The Matrix
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Movie Reviews of The Matrix
Movie Review: an enjoyable punch just left of center
Summary: 5 Stars
With thousands of reviews written on THE MATRIX, it seems rather silly to regurgitate what others have already written. Still, I'm compelled to comment on a movie that is slightly left of center. People will claim that this is a good special effects movie, a good action movie, and an excellent commentary on the nature of reality itself. Indeed, Lawrence Fishburne's character Morpheus asks us, "What is real? How do you define real?" And this question is the one that pervades the movie in every sense, starting from a very coherent whole and spinning deeper and deeper until it emerges into a very fresh approach to the "apocalypse" movie theme that was previously dominated by the Terminator movies.I am not personally fond of Keanu Reeves's acting in this movie. He seems detached and emotionless in comparison to his efforts in movies like Point Break and, I'm amazed to say, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Carrie Ann Moss seems slightly better in her role as the painfully slim but otherwise fashionably attired Trinity. Her performance at least had more depth than that of Reeves. I personally think that Laurence Fishburne was the best of all the leads, taking his character Morpheus to places emotionally that Reeves hardly touches and Moss approaches, but teeters on the edge of.
The movie as a whole intrigued me, then proceeded to fascinate me. The concept, a post-apocalyptic twist with vague associations to the machine wars of "Terminator" and "Terminator II", was intriguing enough to me that I seriously considered the "what if" idea of a pseudo-reality imposed by computers. It's enough to make your mind boggle if you take it *too* seriously, but I think those are the most enjoyable movies. Just close enough to reality to make you really wonder, and just far enough out of touch with reality to make the movie enjoyable, fresh, and watchable again and again.
Now about the action...the fight scenes are great. Watching the "Follow the White Rabbit" cuts interspersed on the DVD and watching the "making of" information available really rounds out the value of this movie purchase for me. It's stunning to watch the training and the technology of movie making meld together to make a final scene that pushes the bounds of physical reality just enought that you think "Damn! I wish I could do that myself!" In my house, when a group of friends come over and discuss martial arts, THE MATRIX inevitably ends up in the DVD player as a visual aid to the discussion.
Would I rescue the DVD from a fire? Probably so. Would I buy a copy for a friend who didn't have one? Absolutely. Would I see it again if they re-released it in the theatres? Without a doubt.
Movie Review: The Matrix - Definitive DVD Review
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.""What truth?"
That "The Matrix" is a brilliant film. You put in the DVD, and immediately you are confronted with a fast moving montage of the best bits of the movie. You could sit and watch the menu for two hours, or you could watch the film. What I thought before watching the movie was that it was just another sci-fi movie with nothing I hadn't seen before. I was wrong. Very, very wrong.
The beginning is a bit slow moving, but you need to hang in there to fully appreciate the rest of the film.
The film follows the story of Thomas A. Anderson or his hacker alias Neo. He is just like you or me until he is contacted by Morpheus. He explains to Neo how where he lives is actually a computer generated dream world sent into our brains by machines who need our energy to survive. The Matrix is that dream world. Neo is apparently able to remake the Matrix as he sees fit, and the movie is about how he discovers his abilities.
Neo is played by Keanu Reeves, who spent four months learning kung fu for the movie. It really does make for great viewing.
But what stands out the most are the amazing special effects. I'm talking about bullet time. The camera spins around Neo as he dodges bullets in super slow motion. The explosions, the camera effects as the camera zooms through computer screens, allowing us to see inside the screen, it's all amazing.
Another dimension to the film is the score, by Don Davis. It is great by itself but adds mood and mysteriousness to the movie. Also, the soundtrack is great, from Rage Against The Machine (The end of the film where Neo hangs up the phone) to the Propellerheads (The shoot-out scene in the lobby of the Government building).
So the film is breathtaking, but it doesn't stop there. Back in 1999, the release of the DVD transformed how DVDs were to be made. It had tons of special features, hidden special effects documentaries, and a great DVD-ROM feature that allowed you to access interviews, games, exclusive websites and more. Even today it rises above many other DVDs in terms of special features. And if that isn't enough, a double disc DVD is available with even more features.
The film is rated 15, but there isn't really anything there that's too bad for older children. If anything, it appeals more to younger people.
So if you're thinking of buying this DVD, there's no point in thinking about it. Go ahead and buy it. It is a film that gets better every time you watch it, and you will need to watch it again to notice everything in the film. It is essential to anyone's DVD collection.
"Why do my eyes hurt?"
"You've never used them before..."
Movie Review: Very, very good movie! Great fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MATRIX:"Whoa."
What would you say if computers controlled you? What would you say if you could defy gravity? What would you say if your life was a computer simulation? Yes, that's right.
"The Matrix" is a long, intense roller coaster ride into the future. What our world is today is a dream world, and The Matrix is the real world. Keanu Reeves is Neo, who is chosen by the head of a group, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). What Morpheus tells Neo is confusing at first, but at a part where Neo meets someone called The Oracle tells him something. I won't tell you what; you have to see it for yourself.
The movie doesn't really tell you what The Matrix is directly, but gives you an implication of what might control the human race in the future. Technologists think that something called Artificial Intelligence (or AI for short) will control the way of life, and that is what this movie is all about. As computers grow stronger, and, what I like to think, more intelligent, the human race dies down and gets "sucked" into them. The very Internet that you read this on would be nothing compared what it might be in 1000 years. A Pentium Processor MCMXCVIII, that makes the picture on your computer pop out into reality? Create an artificial world? What you believe about the future is the key of life.
