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Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster ... see more see more... , Joe Pantoliano , Marcus Chong , Paul Goddard , Robert Taylor , Julian "Sonny" Arahanga , Matt Doran , Belinda McClory , Anthony Ray Parker , Robert Taylor (VII)

What if virtual reality wasn't just for fun, but was being used to imprison you? That's the dilemma that faces mild-mannered computer jockey Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix. It's the year... read more read more... 1999, and Anderson (hacker alias: Neo) works in a cubicle, manning a computer and doing a little hacking on the side. It's through this latter activity that Thomas makes the acquaintance of Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who has some interesting news for Mr. Anderson -- none of what's going on around him is real. The year is actually closer to 2199, and it seems Thomas, like most people, is a victim of The Matrix, a massive artificial intelligence system that has tapped into people's minds and created the illusion of a real world, while using their brains and bodies for energy, tossing them away like spent batteries when they're through. Morpheus, however, is convinced Neo is "The One" who can crack open The Matrix and bring his people to both physical and psychological freedom. The Matrix is the second feature film from the sibling writer/director team of Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski, who made an impressive debut with the stylish erotic crime thriller Bound. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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81% liked it

31,759,302 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

129 critics

R, 2 hr. 16 min.

Directed by: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski

Release Date: March 31, 1999

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DVD Release Date: September 21, 1999

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Stats: 1,306,374 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,306,374)

  • CloudStrife84
    March 24, 2013
    CloudStrife84
    Cool, groundbreaking, mind-twisting and simply phenomenal! A landmark science fiction masterpiece, that set a whole new standard for out-of-the-box film-making. Keanu Reeves may be dryer than a stick under the scorching California sun, but I still think he was one of the greatest... read more of all possible casting choices for Neo. The true scene-stealer of the film, however, is the mesmerizingly brilliant Hugo Weaving, as the chilling and calculative Agent Smith. He isn't the typical villain, but an extremely intelligent baddie, whose every utterance is a fascinating piece of his multi-faceted, yet cold-hearted mind. Of course, the real crowd-drawer here though, is the visually spectacular special effects. At the time of release, they made everything that came before it virtually obsolete. While it isn't a perfect creation (no movie truly is), it's still pretty much as close as you can get. A personal favourite of mine, whose mind-blowing concoction of philosophy, martial arts and top-of-the-line SFX, makes it one of the most awesome film experiences ever. Now, the question remains: Will you take the red pill or the blue pill?

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  • garyX
    January 3, 2013
    garyX
    A computer hacker who is unsatisfied with his life is contacted by a mysterious stranger who reveals to him that the "real world" is in fact a computer generated simulation designed to subjugate the human race. The most striking aspect of The Matrix is obviously its visuals; high... read morely influenced by the wire work of Asian cinema, the Wachowski brothers cranked it up another level by creatively using computer software to pretty much perfect the action sequence. The mix of fetish wear, brilliantly designed cyber punk technology and super cool actors (both Reeves and Fishburne were catapulted into mega-stardom by this film) makes for an audio visual cocktail that influenced virtually every film that followed. But for me it is the simple but brilliant concept that is the real strength of The Matrix, which marries all the favourite themes of sci-fi. The Messianistic super hero, technophobia, conspiracy theory and prophecy all combine to make a thrilling story which creates the perfect structure in which the hero can perform fantastic feats without compromising narrative logic. It still looks good more than a decade later and is two solid hours of pure, adrenaline-fuelled entertainment. A stone cold classic.
  • fb100000212943704
    August 13, 2012
    fb100000212943704
    Underwhelming in its action sequences, and its philosophical themes, 'The Matrix' is simply a dull piece of cinema.

    Telling an unoriginal story of a world where we are really controlled, and reality is a lie, 'The Matrix' brings together the 'wonderful' talents of Keanu Reeves p... read morelaying a computer hacker who discovers that reality is all false.

    Written and directed by the Wachowski brothers, the film has been heralded for its visual effects, of which it should be. The incredible achievements of the film in the special effects cinematic arena will and should, stand for generations as a pinpoint of cinematic history.

