Critic Reviews

Matrix, The (1999) Rank 3 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Matrix, The (1999) a score of 2.9765 out of 4
based on (365) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
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Reviews by Score:
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Scott RenshawScott Renshaw
If that description seems a bit coy, it's only because part of the fun in the first half of THE MATRIX is allowing its bizarre cosmology to unfold. On the surface it bears a resemblance to 1998's psychodystopia DARK CITY, but writer/directors Andy and ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Scott Renshaw
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Film Quips Online (John R. McEwen)Film Quips Online (John R. McEwen)
But soon it all degenerates into conventional armed combat, including an interminable scene in a train station lobby, where everything and everybody gets blown to smithereens. Never mind — I'll just go on living in my little deluded paradise. As ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Film Quips Online (John R. McEwen)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for David WilcockDavid Wilcock
The plot is cliched, the acting occasionally off, and the dialogue not so hot, but The Matrix is a surprisingly well made, and even intelligent movie. Reeves, it appears, is back on track after the hiatus after Speed. Although lacking in some areas, The ...read the complete Matrix movie review at David Wilcock
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Natural Born Viewers ("Geeky Marcus")Natural Born Viewers ("Geeky Marcus")
I always think people are going to laugh at "The Matrix" pretty soon, if not already. No, I am not talking about "Scary Movie" or the ten dozen other flicks / porno that are trying to make fun of it, I am saying that a few years from now, when you ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Natural Born Viewers ("Geeky Marcus")
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Dragan AntulovDragan Antulov
THE MATRIX was surprisingly good film for its time, and there many people who maintain enthusiasm for it ever since and claim that it was one of the greatest science fiction films ever made. Yet, despite being surprisingly good, THE MATRIX is ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Dragan Antulov
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Joe ChamberlainJoe Chamberlain
There, I've had my rant, now on with the regularly scheduled review. Which sadly won't include commentary on the film's sound which I'm assuming was spectacular, but I'm just guessing. My guess on the sound seems like a fairly solid one considering the ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Joe Chamberlain
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Edward Johnson-OttEdward Johnson-Ott
Surreal and visually dazzling, "The Matrix" is one hearty bowl of scifi goulash. Andy and Larry Wachowski, the brothers behind the sultry lesbian gangster flick, "Bound," incorporate everything from John Woostyle operatic violence to "Alice in ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Edward Johnson-Ott
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
One big, fat, honking comic book of a sci-fi-martial-arts adventure flick. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Dallas Observer (Bill Gallo)Dallas Observer (Bill Gallo)
This full-tilt visual and aural bombardment is simply a lot of fun. It never lets up. Nor does it ever want to. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Dallas Observer (Bill Gallo)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)
There's a kind of liberating, almost transforming energy in this film; it lights you up and sends you out all giddy with silliness. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
This dazzling pop allegory is steeped in a dark, pulpy sensibility that transcends nostalgic pastiche and stands firmly on its own merits. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at TV Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Matt's Movie Reviews (Matt Easterbrook)Matt's Movie Reviews (Matt Easterbrook)
Who would have thought that a Keanu Reeves movie could be intellectually as well as visually satisfying? ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Matt's Movie Reviews (Matt Easterbrook)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Slate (David Edelstein)Slate (David Edelstein)
One of the more lyrical sci-fi action thrillers ever made, in which space and time become love slaves to the directors' witty visual fancies. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Slate (David Edelstein)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)
Visually stunning with fine effects. What starts out fun, unique and challenging sci-fi disintegrates into a bloody shoot-out and fistfight at the end. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)
There's a kind of liberating, almost transforming energy in this film; it lights you up and sends you out all giddy with silliness. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Scott Renshaw's Screening Room (Scott Renshaw)Scott Renshaw's Screening Room (Scott Renshaw)
The action sequences in The Matrix are some of the best in a long time. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Scott Renshaw's Screening Room (Scott Renshaw)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Special kudos to the mysterious Wachowski tag team, who have created a lurid, splashy nightmare for the end of the millennium. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.12 out of 4 stars for Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Doesn't just raise the bar on sci-fi and action films, it rips that sucker off and sends it spiraling into the sun. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.10 out of 4 stars for Haro OnlineHaro Online
In a summer that has brought us an onslaught of movies that have dealt with what is real and what isn't, the Matrix is by far the flashiest and most violent. It's also probably the dumbest, but not because it's bad (which it isn't), but because the ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Haro Online
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
While "The Matrix" does have a murky, illogical plot, it is an ambitious film that questions the very nature of reality. It reminds us that we can be deceived if we rely on only our five senses. At the same time it challenges our vision with stunning ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for The Critic's Homepagec's Homepage reviews The MatrixThe Critic's Homepagec's Homepage reviews The Matrix
The plot is that Kevin "Neo" Anderson (Keanu Reeves) is a hacker who is recruited by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) to pretty much save the world. His enemies are the agents of The Matrix and his friends are a few people who are part of the rebellion ...read the complete Matrix movie review at The Critic's Homepagec's Homepage reviews The Matrix
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
The Wachowski Brothers, who both wrote and directed this sophomore effort, throw situations and characters at you with the rapid fire intensity of a machine gun, with little or no context as to what it all means. But, when the storyline finally comes ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the matrix is, you have to see it for yourself," the radio ads drill. But, I can tell you this..."The Matrix" (the movie) is a winding web of dream vs. reality vs. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Tribune (Marc Caro)Chicago Tribune (Marc Caro)
