Rating: Summary: The Matrix Review: The world we're living in is just a blanket, to hide you from the real world. You're dreaming, but you've never woke up. This is the concept of "The Matrix". Don't be fooled by the start, this movie gets very good. This is one of my favorite sci-fi movies, up there with "Minority Report". The action is great, and the effects are breathtaking. I would recomend this to anyone who feels like watching a different kind of movie, sci-fi fan or not.
Rating: Summary: ALMOST the prefect DVD Review: The worst audio commentary of all time does not affect this fantastic movie. This is one of the best DVD's available, just make sure to stay well clear of that awful commentary.
Rating: Summary: I'll take the red pill anyday..... Review: The year is 1999........ no wait, the year is 2199..... we think. Unfortunately, machines have ruled the Earth for too long and we don't know everything that has happened. All we know is that most of humanity is in a computer program called the Matrix. Oh yeah........ the machines are using us like batteries.One of the most special effects laden movies of all time, "Matrix" still holds it ground as one of the best many years later. Add to that a solid story line and terrific casting, and you have the makings of a very good movie. Keanu Reeves is Neo, a computer hacker who knows that there is something more to the world than he can see but can't quite figure it out. Morphius believes that Neo is the one that can save humanity from the Matrix and, ultimately, from the machines. The Agents, machines in the Matrix, are also looking for Neo. But they do not realize just who this man really is. Part-one of a three-part trilogy, "Matrix" is a fast-paced action movie that will keep you riveted to your seat from start to finish. This VHS version also comes with 4 behind-the-scenes features at the end of the movie that shows you how parts of the movie were made, including the awesome "bullet" scene on top of the building. Eventually, all three parts of this trilogy will be offered together in some compilation DVD set, with a lot of cool extras. While you wait for that to come out, go ahead and pick up the original and enjoy it now.
Rating: Summary: "More than you'll ever know¿" Review: The year is approximately 2199. The world human beings perceive through their senses is an illusion. Artificially intelligent machines control all of humanity by altering their perception of reality through the use of a computer-generated world, called the matrix. All humans believe they are living in 1999, "the peak of our civilization". The sad fact, however, is that the AI's have turned humans into a kind of battery, using the energy produced by people as fuel. There exist a select few people who have been removed from the Matrix and thus exposed to the bleak reality of the real world. It is these rebels alone who are fighting to free all humanity from enslavement. Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne) is the leader of a group of these freedom fighters. He is also engrossed in a search for the One, a person who has the ability to alter the matrix in any way he sees fit and who will liberate humanity from its bondage. Morpheus' search leads him to Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), but is Mr. Anderson the One? The Matrix is a feast for the eyes. The fighting scenes are fast paced and expertly implemented. Each actor spent months learning Hong Kong Kung Fu ("movie Kung Fu") and appeared in all of his/her fight sequences, adding a taste of authenticity to the action. The film also makes use of a groundbreaking filming technique called bullet-time, whereby scenes can be slowed down or sped up and shown from dynamic angles. The combination of fight scenes, camera work, and special effects is the best to come out of Hollywood for some time and alone warrants a viewing of the Matrix. However, the true beauty of the Matrix cannot be uncovered in a single viewing. The Matrix is much, much more than a high-tech, sci-fi action film. Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is... This film makes use of a myriad of allusions, "more than you'll ever know" according to the Wachowski brothers, the writers/directors. They have drawn upon Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Western Philosophy (Descartes, Berkeley, ...), Eastern Philosophy, Plato, cyberpunk literature (William Gibson's work, ...), "traditional" literature (Alice in Wonderland, ...), Greek Mythology, and Japanese anime, just to name a few. The film utilizes all these (and others) sources to explore humanity's perception of reality, the concept of salvation, and numerous other philosophical themes. These themes are too diverse and important to discuss in a forum such as this. Nonetheless, the Matrix was written with many levels of meaning, exemplified in the character's names, their actions, and their dialogue, to name a few examples. All in all, the Matrix was one of the most thought-provoking and entertaining movies I have ever seen. It was well worth the money I spent on it because of one simple word: rewatchability. This film cannot be appreciated until it is watched a number of times and each viewing proves to be as rewarding as the previous one, if not more so.
Rating: Summary: Excellent movie - great "eye candy" Review: There are a million reviews here so I'm not going to elaborate. My husband said this is one of the best movies he's ever seen in his life. I wouldn't go that far, but I thoroughly enjoyed it for it's visual aspects, the writing and the story. This type of genre is somewhat similar to that of the movie "Dark City". If you enjoyed "The Matrix", I highly recommend that movie as well.