    Only in that field however. Whilst the effects may wow, and occasional moments of interesting cinematography may hold your interest, the film drags and drapes throughout the majority of its running time.

    The action scenes, which the brother directors said were inspired by John Woo and other's Hong Kong heroic bloodshed films, do not live anywhere close up to their standard. Apart from a few famous and bold moves, the action is quite like any other standard from the time and from today. It is not special, nor impressive, let alone revolutionary.

    Indeed, the very themes and hidden religious subject matter which the film sets out to explore in a more accessible blockbuster format, are tainted and disrespected by the cast and crew.

    Keanu Reeves leads the charge with his most shocking performance to date. It is not underplayed, it is not delicately done, Reeves acting skills are simply not up to the task of this film, or any film like it.

    But spare a thought to Laurence Fishburne, the only shining light from this, save the excellent visual effects. For those two things, 'The Matrix' must be praised. For the rest, it should not. Why this film is heralded as a modern day classic or masterpiece is beyond me. Instead all I can see is a disappointing and dull two and a quarter hours.
  • fb100001493964409
    August 7, 2012
    fb100001493964409
    Um... Yeah. I finally saw this, and it's all right. It's certainly a massive innovator in visual effects, I'll give it that much. But beyond that, it's pretty good. While the action scenes are tightly executed and some of the best in the business, the rest of the movie is merely ... read moreall right. I don't know how to feel about this one, for all the hype everyone gives it, I suppose it lives up to the hype? I honestly am kind of baffled by the huge following for this movie. Putting William Gibson/Philip K. Dick style themes into what is essentially a Honk Kong action movie is certainly an interesting idea, I can't help but feel like the execution could have been just a bit smoother. This mostly falls on the burden of the actors, who are usually good in this film, except for one: Keanu Reeves. He's really bad in this movie, with the only time he shows emotion being during the dojo sequence where he grins at Morpheus and briefly imitates Bruce Lee. In any case, pretty good movie, just don't go in thinking it'll be a sci-fi masterpiece.
  • edfilmreviews
    July 31, 2012
    edfilmreviews
    Groundbreaking. Intense. Intelligent. "The Matrix" is one of the greatest action films ever made. The ideas presented are original and the story keeps you engaged. The action scenes are some of the best in cinematic history. Neo is a great protagonist and we really see him change... read more throughout the film as he comes to terms with his purpose. Highly recommend.
  • fb1442511448
    July 27, 2012
    fb1442511448
    A film that makes you question things from beginning to end but yet still makes it satisfying for you. A dark and mesmerizing direction is what the Wachowski Bros. undertook in the development of this crafty film. It's main stars provided action and emotion that is simply masterf... read moreul. 4.5/5
  • fb619846742
    July 2, 2012
    fb619846742
    A well-done, original, philosophical slam-bang thriller concerning a computer hacker (Keanu Reeves) who is sucked into an alternative universe by mysterious figures who believe he is the answer to many of their questions, while he questions what is real and what his role on earth... read more is. Reeves stoic, cool expression that he keeps on his face makes him perfect for the part, as he just looks effortlessly relaxed while he takes part of some of the sickest, revolutionary action sequences in the history of film. Sure, it goes a little crazy in its last third and puts the philosophy to hell during an intense conclusion, but the first two-thirds of the movie build appropriately to an eye-popping finale. Flawed to a degree, but still very rewatchable and an irrefutable cult classic deserving of its status.
  • emilkakko
    July 1, 2012
    emilkakko
    When The Matrix was released back in the late nineties it was hailed as a something new and something unique. And sure, stylistically it was something we had never seen with all it's ideas of people being used as a sort of cocoons in a dystopia where machines run everything and e... read morespecially for those famous bullet-time effects.
    First time when i saw it i liked it, but i was also 18-years old back then. Nowdays it is just silly and laughably badly written fantasy with corny dialogue and bad acting. This film has always been more about posing, loud pop-music and "cool" gun-fights, than film of good ideas or truly philosophical questions. It is a film for teenagers that yearn for loud and brainless slow-motion boosted action.
    Keanu Reeves has always been a weak actor and even in a role where he is supposed to do nothing but look cool he stumbles. When he delivers his "whoa!" every now and then it is quite honestly pretty impossible to not feel embarrasment for him. Carrie Ann-Moss and Laurence Fishburne are lot more credible but even they cannot do much with material this thin.
    All the effects are stunning and the production value is without a doubt quite high, but this is nothing but a brainless entertainment mostly aimed for video-game generation.
  • hobster1
    May 22, 2012
    hobster1
    The Matrix didn't invent a new vocabulary. Hong Kong action cinema is clearly the inspiration for the martial arts fighting for example. There's allusions to comic books and Japanese animation as well. That's not its legacy. The point is that The Matrix so perfectly adapted many ... read moredivergent notions into an exhilarating unified science fiction and then brought these ideas to the masses. By and large, this is a dazzling work. Now and then the human destiny presented here can be pretty icky. There are visions of human life in which biology and technology intermingle in a way so unsettling it would give David Cronenberg pause. And Keanu Reeves surfer dude accent can be unintentionally funny. But I suppose that's part of the film's charm. One thrilling set piece after another impresses with such artistic zeal and excitement, it more than makes up for the narrative's occasional lapses in clarity. The Matrix is the inspiring realization of the Wachowski brothers' imagination made real - their self acknowledged understanding of a live action anime fulfilled.
  • superclerk25
    March 19, 2012
    superclerk25
    Pretty good action

