THE MATRIX
"The Matrix" is simply astonishing! Andy and Larry Wachowsky, who gave us the weirdly kinky, often hilarious, always exciting, and technically superior "Bound," have outdone themselves with a movie that is destined to enter the pantheon of timeless sci-fi classics. They’ve performed a brilliant feat of cinematic alchemy by combining a visual and technological feast with an incredibly entertaining story packed with biblical and literary references, Eastern mysticism, the thrill of an action packed John Woo film, and ideas from some of the most imaginative futuristic movies ever made.
"The Matrix" opens with an amphetamine driven kick-ass martial arts fight between the cops and a mysterious leather clad rail thin woman who is then chased across the rooftops by some government agents amidst a blaze of firepower. She stops at one jangling telephone after another before disappearing into thin air. The movie shifts to a Kafka-like scene out of The Trial. Programmer, Tom "Neo" Anderson, is nailed by ‘the agents’ for hacking into their wired world. He’s rescued, plugged in, reborn, re-educated, and let loose in an alternate world where the inhabitants expect some kind of Messiah.
Is Tom "Neo" Anderson THE ONE? Mmmmmm…could be!
There’s a John-the-Baptist inspired character called the Oracle who tells people what they ‘need to know,’ and a crew of disciples with its own Judas out to free the minds and souls from the Matrix. Their rebel leader, Morpheus, describes it as "a world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth."
"The Matrix" is a pop sci-fi masterpiece that uses its eye-popping images and mind boggling special effects to grab your attention while relying on the humanity of its characters to hold it. Keeanu Reeves transforms Neo from a clueless hacker to a savvy survivor. Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus waxes philosophical about his part in the rebellion, while combating the forces of evil with Messianic zeal. Joe Pantoliano, the Wachowskys’ leading man in "Bound," never fails to deliver as Cypher, Morpheus’ sidekick. Hugo Weaving, from "Priscilla - Queen of the Desert," is chilling as the sadistic, not-quite human, Agent Smith, who will do anything to destroy the rebels. The role of Trinity could make Carrie-Anne Morse an action star. She gives her the elusive quality of a cat burglar, moving with the grace of a cheetah and the speed of an electrode. And she can kick butt with the best of them!
"The Matrix" is an organic piece of movie magic that never sacrifices the story for the hardware. The only word to describe it is, Wachowskyan!
Suggested Video Pix: Some sci-fi flicks that share a few ideas with "The Matrix."
"Dark City" (1998) - A neglected gem about stolen memories and mind manipulation. Someone, or something wants to find out what it’s like to be human. With Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, and Keifer Sutherland.
"Strange Days" (1995) - Ralph Fiennes pirates other people’s experiences on pre-recorded discs. It’s sex, love, and death on CD!
"Johnny Mnemonic" (1995) - OK! So it bombed! Keeanu Reeves’ did his best as a guy who stores and transports critical data that corporations will kill for in his mental vortex.
"They Live" (1988) - Dumb, but lots of fun. With former wrestler Roddy Piper as the hero who uncovers a plot by aliens to take over the world. The eyes have it when it comes to subliminal messages. Written (under a pseudonym) and directed by John Carpenter.
"The Terminator" (1984) - James Cameron’ s classic about a robot from a future world ruled by machines, who goes back in time to kill the woman who will give birth to the one who will threaten his existence in his time. With Arnold Schwarzeneger as the robot.
"Videodrome" (1983) - James Woods gets hooked on an alternate reality beamed from a late night cable show that transforms him into something quite unique. From horror maven, writer/director David Cronenberg.
"Blade Runner" (1982) - This raised the bar for modern set design for all the bleak futuristic movies to follow. "The Matrix" is no exception. From director Ridley Scott with Harrison Ford as a good cop.
"Soylent Green" (1973) - Just what is that stuff that feeds the human race? With Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) - Invading Pods turn humans into drones, in this classic from director Don Siegel. Intended as a McCarthy Era parable with Kevin McCarthy. It works as top notch sci-fi too! "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978) - More sci-fi than McCarthy. Ditto.
"Metropolis" (1926) - The German silent classic from Fritz Lang by which all films about futuristic societies are measured. A Messiah for the working class becomes the catalyst that frees the oppressed laborers. The movie was an eerie foreshadowing of the rise of the Nazism and the use of slave labor to support their industry.
"Les Vampires" (1915) - The French silent serial classic from Louis Feuillade whose Irma Vep was the prototype for all the cat burglars to follow. Think rooftops of Paris and the chase that launches "The Matrix." Released on video for the first time in 1998.