The Matrix - Platinum Limited Edition DVD Collector's Set

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, Thought-Provoking, Compelling
Review: Synopsis: A premiere sci-fi film with a lot of action and a thought-provoking premise

Overall Entertainment Value: Excellent

Violence: Abundant, but not gory

Plot: Thought provoking, but not high brow or preachy

Special Effects: Well Done and Visually Compelling

Suitable For Age: Mature 16

Few movies compel me to watch them more than once. Fewer still can completely hold my interest a second time. This is one of the rare movies that I can enjoy every few months.

Like Blade Runner, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and even Star Trek/Star Trek NG, The Matrix invites you to examine your notions of what being "alive" means.

Ironically, the special effects that draw you into accepting the reality of The Matrix ultimately support a plot that forces you to challenge any notion you may have about objective reality. How do you *know* your reality is *the* reality?

No, it's not some high brow intellectual art film; and yes, its violence, while not gory, is abundant. This is not a movie for early teens!

Nonetheless, if you come away from it without wondering about the relationship between perception and reality (or whether objective reality can be proven at all!), then you'll have missed the point. If so, just go back to watching reruns of Seinfeld - and other shows that are proudly about nothing at all.

For the rest of you, buy this on DVD because I suspect a VHS tape will wear out before your interest in this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Essential
Review: Take a combination of exciting innovations in special effects, an original, intriguing hero story, a lot of guns, and a lot of black clothing, and you have the single most essential part of anyone's DVD collection.

I've only seens some of the special features on a friend's DVD (sorry, folks, the thing's still shipping, I don't actually own it yet); they offer a fascinating description (for all the nerds out there like me) of how many of the special effects are produced (particularly bullet time).

Rating:
Summary: This movie sucks! Wachowski Brothers suck!
Review: Talk about copycats! This movie has no ORIGINALITY! Its like stealing and combining Terminator 2, Japanamation, and John Woo movies all into one! The "Bullet Time" sequence is the only scene worth mentioning. Just because it has a ton of cool FX doesn't make it a good movie at all! The Wachowski Brothers need to think of something creative instead of BITING nips and pieces of other people's ideas!

Rating:
Summary: Big Budget Philosophy
Review: Technically speaking, The Matrix is one of the best examples of a DVD done right. It's loaded with extras like behind the scenes info as well as stuff for your PC. The image is crisp as is the sound. Content wise, this is a wonderful film, which is a metaphor for enlightenment. "Free your mind" is its mantra. The filmmakers used a sinister, cyberpunk atmosphere to bring this theme to the masses. Looking behind the flash of this cool flick, you might see that the "agents" represent ignorance. This really was a nice surprise. Too bad so many people will miss out on its important message due to its sci-fi genre.

Rating:
Summary: The philosophy is what makes this a classic film more ....
Review: than anything else. The underlying premise being that we can ultimately be in control of our own lives and destiny if we will just get past all of the b.s. that society and particularly the government put upon us. If you'll notice there are multiple refernces to the inherent evil of the tax system (IRS) and the accepted standards of career development and obeying you 'superiors' rather than following your own inner voice. But what I particularly enjoyed is when Morpheus states that most people are not ready (and I would add that they're ill equipped) to think for themselves and not be a slave to the system or the false nature of the society in which we live. And as such, the vast majority of society is the enemy of those who really know the truth. Our entire educational system (the perfect example) is set up to prepare people not to be individuals but rather automatons answering the bell and following the herd while making wealthy, fulfilled, and happy people out of the few who can see beyound the smoke screen.

There's also a very spiritual undercurrent to the film. To me the film makes the case that within us all there is a power that is far greater than we could ever imagine. We just have to learn to tap into it (believe) and become our true actualized selves. As Morpheus states there's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. But very few of us will ever even know the path let alone even endeavor to walk the path. But it is there within all of us to know and walk. As Neo says the choice is up to you.

The most powerful and important idea expressed though is that whatever your mind believes is ultimately reality. Also the concept that the data your mind is fed in either a conscious or unconscious state will be accepted and believed holds tremendous promise for more enlightened and truly powerful individuals. That is if you're willing to let go of all the crap you've been spoon fed all of your life and willing to begin to feed yourself that which truly nourishes your mind.

The story is awesome, the special effects are beyond belief, the action is fantastic and the premise is not as sci-fi or far fetched as may be commonly believed.

Rating:
Summary: a sci fi classic, the down side is....
Review: that it looked like it was aimed towards the moronic youth of today with horrible "hip" music and pretty damn primitive dialog. the movie doesent make you think either, its not deep enough too, if the fact that we are all living in a computer program and used as duracell batteries provokes deep thought, i really feel sorry for you. this movie is a classic, holds up after many many many viewings, like any classic should. and i look forward to the sequels. so get this one, its waaaay better than star wars: episode 1.

Rating:
Summary: the best movie i've seen in my entire life!
Review: that movie has the best story and the best special effects i've ever seen, and the music was also very good. everybody should see this movie in cinema and make his own opinion about it. i think this movie can reach the status of star wars. very, very good work, wachowski's!

Rating:
Summary: That couldn't really happen right???
Review: That was the first words my husband (then boyfriend) asked me after we walked out of the theater. This is an exciting story that [draws] you into a whole new world and way of thinking. It's a great date movie because it has tons of action for the guys with a sideline of romance for the ladies. The special features on the DVD are pretty cool to. After you've seen the movie a few times (trust me, it's so fast paced, you'll notice something new each time), I recommend watching it in "Follow the White Rabbit" mode. This allows you to see how they made the different effects (just press enter when you see the white rabbit pop up in the corner of the screen). Enjoy and remember anything is possible.

Rating:
Summary: Action!
Review: That's what this movie gives but it's not mindless action like some other movies use to try to entertain us with. It had a well thought out plot and credible acting. The action sequences are ingenious and totally awesome! Loved it! Keanu Reeves did alright too.

Rating:
Summary: A DVD MUST!
Review: The "Matrix" dvd, is what a real dvd should be. Superb sharp picture, exceptional musical score, breathtaking special f/x, a handful of some of the better seen extras,not to mention the great plot. I suggest do not miss this disc!