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Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
June 5, 2007
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A must-see among genre fans, especially guys in their teens and 20s, for whom the script's pretentious mumbo-jumbo of undergraduate mythology, religious mysticism and technobabble could even be a plus... Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
June 5, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

There's not much humor to keep it all life-size, and by the final stretch it's become bloated, mechanical, and tiresome. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Another slice of overlong, high concept hokum. Full Review

Ray Conlogue
April 25, 2003
Ray Conlogue, Globe and Mail

For those who have been waiting for movies to catch up with the graphic possibilities of comic books, wait no longer: The Matrix is among us. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The Matrix soars with its feet in the air -- the rest crash-lands.

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

An apocalypse of kinetic joy. Full Review

Jay Carr
January 1, 2000
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Silly and dense!

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Matrix did not bore me. It interested me so much, indeed, that I wanted to be challenged even more. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The movie is kinetic, atmospheric, visually stunning, and mind-bending. Full Review

Rod Dreher
January 1, 2000
Rod Dreher, New York Post

A more technically dazzling synthesis of action choreography and cutting-edge computer graphics has not been seen since James Cameron's T2.

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    • Agent Smith: I'm going to be honest with you [takes off glasses and ear-piece]. I hate this place, this zoo, this prison, this reality, whatever you want to call it. I can't stand it any longer. It's the smell, if there is such a thing. I feel saturated by it. I can taste your stink, and every time I do I fear that I have somehow been infected by it. It's repulsive! Isn't it? [violently grabs Morpheus's head] I must get out of here. I must get free, and in this mind is the key, my key!
    • Agent Smith: In one life you're Thomas A. Anderson, program writer for a respectable software company. You have a social security number, you pay your taxes, and you (dramatic pause) help your landlady carry out her garbage.
    • Trinity: Dodge this.
    • Trinity: Neo, no one has ever done anything like this.
    • Neo: I know, that's why it's going to work.
    • Neo: I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
    • Neo: I thought it wasn't real.
    • Morpheus: Your mind makes it real.
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  • Which movie has this tagline : " What is The Matrix ? " ?  Answer »
  • "There is no spoon" Name the movie where that sentence was said.  Answer »
  • "The best thing about being me. There are so many me's." Which film in the MAtrix Trillogy is this quote from?  Answer »
  • ***What Movie Is This Tagline From "Reality Is A Thing Of The Past."***  Answer »
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