Review of The Matrix (1999) by James S — 22 Jul 2015

This is the best premise I have ever seen in a movie. This is what taught me how important having a good premise is. The core idea of a film, if original and thought-provoking is what turns a good film into an extraordinary one. I'm not going to spell it out, because if you haven't seen the film, you really need to see it. The premise isn't fully realized until about 45 minutes in, but it is set up so well that the payoff is worth it.

This movie has a fantastic mix of though-provoking conversations, great action, and boss monologues. The main characters are well fleshed-out; their motivations drive the plot. The action is trendsetting; this was the film that popularized the slow-mo "bullet time" action shot. The monologues are truly gripping, and really make the film a wonder to watch.

The acting is largely positive. I am no fan of Keanu Reeves; I find he doesn't do reaction shots very well, and the entire first half of the movie is basically just him doing reaction shots. Carrie-Anne Moss does fairly well as Trinity, and Joe Pantoliano does well as Cypher. The real talent in this movie lies is Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving. Both play their characters extremely well; while they are mostly calm and collected, they do show moments of emotional nuance. They really make this movie.

A terrific idea, a solid cast, and a wildly moving plot add up to make this the best science-fiction movie of the 1990s.