The collaborative team behind this high-tech thrill
ride, the Wachowski brothers, made their debut a couple
of years ago with "Bound", a slick, entertaining
crime drama that turned plenty of heads in Hollywood.
For their second effort, the Wachowskis had a bigger
budget and a very exciting script.

The Matrix delivers plenty of action and some
really cool slow-motion sequences that will leave
the viewer breathless. And once again, Keanu Reeves
gets a shot at action hero superstardom. And once
again, he comes up way short. It is unfortunate
that Keanu is unable to show just a little
versatility as an actor.

Reeves is Neo, a young hacker who is recruited
into a secret organization which is attempting
to undermine the current law enforcement establish-
ment. Neo is shocked to learn that his reality is
just a computer program used by artificial
intelligence to control all humans. Neo also
learns that he is the Messiah who must free the
human population from this virtual world.

The members of this secret organization (played
by Lawrence Fishburne and Carrie Anne Moss, among
others) have learned how to manipulate the virtual
matter around them. They are able to dodge speeding
bullets and make incredible acrobatic moves with
little effort. Neo is trained in their ways and
soon confronts the robotic law enforcement agents
who control the virtual world.

The supporting cast is decent. Bad guy Hugo Weaving
is devilishly sinister and the only interesting
character in The Matrix. There are a few mild
twists and turns that may throw you for a brief
loop. Overall, The Matrix is a mega action flick
with an above-average script.

Overall, The Matrix is a satisfying guilty pleasure
that will surely spawn a sequel in a couple of years.