Cinema Crazed

1999

Rated: R for graphic violence, and adult language.

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy Action Adventure Thriller

Directed By: The Wachowskis

Running Time: 2:30

Review by: Felix Vasquez Jr.

THE MATRIX

This has only been around for a little while and already it's a cult classic and has a huge following, not to mention two more movies out. The movie starts off with Trinity running away from the agents in a sequence that instantly caught my attention and made sure I paid attention. Then we go into Neo (Keanu Reeves Hardball, Dracula) who is at his computer and gets a mysterious message telling him that they're watching him. He disregards this message and decides to applies for a job the next day.

But little does he know what's in store for him. He receives a phone call from someone telling him that some men are after him. The caller instructs an escape for him but unfortunately the people catch him. They interrogate him and implant a bug into him. Later he meets a man named Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne What's love got to do with it, Osmosis Jones) who tells him that reality isn't exactly reality. He then offers him a doorway into the real reality. But little does Neo know that what awaits him will blow his mind. This is a very good movie.

And to some it's considered a comic book movie even though the comic was made after the movie. Every once in a while, a movie will come along that will change the way film is made and this movie is it. I was in awe as I watched this incredible and innovative masterpiece unfold before my eyes. Keanu Reeves gives a good performance as the slob-like character who goes for the ride of his life and becomes an unlikely hero. For Keanu this was a comeback role in which he beat out Will Smith and many other big stars for.

I loved his character who changes throughout the entire movie. My favorite character was Morpheus, the leader of the team and possibly the most unique character of them all. Fishburne is great in this movie as the conscious and mentor of Neo, guiding him to his destiny. The plot of the movie, though very confusing at times, is very original and excellent at that. The movie's special effects are truly innovative and incredible as we experience off the wall and amazing fight scenes and fast-paced shoot outs among the characters.

We never actually do get the full explanation of what "The Matrix" is. Hell, maybe I'm missing something while watching, but I never found what I was looking for. The movie is great but does tend to drag in certain parts of the movie, including some long and drawn out monologues between the characters.

Other than some caveats, this is an innovative and original science fiction entry that's spawned a wave of sub par rip-offs and wannabes, and for perfectly good reason. The Wachowski brothers created a near perfect entry in modern Science Fiction.