THE REVIEW:
"The Matrix" is not one of those ordinary action films...terrorist threatens, guy saves whatever or whoever is in danger, or those "Save the [Insert Subject Here]" type things (Well, maybe it is a little like saving the world). But is very different. That's why it got 4 1/2 out of five. An ordinary guy, Thomas "Neo" Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is picked out by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), the head of a team that tries to overthrow an evil Matrix to save the new one. The special effects are great. (I don't know if "Flo-Mo" is trademarked by the Wachowski brothers or not) What I mean by "Flo-Mo" is the so-called "Bullet Time" sequence, where Neo dodges bullets. Also, I can't imagine the vigorous training that went into performing the Kung Fu and other karate moves. This is the first movie of its kind that the REAL actors do their own moves. This movie should be a big hit across the Pacific. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity) were a great pair-up for this movie. It is hard to explain the movie in a review, because there isn't anything to review other than the theme of the story, but it was good. It is probably the best science fiction movie I've seen. The movie is based on playing a game on the computer, about virtual reality. So, what is The Matrix? I can sum it up in 2 words: SEE IT (and buy it on DVD September 21st!).
Movie Review: Free your mind...
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Matrix" was a real sleeper hit of 1999. It is one of the few movies which incorporate a large amount of computer generated special effects and have them play a major role in the plot. Most movies with lots of computer help just have the special effects in the movie, but they are unnecessary. This film needs all the effects it has to make the story believeable.The movie tells us of a man named Neo(Keanu Reeves) who works at a software company (when he gets up on time), and does lots of illicit computer hacking work off the clock. He has been searching for a seemingly mythical figure named Morpheus. Through a series of strange events, Morpheus(Lawrence Fishburne) contacts Neo and brings him to a meeting with the help of the leather clad Trinity(Carrie-Anne Moss). At this meeting, Morpheus drops a complete bomb on Neo- that his life as he has known it means nothing.
The world is actually controlled by machines who use human infants like batteries, absorbing the body heat for power. The computers invented an imaginary "Matrix" for the humans to live in, which is the world we now inhabit. Because we are so comfortable here, we don't try to break out and get away from the control of these machines. Morpheus and his select crew of assistants on his ship are fighting against the machines in the real world, which has no sunlight and has suffered mass destruction from the numerous battles over the years. Neo has to make a decision whether to join the battle or to go back to the blissful ignorance of the Matrix.
The special effects in the movie are great and are well used. The fighting sequences and the jump sequences when the camera spins 360 degrees around the person are really cool. There is a scene where someone in the group has to be rescued from the Agents(machines in human form in the Matrix) and the effects of the gunfire and destruction are some of the best you will see. The film would suffer without the fantastic computer visual effects it has.
Interesting, how much this movie references Christianity and the Bible. The last human city is called Zion, the character Trinity is a reference to the holy trinity, the character Neo is obviously patterned after Jesus Christ, as the one saviour of the world. How about Morpheus's ship being called the Nebukadnezzar, after the king in the bible? There is even a Judas type figure who betrays the whole group.
In general, the Matrix is a very slick sci-fi thriller with lots of action, a cool storyline, and lots of effects which are real fun. The sequels (one of which I have seen and one I have not) simply can't match up to this. I recommend this film for any action fan's shelf.
Movie Review: The Best Sci-Fi Action Thriller of All Time
Summary: 5 Stars
Movies weren't made like The Matrix before it came out. The movie is revolutionary in so many ways; so much so that we now take it for granted as it seems most movie-makers try to emulate the style(s).
Just having the 120-or-so cameras positioned in the circular pattern to show the jump kicks or the famous dodging of the bullets scene had never before been considered. If you are the type who doesn't care about storylines and just wants to watch fast-moving Kung Fu, you can get that from The Matrix easy.
But let's say you appreciate well-developed, finely engrained storylines with awesome depth... Well, The Matrix boasts one of the finest stories ever created. It mirrors the anxiety of the classic conspiracy theory movies, yet provides excellent tie-ins with common life. The Matrix offers analogies regarding regular, daily life, then magically connects them to that vast conspiracy that no one is aware of.
The biggest kick I get out of the movie is that is plays on nearly every personality type. For example, you know those people who swear "everybody else" is ignorant and living in the dark? "They don't know how to raise their children!" "They aren't smart enough to understand what I am talking about!" "If they only knew what I know!" Etcetera. Well, imagine being an insider on The Matrix!
Or how about the other personality of the conspiracy theorists? "The government is behind everything!" "The Illuminati are only a few people who control the whole world!" Etcetera. Ho, boy.
Or the rock-'em-up, sock-'em'up types that just giggle and chuckle when a bad guy gets his hiney handed to him in a swift, bad-butt kind of way...
The Matrix is philosophically DEEP, and the action is the best around, even nowadays. This movie is a classic, folks, and it was instantly so. It set the standard for action movies to come, and it will always be a great watch. If you are one of the few folks who hasn't purchased the DVD yet, I encourage you to find the Trilogy set and buy it. I often make "Matrix weekends" for myself.
Oh, and if you are female or are considering watching The Matrix series with one - but you know she is not really into this sort of movie - tell her it is a love story. You won't be lying - most of Neo's (the main character) major decisions originate from his love for a woman.
And even though I am not a huge fan of Keanu Reeves, you will not be able to see anything poorly done until the second episode. But there is only one occurrence of that.
Get the trilogy!