Rating: Summary: Setting A New Standard Review: There are certain movies that set new standards for the film industry. "The Matrix" has moved beyond that. This movie has been out for only two years, and yet the influence is all over the place, not just in the movies, but on TV as well. For example, one of the major tv networks employs a "Matrix-style" screen of scrolling numbers as its segway between live football action and replay analysis or other features of a football broadcast. It's not uncommon to see the "bullet-time" effect that was created for "The Matrix" in other movies that have been released since. "The Matrix", as Orpheus so aptly says, is all around is. But enough about it's influence - this movie absolutely rocks!! The soundtrack keeps your heart racing a mile a minute. The special effects will blow you away. And as if that isn't enough, the story is so fresh and such a great idea, you are left wondering how they thought of it, and maybe even thinking to yourself, 'Is the Matrix real?' This movie is the real deal. Even if you're not a Keanu Reeves fan, you'll still love this flick. He fits the role well, and although his acting has never really been that great, he does a more than adequate job in this instant classic. If you want action through and through, this is the movie for you. If you don't have a home theater system, this movie is a reason to get one. The experience is not entirely the same with out the music blaring and the explosions booming all around you. Finally, if there is one movie that you should own on DVD, it's "The Matrix". Accept no substitutes. This is the best.
Rating: Summary: GOODY GOODY GUMDROPS! Review: There are few people who have not hear of this beloved movie, and even fewer of those who have that don't anticipate the 2nd of the upcoming trilogy. This is a *perfect* example of what the first of three consecutive movies should look like! It has suspence in it for the next, but not so much that you end the movie feeling like you have missed out on a WORLD of knowledge. The story-line in it also made a very strong foundation for the next movie to build upon, which also gives viewers a look at what is to come. I won't even touch the sound and video quality of this, as there are hundreds..nay..THOUSANDS of other reviews dedicated to that very subject-- which should tell you something on the movie's prosperity in itself!
Rating: Summary: what is the matrix Review: There are many, many varying perspectives about the true philosophical and religious foundations of the Matrix trilogy and its almost innumerable quantity of symbols and direct relations to ideologies and world religions. The directors chose to unfold the story of the Matrix through more than one form of media; likewise, I have studied the beliefs of many individuals through multiple forms of media and have come to portray the Matrix trilogy as both a philosophical interpretation of the postmodern condition and an artistically portrayed modern representation of Jesus Christ. The Matrix trilogy is by far the most moving and inquisitively mind-expanding, thought provoking, and most detailed work of cinematic art I have ever experienced. Another human beings concept for an ideology has never been conveyed in such a bluntly ingenious manner. The Wachowski brothers have revealed nothing in regard to the nature of the trilogy's meaning and its design of infinitely layered implicit foreshadowing of current trends intricately composing the soul of the Matrix experience. Their only response is that its depth is "More than you will ever know." The part of this generation of videogaming, tv raised, comic book junkies who came to see the movie for its special effects and violence, were not expecting to find themselves questioning their very existance after viewing a film that merely touches on the fact that we, in fact, do not know what true reality is, and that we have absolutely no way of providing concrete facts that suggest otherwise. In regard to the trilogy, I have yet to hear a criticism that is not obliviously asinine. A part of its genuine design is to point out the naivety of those who label the film according to what they rated it as a motion picture viewing and nothing more/less. Those who do so generally judge by covers and accept everything as it is with little or no doubt. Beyond what they see as kung-fu used to snag viewers, is a monumental unspoken relation to the enslaving political, social, and economical issues of what has been titled the postmodern society.
Rating: Summary: Movie that pioneered the new era in visual effects. Review: There are only two things about this movie that I will mention: One - very unique and quite disturbing story - the world is a hoax. It is an elaborate deception created by artificial intelligence that controls us. Two - visual effects, they will blow you away. This is one of only three movies that I've ever watched in a theater more than once. Let's hope that second chapter is as good as the original.
Rating: Summary: Great action, who forgot the story? Review: There are some great action sequences here where the DVD sound quality and clarity of image combine incredibly. The action shots are remarkable, so why couldn't thet give it a story that might make some sense? Like "The Mummy" and "The Haunting", they choose to build the movie around the special effects with a story thrown in somewhere. The special effects are supposed to help tell the story! The story is not supposed to just support the use of special effects! The idea of the ship traveling around is so absurd. I can suspend belief for a certain amount of the time, but there is a limit! Should someone buy this DVD? It depends on how much you like action films. If you can withstand the story shortcomings, then buy it for the action. Why couldn't they have started with a better story? The premise of what is reality is always interesting, but somehow this movie killed the idea. Definitely worth renting the DVD just to check out the effects! Rent before you buy this one. I chose not to buy.
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