20 years hence is yet to be seen but that does not detract from the fact that it is still a fantastic and worthy nominee.