The writing remains more intelligent than most thrillers, and the action is executed with such panache that even if you don't buy the reality of The Matrix, it's a helluva place to visit. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Chicago Tribune (Marc Caro)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for New York Daily News (Jack Mathews)New York Daily News (Jack Mathews)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Big Picture Big Sound (Joe Lozito)Big Picture Big Sound (Joe Lozito)
Keanu Reeves plays Neo. This is usually the point where I would mention something about his character, but really what's the point? There are no actual characters in "The Matrix". In fact, the only defining trait that any of the cardboard cut-outs in ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Big Picture Big Sound (Joe Lozito)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Ray Conlogue)The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Ray Conlogue)
For those who have been waiting for movies to catch up with the graphic possibilities of comic books, wait no longer: The Matrix is among us. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Ray Conlogue)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
A visually dazzling cyberadventure, full of kinetic excitement, but it retreats to formula just when it's getting interesting. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Brandon HerringBrandon Herring
Some may be disappointed with The Matrix. I'll tell you I was. I sat there and sat there and sat there waiting for something to happen. Now wait wait, I know most of you loved it, and I'm not saying I didn't like it. What I'm saying is the first half ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Brandon Herring
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for New York Post (Rod Dreher)New York Post (Rod Dreher)
It's like animation come to three-dimensional life, and f/x addicts as well as sci-fi fans will not want to miss a split-second. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at New York Post (Rod Dreher)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)
Think DARK CITY plus THE TERMINATOR plus ALIEN plus ALICE IN WONDERLAND plus a couple others I can't think of off hand. There's really too much of everything in this one, from to plot to length to number of climaxes to the amount of ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Brandon HerringBrandon Herring
Special Features * * * * The best feature of the DVD is the special features. It contains bio's of the crew, including awards they've won, films they were in where they were born and so on. It also has a great feature called 'Follow The White Rabbit' in ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Brandon Herring
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for San Francisco Examiner (Wesley Morris)San Francisco Examiner (Wesley Morris)
Where most effects-laden extravanganzas aspire to be nothing more than a live-action comic book, The Matrix sees things with the venturesome clarity of a graphic novel. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at San Francisco Examiner (Wesley Morris)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
"The Matrix" is a visually dazzling cyberadventure, full of kinetic excitement, but it retreats to formula just when it's getting interesting. It's kind of a letdown when a movie begins ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for zoomavant.com reviewzoomavant.com review
L'idée est excitante et largement extrapolée dans un monde qui mêle habilement les jeux vidéo, les nouvelles technologies et d'autres multiples références bibliques, mythologiques (La trinité, l'"Elu" .). Rajoutez à cela des nouvelles ...read the complete Matrix movie review at zoomavant.com review
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
Well… no. In fact, I think it’s one of the better movies I’ve seen this year. I liked it so much I hoped I could give it a very high rating. But with so many things not quite right, I think it’s only fair to point them out. But ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Murali KrishnanMurali Krishnan
The narrative of the story is quite engaging. From the opening scene, it is unclear what exactly is going on. This is very effective because it places the audience in the same frame of reference as Neo, and only when Neo understands the true "reality", ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Murali Krishnan
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Walter FrithWalter Frith
It's disappointing that I can't quite recommend 'The Matrix' for several reasons. Just when the film is getting really cranked up for a grand climax, they resort to formula (it was produced by Joel Silver) and the climax is handled in a giant shoot out ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Walter Frith
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
What makes the film weirdly compelling is the sheer audacity of its screenplay. ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for FilmtracksFilmtracks
After 20 minutes of mounting darkness, the heroism of the score finally breaks through in the last two tracks. "Anything is Possible" is a spectacular finale to the score, building up to a glorious explosion from the brass section. This is ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Filmtracks
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Fantastica Daily (Mervius)Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
In a movie just bubbling with juicy intensity, who cares about performances ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Tim VoonTim Voon
Issues: 1. Can a movie such as Matrix tip hormonallycharged, acneridden adolescent teenagers into gunning down their schoolmates? Possible in theory, but made impossible without the existence of guns. 2. What is the Matrix? It's not a nonalcoholic ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Tim Voon
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Brian TakeshitaBrian Takeshita
Keanu Reeves plays a computer whiz nicknamed Neo, who is plucked out of the artificial world (known as the matrix) by a group of renegade humans who are clandestinely fighting to expose the fallacy of the computergenerated existence and free humankind ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Brian Takeshita
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Reader On LineChicago Reader On Line
Christ is one prototype for comic book superheroes: he transcends earthly laws and fights evil powers. His first episode may have ended badly, with that bloody business on the cross, but the Second Coming promises a blockbuster sequel. And in The Matrix ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Chicago Reader On Line
Matrix, The (1999) scores a combined 2.93 out of 4 stars for Film Frat Film Frat
If The Matrix is Kung-Food for thought, it's a giant plate of Kung Pow! What do you do if Americans have been kidnapped and taken to hostile territory? You call Bruce Willis. What do you do if machines have enslaved humanity? You call Ewan McGregor, ...read the complete Matrix movie review at Film Frat