The Matrix

The Matrix

9.5 out of 10

Running time: 2:15

MPAA rating: R (Sci-fi violence and brief language.)

Peruvian rating: Mayores de 18

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Hugo Weaving, Julian Arahanga.
Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Script: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Photography: Bill Pope
Score: Don Davis
Distributor: Warner Brothers

There’s virtually no one who has never seen or heard about The Matrix. The 1999 movie is one of the most influential motion pictures released in the last decade and, even though it’s been eight years since its initial release, the film is as intense and interesting as ever. Happily enough, the sequels – one which was decent and the other one which was disappointing – haven’t done anything to ruin the first film’s reputation and, having seen them many times, I still enjoy the first installment the same way I enjoyed it six years ago when I first saw it. The movie’s proof that the Wachowskis, when not pressured by studio executives, can make really compelling, interesting and engaging motion pictures.

The movie tells the story of Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a man who lives a double life. Normally, he works as a computer programmer who works for a famous software corporation, but in his privacy, he’s actually a computer hacker called Neo, guilty of many crimes. He’s dissatisfied with this existence, though, and while looking for existential answers, he is contacted by a “someone” called Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who turns out to be captain of a space ship in the future, and believes Neo to be “the One.” When he meets with Neo, he explains it all: reality is actually a fabrication called The Matrix, a computer programme created by evil machines that use humans as energy sources. Of course, Neo doesn’t believe all this at first, but when he gets to the “real world” with Morpheus, he soon learns to manipulate the Matrix, fight the Bad Guys who want to destroy all free humans: the Agents led by Smith (Hugo Weaving); and meets the rest of the crew, including sexy Trinity. (Carrie-Ann Moss.)

I’ve actually find it really difficult to write this small plot summary; there’s a lot to the movie, and writing it all would take me too much time, too much space, and I would reveal to many spoilers and plot details I’m sure viewers who have never seen the film want to discover by themselves. Because of this, the movie is pretty rare: it has a complex plot, but it’s shown in a way that is not confusing to casual viewers, and at the end, although not every question is answered, many answers have been given. The film is both intelligent and exhilarating, and people who think it’s a film in which no thought is required might be disappointed by it. Yes, it does have action, but you also need to do some thinking.

In terms of acting, the film’s pretty solid. I consider Keanu Reeves a somewhat wooden thespian, but he’s not too bad in here. As Thomas Anderson, he’s pretty low-key, but when he learns to use the Matrix and becomes Neo, he’s as cool as any other modern-day protagonist. All he needs to do is read his lines, look cool and kick some butt, and he does of all it effectively. Besides, the guy’s surrounded by an impeccable cast. Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus looks cool, sounds convincing, and can be sometimes wise and sometimes intense. Carrie Ann-Moss is excellent, and Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith is witty, menacing and interesting.

In terms of style and visual effects, the film’s amazing. Unlike its sequels (especially The Matrix Reloaded) none of the action sequences are excessively over-the-top, and the visual effects never look fake. The movie may be eight years old, but the effects haven’t aged a bit and, although the bullet-time effect has been overused since its released, this film remains as the creator of the technique, and the one which uses it more effectively. The movie can be sometimes philosophical and profound, but when it presents the viewer with its excellent action sequences and visual effects, it’s incredibly gripping and engaging. The look of the film is extremely cool; everything in the Matrix looks greenish and every person populating it seems to enjoy dressing in black leather; everything contributes to the film’s overall look… and it works.

So, if you’ve never seen The Matrix… what are you waiting for? Even if you’re not a science fiction fan I’ll pretty much guarantee you’ll like the film. Some people might have thought that the mixture between philosophical and deep issues and exhilarating action wouldn’t work, but in The Matrix, it’s a perfect blend. The performances are all good – although, like I said before, Keanu Reeves is not precisely expressive -, the special effects are flawless, the screenplay is intelligent and witty and profound, the direction and style is superb, and, overall, the film is amazingly satisfying. It’s definitely one of the most influential and enjoyable science fictions films ever released. A real treat.