The Matrix (1999) Review

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film written and directed by The Wachowskis (Credited as The Wachowski Brothers) and starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. It depicts a dystopian “future in which reality as perceived by humans is actually” a simulated reality called ‘the Matrix,’ created by thought-capable machines (artificial beings)[note 2] “to subdue the human population, while their bodies’ heat and electrical activity are used as an energy source”

For Some reason or another, while I have been wanting to watch this series, It has taken me 2 decades since it’s release to get to it.
While I generally am not a huge fan of action movies, I am a fan of Sci-fi and found The Matrix to be an enjoyable action sci-fi movie.

The plot involves Neo (Reeves), a mild-mannered software author by day, a feared hacker by night. He’s recruited by a cell of cyber-rebels, led by the profound Morpheus (Fishburne) and the leather-clad warrior Trinity (Moss). They’ve made a fundamental discovery about the world: It doesn’t exist. It’s actually a form of Virtual Reality, designed to lull us into lives of blind obedience to the “system.” We obediently go to our crummy jobs every day, little realizing, as Morpheus tells Neo, that “Matrix is the wool that has been pulled over your eyes–that you are a slave.” The rebels want to crack the framework that holds the Matrix in place, and free mankind. Morpheus believes Neo is the “One” who can lead this rebellion, which requires mind power as much as physical strength. Arrayed against them are the Agents (Weaving). The movie’s battles take place in Virtual Reality; the heroes’ minds are plugged into the combat. (You can still get killed, though as “The body cannot live without the mind”).

I’m quite glad that I got around to watching this film. It was a lot better then I expected. The acting was top notch, not surprising given the cast list. The action, (namely the combat scenes) were good, while still keeping the sci-fi feel. The special effects, which were groundbreaking at the time the film was made, have stood the test of time and still look really good.
The Matrix is heavy on philosophy, which allows it to explore some interesting themes. However there are a number of places (not just in the first movie, but throughout the trilogy) that they tacked extra ‘deep’ philosophy seemingly for the sake of ‘being deep’ without adding any value to the story.