4/10/99
The Matrix stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith, Gloria Foster as Oracle, Joe Pantoliano as Cypher, Marcus Chong as Tank, Julian Arahanga as Apo, Matt Doran as Mouse, Belinda Mcclory as Switch, and Ray Anthony Parker as Dozer.
The Matrix starts out in a slow confusing manner. We are treated to reiterative sequences of Keanu Reeves dreaming and waking up inside another dream. The Matrix actually starts at the birth or awakening of Neo from the Matrix. It's nod-off time until we get to that point. The premise of this film is new, however, the scenes in this movie we have seen before in a dozen other movies from Enter the Dragon to 12 Monkeys. This film should be put into a new category, Sci-Fu. The Matrix is a Virtual Reality for humans kept as power and heat generators in stasis pods. The humans are recycled when they die as food. (Soylent Green) Some are rescued by other humans that have escaped the Matrix and live in Zion.
The rest of the film is Neo becoming the Messiah (Gospel according to Luke). The humans plug back into the Matrix to fight security programs. (Tron) Of course there is a traitor along with a lot of action.
The Matrix is a refreshing new idea, but it is not exploited in this film. There are too many Kung Fu sequences for a Sci-Fi film. The filmakers have borrowed from every story and film that has any Sci-Fi elements. Alice in Wonderland is borrowed from very heavily. If you are not a Sci-Fi/Action junkie this may not be the film for you.
I give it 3 out of 5 capsules: