Rating: Summary: very poor dvd quality Review: even if the movie was fun watching, the digital transfer on dvd was very poor. the flesh tones were very yellow even after calibrating the tv with video essentials dvd.
Rating: Summary: Science fiction anyone can love! Review: Even if you're not a staunch sci-fi fan, oh, GOD, have you got to see the Matrix! You'll have to see it twice! I'm hooked...it makes you THINK about things you can't imagine any human being ever fantasizing before. Just see it, it's beyond words.
Rating: Summary: Matrix is consumed best on DVD Review: Even if you've seen this movie at the theater, buy the DVD. Here's why: The extras included on the DVD set a new standard for what every new movie SHOULD include with the more expensive DVD (unlike Titanic). The commentaries are great & enlightening. My two kids (boy-10 & girl-7) both love watching this movie over & over, especially the "behind the scenes" information.
Rating: Summary: Is SIX stars too much to ask for? Review: Even the way in which the Village Roadshow logo appears at the beginning of the screening is good! Carrie Anne Moss starts the movie with a solid and heavy act, clearing her way through four groups of guys(agents)in suits to jump from building to building. Seeing the making to the film on the DVD and to know how the produced special effects of its kind does not at all destroy the way I look at the movie at all. As much as I love the movie, Keanu does slightly overact and Carrie Anne Moss goes a bit over the top aswell. Laurence Fishbourne does an accurate job as 'Morphious' in what to me is definately the best sci-fi film ever made(and the Star Wars films are sci-fi)There is a storyline, although I must admit that it does drag on a bit, but we are rewarded with more than expected special effects which in its style has never been seen before in Hollywood(the world)The effects are packed throughout the entire film in a very clever way. My personal favourite is where Neo(Reeves)dodges bullets fired by an agent on the enemy side to the Morpious team. The blockbuster has a fair soundtrack to go with the film which contains extinct matrix tunes, which now you hear on television commercials, movie trailors and on tv. Face it, we've never seen anything like it before! The matrix will surely bring a lot of ideas into the minds of new and future directors and scriptwriters. The sequel is something to look forward to. The only worry I'm having now is that they don't ruin the feeling with a bad sequel.
Rating: Summary: The BEST Sci-Fi Movie I've Ever Seen! Review: Even though I love movies of every shape and size, I never thought of myself as the type to gush dramatically over a flick. But let me tell you--the Matrix literally made me drool! I've read some of the other reviews here at Amazon, and I'm so surprised by the poor reviews. I'm sure we all agree that Keanu Reeves is not the best actor on the planet. I like some of his movies, and dislike others. Yet I cannot imagine any other actor in the role of Neo. He was perfect! He and the rest of the cast were ... words cannot describe. What a movie! What a concept! I've never seen anything like it!! I especially liked the still/moving action sequences--and the kung fu fighting scenes. What an ending!!!! I loved walking out of the theater excited, thinking about how Neo stopped those bullets, and talking about this great movie with my husband on the way home in the car. How could any science fiction lover not be absolutely mesmerized by this movie?
Rating: Summary: Moviemaking enters the 21st century Review: Even though The Matrix was released in 1999, it can easily be considered the first motion picture of the twenty-first century, a movie unlike any that had come before. This was the DVD that, upon its release, many of us bought in order to see just how good our new DVD players could be. The special effects, with an exception or two, were unprecedented in terms of their scope, style, and presentation at the time, and the somewhat complex plot managed to capture the imagination of untold numbers of movie goers. Combining science fiction, action, and adventure in an entirely new way, The Matrix was nothing if not exceedingly cool. For once, I will not dwell on the plot; it is hard to explain, and those who know nothing about it can easily find summaries of it. I will say, however, that I'm a little surprised that so many people embraced this movie with open arms because the plot is somewhat ambiguous, and the ending seemed to invite the possibility of a sequel without coming right out and announcing that it would happen. I find similarities between this movie and Vanilla Sky in this regard, yet many who were totally confused by the latter film seem to embrace this one. Laurence Fishburne was the real star of this movie, in my opinion, bringing life to Morpheus in such a way that made the convoluted plot seem plausible; a lesser actor in that role could have doomed The Matrix, no matter how incredible the special effects were. Carrie-Anne Moss also blessed the character of Trinity with a humanity that enriches the film. Keanu Reeves overcomes a couple of what I like to call David Schwimmer moments early on and grows into the type of hero this movie demands. As for the special effects, I found them exceedingly good but perhaps a tad overrated. The early "mouth" effect, for example, was shockingly unimpressive, and the slow motion wave-like movement of bullets toward the end looks a little hokey to me; everything else was impressive indeed, though, particularly the famous jumps and helicopter sequence. One of the really nice extras available on the DVD is the feature on the making of The Matrix. While it takes a tiny little something away from the movie to see how those acrobatic jumps and fight scenes were filmed, one cannot but be deeply impressed by the level of commitment of the actors in terms of their months-long preparation and training. The movie commentary offers more insight into the movie, and the music-only audio track is also a nice touch. When I first dove in to the DVD owner pool, The Matrix instantly became the movie by which all of my DVDs were judged. As time marches on, this has changed a little bit, but age should only enhance the fascination of movie lovers with this very impressive, unique, and extraordinarily cool film that heralded a brand new century in movie-making.
Rating: Summary: Paradoxes? Ideas? Explanations to Life? All in this movie Review: Ever thought about why things are the way they are? Ever thought about things that happened that weren't suppose to happen? If you've thought about it, this movie is your answer! This movie, is THE best movie, I have ever seen, so far. Technology, philosophy, and theocracy (sort of) all rolled up into one...wow...BUY IT!
Rating: Summary: Reality? You can't handle reality! Review: Ever wanted to be important, to live a life that matters? Well take a look at "The Matrix" because it starts with the premise that we are all living pointless lives, slaves to frighteningly powerful beings that prevent everyone from knowing their true state. Here enters the myth. There will come a redeemer, who will see through all deception and become the perfect warrior in mankind's cause. He will be the "ONE".
I don't know what possessed the Wachowski brothers to turn a borderline successful comic book idea into a sixty million dollar extravaganza. But WOW! I'm so glad they did. Talk about entertainment, this film keeps your butt firmly on the edge of your seat and your jaw on the floor. The action is intense, the plot is multi-layered and the effects are sumptuous. I should also point out that for a cast that knows little about martial arts, (a few months training prior to the filming), they sure can fake it. You will believe a man can fly.
Science fiction has explored the implications of virtual reality fairly thoroughly over the past two decades. From Steven Lisberger's "Tron" to Star Trek's "Holo Deck", we're well versed on the idea that the virtual will some day rival the actual. With The Matrix however, it is all brought together into a frightening whole. At times you will wonder about your own reality... what if?
But then, we don't need to wonder, because it's laid out clear and sharp on the big screen. Imagine a world were the entire population lives in jelly filled pods, jacked into a simulation as real as God's imagination. Except for a few "naturals", who have either been born outside of the Matrix or brought out, the populous goes about their angst filled lives, little knowing how pointless it all is. Talk about an existentialist's wet dream. But what of those non-conformists on the outside?
We meet them through Neo, a corporate neophyte and part time hacker. The powers-that-be have turned their attention to young Neo, (Keanu Reeves), not for his illegal computer hobbies but because the mysterious Morpheus, leader of the underground, has shown an interest in him. Thus commences Neo's fall into wonderland and as with Alice, there are strange creatures, confusing situations and rulers who seem keen to take his head.
Dragged kicking and screaming out of the Matrix and into the real world, Neo learns the truth and finds he now has the responsibility of saving the world, thrust on his sculpted shoulders. He's not alone though, Morpheus and the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar (a strange and futuristic vessel that is their real world home), are just as keen to reclaim the planet. Morpheous becomes Neo's mentor, teaching him the skills he needs to do battle with the master machines. Their evil face is expressed within the Matrix in the form of seemingly invulnerable Agents. And all Neo has to do, is the impossible... with a little love on the side. Perfect!
Rating: Summary: Open your eyes copper top! Review: Ever wanted to be important, to live a life that matters? Well take a look at "The Matrix" because it starts with the premise that we are all living pointless lives, slaves to frighteningly powerful beings that prevent everyone from knowing their true state. Here enters the myth. There will come a redeemer, who will see through all deception and become the perfect warrior in mankind's cause. He will be the "ONE". I don't know what possessed the Wachowski brothers to turn a borderline successful comic book idea into a sixty million dollar extravaganza. But WOW! I'm so glad they did. Talk about entertainment, this film keeps your butt firmly on the edge of your seat and your jaw on the floor. The action is intense, the plot is multi-layered and the effects are sumptuous. I should also point out that for a cast that knows little about martial arts, (a few months training prior to the filming), they sure can fake it. You will believe a man can fly. Science fiction has explored the implications of virtual reality fairly thoroughly over the past two decades. From Steven Lisberger's "Tron" to Star Trek's "Holo Deck", we're well versed on the idea that the virtual will some day rival the actual. With The Matrix however, it is all brought together into a frightening whole. At times you will wonder about your own reality... what if? But then, we don't need to wonder, because it's laid out clear and sharp on the big screen. Imagine a world were the entire population lives in jelly filled pods, jacked into a simulation as real as God's imagination. Except for a few "naturals", who have either been born outside of the Matrix or brought out, the populous goes about their angst filled lives, little knowing how pointless it all is. Talk about an existentialist's wet dream. But what of those non-conformists on the outside? We meet them through Neo, a corporate neophyte and part time hacker. The powers-that-be have turned their attention to young Neo, (Keanu Reeves), not for his illegal computer hobbies but because the mysterious Morpheus, leader of the underground, has shown an interest in him. Thus commences Neo's fall into wonderland and as with Alice, there are strange creatures, confusing situations and rulers who seem keen to take his head. Dragged kicking and screaming out of the Matrix and into the real world, Neo learns the truth and finds he now has the responsibility of saving the world, thrust on his sculpted shoulders. He's not alone though, Morpheus and the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar (a strange and futuristic vessel that is their real world home), are just as keen to reclaim the planet. Morpheous becomes Neo's mentor, teaching him the skills he needs to do battle with the master machines. Their evil face is expressed within the Matrix in the form of seemingly invulnerable Agents. And all Neo has to do, is the impossible... with a little love on the side. Perfect!
Rating: Summary: Worth 500 Stars, our generation's Blade Runner Review: Every decade or so, a phenomenal science fiction film emerges that transcends the traditional "Oh, but it's sci-fi" barrier. In the last few years, the media, the X-files, a lying president, Television Warfare, MTV-culture, and the internet have the solopstic scenario of The Matrix possible. Look about you, 5000 people are dead in Turkey. What does this number mean? It's baseless to us - another cipher on the evening news. The same as Vietnam's kill ratio: "What does it mean? What does it measure?" Only the absurdity of our modern time. The fact is, The Matrix is already here - and kiddies, there's no way out. But that's reality, to the movie - Rich, dark, and complex, The Matrix weaves Biblical references, Homeric allusions (compare Odysseus and Telemakhos' shootout vs. the suiters and Neo & Trinity's finale assault), post-Structruralist ontology, and a visual poetry unlike anything seen before. It's like Beethoven's passionate symphonies, Hegel's conquering Spirit, the final scenes of Faust. It is a phoenix borne of the massive weight of it's own message. I can't express how wonderful the film is - metaphor fails. Perhaps the best part of The Matrix is that it gives voice to the underlying tensions of this era. As we approach "The Millennium" (or to those familiar with Baudrillard [Author of Simulacra and Simulation - where Neo keeps his cash] we could say the "sign" of The Millennium), many have become aware of an edgy nexus where something about us or in us may by revealed...Ergo all this Y2K paranoia, flim-flam (note to consumers: someone's making money on your paranoia). The Matrix gives voice to this suspicion and resonates with the braveness we must hold in stepping out into the following years. In short, the movie is the animus for the cynicism, the doubt, the danger, the disillusionment of our time. It is not truly a film, but an embodiment of the spirit of the time (zeitgeist; or, if I may abuse Hegel's terminology: "A world-historical film"). That the movie is phenomenal and should be bought goes without saying, that it is a powerful representation of our society must be acknowledged.
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