The Matrix Review
by Ken Pierce (capnken AT my-dejanews DOT com)April 8th, 1999
The following review is supplied by www.dvdfuture.com
Directors: Larry & Andy Wachowski
Writers: Larry & Andy Wachowski
Producer: Joel Silver
Studio: Warner Brothers
Characters:
Keanu Reeves - Neo
Laurence Fishburne - Morpheus
Carrie-Anne Moss - Trinity
Joe Pantoliano - Cypher
Hugo Weaving - Agent Smith
Review: Well, The Matrix has to be one of the most difficult reviews I've ever had the pleasure of writing. I say "difficult", because it's an incredibly difficult movie to critique without giving away too much of the plot. Like so many movies which have intricate, weaving plotlines, a lot of the fun is watching the twists and turns unfold. As such, I will not go into a long explanation of what The Matrix is about, but will instead talk about some of the hits and misses for this film.
First and foremost, I expected a lot from this film. I should say out front, though, that the filmmakers' previous effort, Bound, did not impress me at all. I thought it was pretty standard fare, and suffered from a plot line which dragged intensely at some points. Still, though, there was certainly a dramatic flair, and a touch for those things odd. This is what excited me about The Matrix, I didn't expect it to be standard fare, and I was right.
The Matrix is a movie that almost everyone can enjoy. I've heard some older critics complain that the soundtrack is too loud, but I found it fit the look and feel of the movie perfectly. This movie has the same art director as Dark City, and it shows. It also shares more than a few plot elements with Dark City, but goes places Dark City should've gone. The Matrix owes a lot to Dark City and Terminator, but in most ways expands upon the ideas presented in those films. I would have to say that The Matrix is much better than Dark City, and (here is a huge compliment) as good as The Terminator. This movie will be a science-fiction/action film classic.
First the pros: The art direction, set design and special effects are outstanding. As is Carrie-Ann Moss as Trinity, Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith and Joe Pantoliano as Cypher. The action sequences are incredibly well filmed, and the movie clips along at an incredible pace. Warner Brothers gets bonus points for not giving away the whole freakin' movie in the trailer. Most of the "COOL!" shots in the trailer take place in the first three to five minutes of the film (!), there's a LOT more here than the trailer shows. The plot line is beautifully intricate, and keeps you guessing at various points in the movie. It has a tendency to go left when you expect to go right, except when you start to expect it to go left, then it goes right. Great stuff!
The cons: Keanu Reeves is (as usual), quite wooden. I can't offer a better casting suggestion, because quite frankly, his "look" is perfect for this film. Still, though, I think any director using Reeves in future projects would be wise to avoid having his character use the phrases "NO WAY!" or "WHOA!". Flashbacks to Bill and Ted are inevitable at points. Surprisingly, I found Laurence Fishburne to be somewhat wooden at the beginning of his performance. He seemed to get more into it as the movie progressed, but I have come to expect more of him. Also, there is a series of three rear-projection shots used in the film which look absolutely terrible. You'll know the shots I refer to when you see them. I suspect this wasn't re-shot because of the relatively small budget for a film of this type($63-68 million). Last, and definitely least, I found the sound mix to be a little underwhelming. The theatre I saw the movie in was Dolby Digital equipped, and I found the directional effects limited and the low frequency range muted. It wasn't terrible, it just seemed like it wasn't "enough". The next time I see this movie (and I will be seeing it again, probably later this weekend), we plan on going to The Coliseum here in town. The cinema it is playing in at the Coliseum is THX certified, and if my opinion of the sound mix changes I will let you know. <NOTE: I went to see the film again, this time in a THX certified theatre. The sound mix was significantly better, but still nothing fantastic.>
That's it! It doesn't tell you much, I know, but I don't want to go into specifics for fear of spoiling the movie. All I can really say is "go see it." You won't be disappointed. This movie kicks some serious ass, and is the best action film I've seen in a long time. It has a complex, but still coherent plot, and relatively few plot holes considering the gaping possibilities that were opened. Great stuff, and I hope the rest of 1999 is this good!
Go see it. Period.
Ken Pierce
Contributing Editor, www.dvdfuture.com
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