Rating of
2.5/4
Enter the Matrix if your 1st choice isnt available
The M.O.W. - wrote on 08/02/08
"Thomas Anderson" (Keanu Reeves) is a computer programmer who leaves a double life as a computer hacker known as "Neo". He has been getting messages asking him what "The Matrix" is. When at work the next day, he gets a mysterious phone call on his cell phone informing him that the police and plain clothes agents just coming out of the elevator are after him. The voice on the other end of the line tries, but fails to help him escape.
Shortly after, "Anderson" meets with a mysterious man who goes by the name "Morpheus" (Laurence Fishburn), who offers to show him what "The Matrix" is. During his explanation, he says that it is actually 200 years later than what "Anderson" believes it to be, and that intelligent machines have taken over Earth. He then explains that the machines are using the humans, which they now cultivate, as batteries, and that "The Matrix" is a computer program designed to keep the minds of the humans functioning. "Morpheus" then explains that he and his group of rebels are trying to save mankind.
Now known as his hacker name, "Neo" he joins the resistance to fight the machines, and to save humanity from "The Matrix".
The firt thing you will notice is that their is a lot of shadow in this movie. The only light you will see is in the outdoor scenes when the characters are in the "Matrix" created city. Not only is the scenery dark, but so is the majority of wardrobes.
If you like action films, this movie. The hand-to-hand battles are fast paced, but become a little hokey when the characters begin to use their knowledge of "The Matrix" begin to jump around bending the laws of physics. Just by their postures while jumping, it is quite obvious that they are in a harness. In my opinion, that was the weakest special effect in the entire movie. On the other hand, the CGI machines are simply amazing, and are blended into the real sets and with the human performers wonderfully.
I am not sure if it was intentional, but the performances are quite stiff. Not one of the performers steal any scenes, nor do they stand out from the rest of the cast. There was no depth in any of the performances at all.
The plot itself can be quite confusing. There are just way too many plot twists and turns, which may mean you might have to sit through multiple viewings to understand what the plot is all about.
This is not the best sci-fi out there, but it's worthy to check out as a strong second choice the next time you want to rent a movie if your first choice is unavailable.
