Review: The Matrix (1999)

This is a Resurfaced review written in 2002 or earlier. For more information, please visit this link: Resurfaced Reviews.

The Matrix

Rating

Director

The Wachowskis

Screenplay

The Wachowskis

Length

2h 16m

Starring

Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Julian Arahanga, Matt Doran, Belinda McClory, Anthony Ray Parker, Paul Goddard, Robert Taylor

MPAA Rating

Review

Cyberpunk is more than just a fashion statement or a fad of the 1980s. Cyberpunk is a state of mind. It is an environment, whether it is fashion or role playing that takes us into the dark future where machines, aliens and man must coexist. It is a world where technology is more important than human emotion. Survival is the law of the land and the Corporation rules everything. It is a disparate environment filled with dark and seedy fun.

The last film to make such an interesting statement with a Cyberpunk world was 1998’s “Dark City.” While it doesn’t always have to be devoid of emotion it is easily a matter of style over substance and “The Matrix” is definitely a film that takes that mantra to heart.

Neo (Keanu Reeves) is a remorseless hacker who spends most of his days working a menial job at a software company while dealing in pirated information. One night while he’s home alone, someone breaks into his computer and starts talking to him. The computer says that he should follow the white rabbit.

There’s a knock at his door and he goes to answer it. Standing there are some “friends” who want to get some information he got for them. He gives them the info and they invite him to a club for the night. Neo doesn’t want to go at first, but when one of the young women insists and flashes him her tattoo of a white rabbit, he agrees and follows.

While at the club, he meets Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) who wants him to go with her to meet the infamous hacker Morpheus. Reluctantly, Neo agrees and is whisked away by limousine. On the trip, Trinity wants to make sure he’s not been bugged and so he tells him to strip off his shirt. He refuses and the driver, Switch (Belinda Mcclory) pulls over. They threaten that he will have to get out and walk down a dark, hazardous alley if he doesn’t agree. So he agrees and inside, they find a small electronic bug that had been planted by some Matrix agents.

Upon arrival, he meets Morpheus (Samuel L. Jackson) who tells him that he has been leading a life that is not real. Neo doesn’t believe him, yet Morpheus continues to try. Finally, Morpheus gives him the option. He can either leave or stay and find out what’s going on. He holds out two pills in his hand. One will take him out of there and the other will take him in. Neo decides to go in and thus begins an exciting adventure into the world of cyber-technology.

It’s very hard to explain the film without giving away more than what is in the preview. For once, there is a preview that doesn’t give away any key plot elements. That kind of trailer is as rare as an honest politician.

Reeves is emotionless as usual, but considering the film as a whole, it is completely appropriate. I wasn’t expecting Fishburne in this role, nor was I expecting Weaving to be so evil (last seen as the fatherly drag queen in “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” and last heard as the voice of the dog Rex in “Babe” and its sequel). While it wasn’t him playing a villain that had me surprised (he did very well), it was that it took me half the movie to finally realize where I’d seen him before and that I am confirmed that his performance in “Priscilla” was even better.

Moss is attractive, yet invariably too attached to her emotions in the film. Pantoliano was annoying as the traitorous Cypher.

“The Matrix” is definitely a visceral film. It is filled with exciting, strange and new images. It is dark yet shines brilliantly in a sea of predictable and boring action-adventure science fiction films. The visual effects are indeed stunning and comparable to the great visual effects jobs in film history.

“The Matrix” is an exciting movie that will thrill men and women as well as kids, teens and adults.

Awards Prospects

Visual effects nomination would almost be assured, but with the past record for sci-fi-type films (Fifth Element and Dark City) the prospects aren’t necessarily good, but it does stand a good chance. Possibly art direction or costum design, but those are doubtful. Possibly also sound and sound effects editing.