The Matrix Reviews

Choose the red pill, all of you....

Imagine it. You wake up, and everything you know to be true is a lie. Your life, your home, your job, your money, it's all nothing. The reality is that the world is a wasteland, where humans are an endangered species struggling to stay alive (ala 'Terminator'), being fed to machines. Well, that my friends is what 'the Matrix' is all about.

All the hype, all the controversy you've heard about it, it's all justified. This is a revolutionary film. It has already become a pop-culture phenomenon and has been parodied and copied by so many films. At the young age of 4 years old, 'the Matrix' is already a classic. The special effects are the major breakthrough. Not since 'Terminator 2' and 'Jurassic Park' have audiences seen something this amazing. The only thing I can fault this movie on is the dialogue, which most people don't go to see anyways. The characters in this movie seem a little wooden at times, and the dialogue is written to basically set up the next scene. For example, Trinity was supposed to be in love with Neo, but did we, the audience, ever feel the connection? Things like this aren't justified in the writing, but the movie more than makes up for these minor faults in other ways.

The great thing about this movie is that, as long as it is, it's relentless. It never gives up. Rarely breaking or pausing. It's a full on assault on your senses. To see this movie in all it's glory is on the big screen. I first caught it when it came out in theatres, and I thought my face was going to melt. It's what I like to call an intelligent pop-corn flick. This is the 'Star Wars' for our generation

One of the worst films i have ever seen.

could not believe it. i was really looking forward to it after seeing lots of positive reviews about it.

i just cannot understand how anyone can say anything good about it.

what a waste of time.

CLASSIC - shame about the next two!

This film has been in my top 5 films of all time for so long now (I'm only 29 so cant go back as far as some of you!) that it simply has to be 5 stars. The ideas and cinematics in this film at the time of release were astonishing. So much so that numerous movies since have ripped off fight moves and film scenes that are now instantly recognisable.

This ended up being the first of three but I have to say that they are simply awful and so disappointing to a fan of the first one that I have actually never watched this one again since!

If you've never seen this, what planet have you been on?!?

A must see.

Most over rated film since the Blair Witch

No characterisation, within twenty minutes of the film you won't care who lives or dies

Hideous acting (has Keanu actually been good in anything that wasn't Bill & Ted?)

Two twists, one you won't believe for a second, one that they give away before it happens

Lack of any real plot

Fails to create the sort of amazingly atmospheric scenes that a film like this should

There is NO suspense at any point during the film

Ideas stolen from elsewhere and pimped as being groundbreaking

But hey, it's not all bad, it looks nice, right?

if you likes films that look nice this is for you, if you like films that are good and don't need something to be surrounded by a whole load of hype for you to watch them then avoid this like the plague.

Special effects, excellent, everything else, dire, with a whole bunch of ideas that had been done before, and better, forget how it looks for a moment and there's really nothing there.

sent me to sleep

this film bored me out of my mind i dont understand why people reckon this film is any good urm beats me

Watch it again

This is one of those films that you can probably get a PhD in in America.

A totally 'important' film, which changed our idea of action films for good, and really bears re-watching. If you haven't seen it for a while, watch it again -- better than all the rip-off slo-mo karate action films that have followed it. And arguably better than the sequel, Matrix Reloaded, as well.

[Highly rated reviewer]

It took George Lucas over two decades to ruin his baby. The Kawaskis buggered theirs in a couple of years. It is so unfortunate that the latter two Matrix movies detract somewhat from the original masterpiece. Morphus is actually COOL in this one, rather than the pretentious nobhead that spouts iritating playground philosophy. Still, if there is anyone left in the western hemisphere who has not seen this film they are in for a treat.

1998? No it wasnt - Was it?

As far as I remember it was 1999 it was made. Anyway, 1999 should have been remembered for a little known prequel which has had audiences waiting since 1983 - Star Wars? Just when you think Hollywood has regurgitated the same old nonsense for so long that its forgot what actually can make a good film, along comes The Matrix. I remember reading about it and seeing pictures. It looked ok, nothing special, I didnt even know what it was about when I saw it the first time. As soon as I came out of the pictures with my 2 mates, we just looked at each other and said.....'Whoah'. Visually stunning, beautiful matrial arts sequences, intruiging characters makes this film a totally engrossing experience. If you haven't already seen this.....then where the HELL have you been. Get it - Now!

[Highly rated reviewer]

The Matrix

I really didn't understand this film, despite having it explained to me several times. This is very much a boys film, although I do know some girls who like it. I wouldn't say it was a bad film, just not really understandable.

The most overrated film of recent times

Without spoiling the plot, all you need to know before watching The Matrix is that it is about a computer hacker on the wrong side of the law who, for reasons unbeknownst to him, is being chased not only by a mysterious underground organisation but also by the government. The film’s central premise (which I won’t spoil) is actually very clever, but is drowned out by an over convoluted script, too much half baked pretentious philosophy and umpteen ridiculously over the top action scenes. The cinematography is very professional, with the film being shot in a very dark manner, rather reminiscent of the Cyber Punk game, but this alone can’t save it. Throughout The Matrix, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was somehow watching a live action version of a Manga film, which may sound appealing to some, until you realise that there is actually a very good reason why Manga films are animated and don’t feature real actors………..BECAUSE THE SIGHT OF REAL ACTORS DODGING GUNFIRE BY A CAT’S WHISKER AND DEFLECTING BULLETS WITH THEIR BARE HANDS LOOKS ABSOLUTELY BLOODY RIDCULOUS! This film was released at the end of the 90’s to much hype and acclaim but I’m really glad I saw it 8 years on, after the hype had died down, because I feel it’s allowed me to view it more objectively. If nothing else, The Matrix is proof that, if you market a film as “stylish” to 18-21 year old dateless males, you’ll always have a chance of raking in the money at the box office, no matter how poor the final product is. If I absolutely had to recommend this film to someone, I’d either recommend it to martial arts fans for the over the top fighting scenes, or to computer nerds living the delusion that the escape from their meaningless life is only an e-mail away. One of the many messages trying to escape from this mess of a film was that you should always question what is presented to you as reality, well I for one am going to take that on board and question the sanity of the people who raved about this excuse for a film when it first came out. Surely the most overrated film of recent times.