The Matrix (DVD 1999)

The special effects changed film making forever, the story, although nothing sparklingly original in sci-fi and cyberpunk circles, was carried off in such a brilliant manner it is the most convincing sci-fi film I've seen since Dune (1984, David Lynch) and the original Terminator film.

As far as the actual acting goes it did suit Keanu Reeves pretty well, although his dialog does let him down on occasions but in some ways it reflects the 'panic - I'm feeling a little lost' element of his character Neo/Thomas Anderson. The support is fantastic, Laurence Fishburne as Neo's mentor, Morpheus, and Hugo Weaving as the insidious and evil Agent Smith are supreme in their roles carrying off their dialog with great aplomb and really adding atmosphere for the film. Carrie-Anne Moss carries off her part well, being a good balance of looks and brawn. The sets and cinematography are also fantastic as are the cityscapes, provided by The City of Sydney Australia.

The choreography and action in the film is unparalleled and helped widen the appeal of what might have been a slightly cliquey film had it not been carried off right. As it is the mix of cyberpunk style black clothes, cool sunglasses (I especially liked Morpheus's clip-on-the-nose ones) and huge black boots and the Kung-Fu fighting, gun totting fight scenes as well as the now legendary bullet-time effects really make this film scream to lovers of action and sci-fi alike.

All this is capped by, one might say most importantly, a great dramatic score by Don Davis (which I have just bought the CD of) and punchy metal/punk/techo soundtrack (which I have also just bought the CD of) that really conveys the mood excellently.

All in all it is, in the truest sense, a great film. If you've got the money and you love the film buy one of the special edition double-packs with the 'Matrix - Revisited' documentary DVD in. I have not seen the documentary personally but have it on good authority that it is a really nice addition. If you have not seen the film yet and like the sound of it prepare for stomach churning edge-of-the-seat action that will have you sweating right until the final scenes.

the matrix is most definately a classic, undoubtly.

it has some of the best special effects ever created, an amazing original plot and is incredibly entertaining. however its not for everyone.
there is no chance,unless you study quantum physics, that you'll get the just of this film straight off. it takes a couple of watchings to understand entirly what the film is about. also some may find the plot incredibly far fetched and it really does depend on your taste of movies. but if you like action/sci-movies, this is the ultimate one and really should be added to almost every dvd collection. or you could just watch it on channel 5 every month.

A must see movie for any Keanu Reeves fan.

A dazzling set of graphics, a great story line and a film that leaves you really thinking about whether the movie could be true.

Action packed with lots of fight scenes, coupled with an underlying "for the good of humanity" undertone.

If you havent seen it then you have been walking around with your eyes shut!

My god if you haven't seen this film yet, purchase it straight away.
A truly awesome mother of all fantasy/sci fi flicks.
A truly headbusting storyline which makes you think "hmmm maybe"..
You gotta see it, and trinity in the leathers, say no more

The Matrix staring keanu Reeves,Laurence Fishbourne,Carrie Ann Moss etc
I must say that this film was a true classic sci-fiction film,not just because of the excellent special effects that appears throughout it which i must admit they went to town on but the way it was done.
The only negatives for me was it took me ages and i have to watch it a few times to truely understand what it was about because at first i didnt understand what was going on i must admit,but after a few times the film can of grows on you and u then understand what it was about and secondly the other negative was it did go on for a few hours which sometimes destroyed a good film but besides this
I Believe that they did a great job making the film
Superb acting i most say goes to Keanu Reeves who plays one of the main characters ie Neo and also Laurence Fishbourne who plays morpheus

a brillant film throughout superb special effects and a good story line throughout reeves is the only choice the director could have chosen for this great acting

The Matrix I kid you not if a landmark film for me. A Stylish fantasy world, which has an interesting parallel to the world as we know it.
Great actors, fight scenes and script, ground shattering CGI & special effects never seen before such as 'bullet time'.
This in my opinion is the dvd that kick started people into buying dvd players over vhs. The disk is crammed with special features, profiles and documantarys, with hidden 'easter eggs' (hidden secrets to be accessed). It lead the field, and everyone else has followed. Awesome. Own it.

Already know the film and would advise people to buy it , why? , it's a revolution in cinema and sound! . I bid and paid for this review item but never received it....well at two quid and free postage it does'nt suprise me the seller was reluctant to part with the goods . Must add my misfortune turned out a blessing , two hours later i was the proud owner of The Matrix AND Matrix revisited for an extra one pound sixty .....happy daze!!!
Take Care and Thanks for Reading Mk

"No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself." says Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), the earnest, elegant John the Baptist figure in the Wachowski brothers' allegorical science fiction masterpiece. Well, we'll give it a shot.

He's talking to Neo (Keanu Reeves), a blank-faced computer whizz who's about to go through the looking glass - out of the late 20th century world as he knows it, into the real, post-apocalyptic "desert of the real".

It's a reality where robots rule the planet and keep humans plugged into a virtual reality matrix, living in a dream world, while their energy fuels the machines.

