Thomas "Neo" Anderson – Keanu Reeves (Bill and Ted, Speed)
Morpheus – Laurence Fishburne (What’s Love Got To Do with It, Event Horizon)
Trinity – Carrie-Anne Moss (TV’s Models Inc.)
Agent Smith – Hugo Weaving (Adventures of Priscilla:Queen of The Desert)
Cypher – Joe Pantoliano (Bad Boys, Bound)

Directors: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski

Writers: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski

When you classify a movie, it will usually fall into clear-cut categories. Action, comedy, romance, drama, horror, sci-fi and then the offshoots which combine any of those two together. Go to your local video store and check out the sections for further clarification. Every so often, a movie comes along that does not really fall into a clear-cut category, but rather overlaps several. This can have good or bad repercussions. If done well, it becomes a multi-layered moviegoing experience. However, if done badly, never focusing, it becomes a movie in search of an identity.

The Wachowski brothers’ sophomore effort, Matrix, defies a simple definition in those words. Upon viewing the preview, you think sci-fi but there is so much more here. Action, martial arts, thriller, even social drama with a message, all of these elements can be thrown into the mix of attempting to describe this movie. Matrix isn’t easy to describe in words, rather, it must be seen, and experienced, in order to grasp the full scope of it. I thought, all the way home, about words, and ideas, to express to you what I thought, and I came up with some. But in all actuality, you should really see this movie, in order to clearly understand what I am trying to say.

This is 2/3 of a truly powerful, visual, and thought-provoking message. Unfortunately, the ending degrades slightly into a typical Hollywood chase and shoot em up, but in no way does this take away from the masterful message that this movie presents

The question is asked, in the previews, and early on in the movie, what is the Matrix? Well, I cannot tell you here, because part of the joy and power of the film is that explanation. This much I can tell you though. Keanu Reeves, who combining the characters from one of his best performances (Speed) with one of his worst (Johnny Mnemonic) into a cyber every man. He’s a software designer by day, but a notorious computer hacker by night. He is a believer in controlling your own life, rather than relying on fate and has been searching for what the Matrix actually is. As the story begins, he starts to get his answers. What follows, is the journey that his life takes in this discovery. I cannot divulge anymore, one of the sheer pleasures here is discovering, along with Reeves, what it all really means. The explanation is clear, understandable, with some thought required, patiently unraveled before your eyes, never rushing, nor dragging out too long.

Filmmakers in the past few years have been trying to instill a sense of paranoia it seems, by showing us the alternatives to what we know as reality, and forcing us to question everything around us. Movies such as last years wonderful Dark City show us a vision of the future, and its effect on the now. In essence, we are shown that things may not always be what they seem.

The messenger of this reality here is Morpheus, a soft-spoken, but coolly confident computer hacker played by Laurence Fishburne (what a long long way from Pee Wee’s Playhouse indeed). He calmly explains, and then shows Reeves, what the Matrix is, and how it affects all lives around. This is done through some truly stunning special effects. All around, this is a joy to watch. The stop action, slow motion, and rotating camera angles (think Gap commercials), give a futuristic view, to the deep messages being put forth. Cinematographer Bill Pope (who also created the intense vision of Bound) shows that a big budget and bigger toys hasn’t corrupted his talent. He seems to be able to do the best with what he given, big, or small. Also, the martial arts fight scenes are to die for, combined with the action scenes, and smart scripting, somewhere, John Woo must be shaking in his boots.

I heard that all of the actors did their own fighting, and stunts. Kudos to them, and the fight choreographer. Even doses of humor, intentional or not, appear in the conclusion here (look for Ted "Theodore" Logan to make a brief appearance on a rooftop). Also, look for references/tributes to Alice in Wonderland, The Terminator, and those old Dodge City westerns, which only add to this movies charm and power

Reeves has finally realized that he does best, when he doesn’t try to act, but rather be natural and conform to the action and environment around him. Standing out in the support here, is Moss, a relative newcomer whose role could’ve used a little padding, but who makes the best of what she’s given, by showing that she’s no girlie girl when it comes to hangin with the big boys. Also, Hugo Weaving, as a calm, slowly articulate, but menacing, MIB gone bad, will send chills down your spine with monotonous, yet haunting tone and presence. I kind of wished that Pantoliano (also from Bound, hey, if it ain’t broke, why try and fix it) was given more to do though, his sarcasm-laced wit is always enjoyable to watch, and he’s given some good lines here, but not enough.

The Wachowski brothers, whose first movie was the gripping, intense Bound, got some more money and didn’t let it go to their head thus surpassing the sophomore jinx. They have again shown their ability to grab hold of your attention, compel you, and keep you watching until the very last second. They start with the opening sequence, an intelligent, and intense chase scene and from then on, they have you, and never let up. They never deluge you with too much, but also never leave you hungry, or bored with what you’re given. It is a shame however, that they couldn’t finish the movie as strongly as they started it. The ending, is a sort of conglomerate of chase scenes, bullets, and some stretches in storyline, utilizing everything that you’ve been given before. Could it have been done better, well, yeah, a little, but not much. Who am I to tell anyone who can put something like this on screen, how to make a movie.