THE MATRIX
A movie review by Joe Barlow
(c) Copyright 1999
STARRING: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne DIRECTORS: Larry and Andy Wachowski WRITERS: Larry and Andy Wachowski RATED: R RELEASED: 1999
RATING: *** 1/2 (out of a possible ****)
(WARNING: Although I usually try not to reveal any
plot-critical information (aka "spoilers") in my movie
reviews, I can think of no way to discuss "The
Matrix" without disclosing at least a few of the
plot-twists. I will try to keep this information
to an absolute minimum, but if you intend to see
the movie and want no advance knowledge of the
storyline, you may wish to skip this review. -JB)
What is "reality?" Most people would probably describe it as the day-to-day events that comprise our existence. Or perhaps you'd call it the conglomeration of sensory input relayed to your brain via your eyes, ears, nose, tounge and fingers. Either is an acceptable definition.
But are there other levels? If you find yourself trapped inside a terrifying dream from which you can not awaken, is that reality? What if you'd spent your entire life trapped inside Star Trek's Holodeck, and had no idea that everything around you was a fabrication created by a giant computer? It's all you've ever known... but is it "real?"
Now, suppose everyone else you've ever known is trapped in that Holodeck with you, and none of you have any idea that the world is anything less than it seems. What do you call that?
You'd call it "The Matrix," of course.
The Wachowski Brothers' new science-fiction thriller is a slick, cerebral flash of ingenuity out of the clear blue sky. Painted with broad strokes of characterization, the film is smart and thought-provoking as it drags the viewer along with the sheer force of its momentum. The story borrows heavily from science- fiction's illustrious past, plundering such works as "Pi," "Alien," "Tron," "Sliders," "Metropolis" and even "Nightmare on Elm Street" for the parts from which it constructs its Frankensteinian tale. Such a haphazardly-built plot should reek of staleness, but "The Matrix" takes its well-worn ingredients and recycles them into an appealing mix all its own.
Thomas "Neo" Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is a software programmer cursed like so many of us with a job that he hates. He toughs it out for one reason: it allows him to pay the rent as he struggles towards his true goal: the decipheration of a complex mathematical theory he refers to as the Matrix. This Matrix is part of everything in the universe, yet remains intangible-- a bit like The Force in "Star Wars."
Indeed, I'm curious to know whether the Wachowski Brothers actually used George Lucas's famous trilogy as the basis for this work, as the parallels are striking. We have an average guy for a hero, plucked seemingly at random and charged with saving the universe from a formidable tyranny. Along the way he learns the ways of the Matrix (aka The Force). There's even an Obi-Wan character: Neo receives assistance in his quest from a mysterious hacker named Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who knows more about the Matrix than Neo's mind is able to comprehend. Morpheus recognizes his friend's confusion and skepticism: "You have the look of someone who is accepting what he sees only because he expects to wake up at any moment," he observes. Nonetheless, Morpheus works diligently to help Neo learn the ways of the Matrix. He is sure that Neo is "The One"-- the person who will be able to shatter the illusion of reality, thereby bringing enlightenment to the world. It is not an exaggeration to say that Morpheus plays Ben Kenobi to Neo's Luke Skywalker as he trains his apprentice in the ways of this strange power.
"The Matrix" is one of the most kinetic films you're likely to see this year; it's not a work that slows down for the small details-- stop focusing on the screen and you're likely to find yourself lost, if only temporarily. Nor is the film a slave to its effects: our characters here are interesting and well-acted, with Keanu Reeves hitting the right note of confusion and befuddlement required by his character. (That sounds like a slam, but it's not intended to be. The same traits that made him so laughable in "Bram Stoker's Dracula" make him a perfect Neo.) As always, Laurence Fishburne is strong, confident, and impossible to ignore.
"The Matrix" raises a lot of thoughtful issues; the minimal plot description I have given is really only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. This is a visionary work, and comes highly recommended for fans of science-fiction. Warner Brothers apparantly thinks so too: there's already talk of turning the film into a trilogy (yet another "Star Wars" comparison!). I'll be interested to see whether it can survive the onslaught of "The Phantom Menace" in May. It deserves to.
E-Mail: jbarlow@earthling.net Joe Barlow on Film: http://www.ipass.net/~jbarlow/film.htm
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