Morpheus thinks Neo is The One, the messiah figure who will destroy the Matrix and resurrect humanity. Fellow freedom fighter Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) is convinced too. But Neo isn't certain, and will have to face the pernicious, powerful, Matrix meanie Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) to find out.

At first viewing, the action sequences stun, but there's more to this than the groundbreaking "bullet time" photography, or the adolescent allure of flash, black clothes and big, black guns.

Sure, "The Matrix" is almost untenably cool, but beneath the sheen there's substance. The story's a potent mix of buddhism, Greek mythology, and - predominantly - the Christian gospel.

The image of a superficial existence, where ignorant people thrive by blocking out a troublesome reality, is potent for a Western society drowning in wealth while the rest of the world suffers.

The performances, too, wow. Admittedly Reeves is gifted the perfect role - he has to look good while hitting things - but Moss is charismatic, clever and sexy, while Fishburne is monumental.

Nestling next to "The Terminator" and "Metropolis", this is one the finest sci-fi flicks ever made.

What is "The Matrix"? It's genius. And yes, we admit, you do have to see it for yourself!!

Stuffed full of fantasy comics, addicted to action, and steeped in digital technology, the frenetic moviemakers Andy and Larry Wachowski have done what they must--create an eye-popping, morph-mad, quasi-mythical sci-fi flick that will thrill computer nerds as it kicks serious ass. The Matrix also presumes to (ahem) think deeply--although this notion is sure to be more enthusiastically embraced by hardcore science-fiction cultists than by the rest of us. For the non-cultist, this full-tilt visual and aural bombardment is simply a lot of fun. It never lets up. Nor does it ever want to.

Absolutley the best film I have seen since in a long time. Keanu Reeves (Neo) His performance was brilliant as well as Laurence Fishburne(Morpheus). The film felt like it should have been on two disks I was so captivated. The special effects were brilliant and the story line is really quite believable. There are many things in real life (so to speak) that make you question wether we are actually living it or are we actually only living while we are sleeping. Personally I would love to be neo or at least an awoken.

Top marks from me. A "MUST" buy.

I loved the quasi-religious/Berklyian theory undertone.The film is full of deeper meaning.Unfortunately,this can get overlooked by the stunning special effects and action sequences.

I like everything about Matrix, especially millitary building action. That's why I always wanted to have my own copy of that movie.

The total classic first film from the trilogy. Incredible action and story that keep giving you more each time you watch it. Make sure you turn the volume up for the 'lobby scene' and the slow motion 'bullet time' sequences that have become a motion picture classic and have been ripped off for comedy parodies and nearly every action film since.

The special effects were brilliant on this movie...I loved all that flying around, it was really cool!

Brilliant story, great film. Just wanted to replace the video which was getting worn out through watching too many times by the kids...!

a film that has revolutionised special effects and made countless films better as a result of what was done in not only this film but the two sequels. a unique storyline that has you gripped from the begining to the end!

This is a great film. The films budget for this film was around $60 million and was the first film to (fully) employ 'bullet-time' effects- where computer software is able to slow down scene to the speed where moving bullets (and forces) can be seen.
The plot is potentially confusing which is why the film will make much more sense when watched twice.

Because of the high use of quality music (AC/DC) and awsome use of sound effects the film would be a great treat for your surround sound system- imagine a large scale gun fight between 10+ men darting along your speakers firing and shouting.

At times it can seem like your just waiting for a gun fight at the 'boring bits', but they are worth the wait.

The Dvd includes behind the scenes and all the standards you would expect from a DVD.

This film was made with the intention of not being in a trilogy but because of its populatity Warner Brothers gave a $300 budget to making 2 further films. These films can be seen as 'The Matrix Hollywoodised' because of its overmade and used computer effects and a plot that seems to intentially confuse you by never speaking in casual tongue in the film- at times you can feel like an idiot when you don't understand the plot.

In my opinion the first Matrix film is the best is has become a classic amoung action lovers.

While the other 2 films were entertaining as a novilty, 'The first Matrix film is how the Matrix was before Hollywood got to it'

Needed this to complete my collection, fantastic trilogy you can watch time and time again. doesn't date either, you must watch them all

Absolutely fantastic ----- knuckle up: maybe it's true....who knows. Free your mind and watch it and then decide

matrix was a goood film as usual - but i fell a sleep watching it, never mind. ebay is gay for making you write a review, when i dont want to

If you haven't watched it you have probably heard the hype. Well it's true this is one of the best films going. It shouldn't work the actors would be classed as wooden, the plot is mindbending and the fact the film is a sci-fi, action special effects spectacular should put you off.
Firstly I'll start with the plot. It is one of the best thought out plots in any film since bladerunner. It has numerous ins ond out, plenty of content and twists and one of the classic end sequences in film.
The acting (although wooden) fits this film absolutely perfectly.
The main thing you will have heard about this film is the effects the slo mo effects are still outstanding

The Matrix is worth the money get it now

I love this movie, great story line and well acted. Plenty of effects but not to many to spoil. If you`ve never watched this movie and love to see sci-fi then give this a chance, there`s another 2 movies that link onto The Matrix, both very good and well thought out.

Grab yourself a bargain and buy The Matrix!