Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 415 Ratings

  • Starring: Carrie-Anne Moss, Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne
  • Summary: A computer hacker (Reeves) learns that his entire life has been a virtual dream, orchestrated by a strange class of computer overlords in the far future. He joins a resistance movement (led by Fishburne) to free humanity from lives of computerized brainwashing.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. 91
    The Matrix slams you back in your chair, pops open your eyes and leaves your jaw hanging slack in amazement.
  2. 80
    This dazzling pop allegory is steeped in a dark, pulpy sensibility that transcends nostalgic pastiche and stands firmly on its own merits.
  3. 60
    The cumulative effect is perversely deflationary: long before it's over, the film has flushed the paranoia from its system.
  4. It's astonishing that so much money, talent, technical expertise and visual imagination can be put in the service of something so stupid.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 16 out of 143
  1. Yes, the movie has flaws. But who cares? "The Matrix" is a astonishing movie that is for-your-eyes only. The film has top notch (slo-mo was first introduced by this movie) CGI as well as a well rounded plot. It gives you more than you can ask for from a 1990's action film. Expand
  2. KevinV.
    8
    What a concept! Although the movie is well executed, it is not exceptional. It makes for an entertaining ride.
  3. I know there are a lot of people who have seen this film and even the sequels. But this is the first time I've paid attention to this franchise. Though it is popular, The Matrix failed to deliver good performances and great fighting scenes. The story is new in its genre and year. The Matrix was created in 1999, which is similiar to 2010's Inception, where the world is not the world itself anymore. There are two worlds, The Matrix and the actual world. The Matrix is where most people live in and the actual world is only for the ones that rebelled. As refreshingly new the plot is, the writers just had to put in some cliches in the film: the protagonist did not die at the end, the bad guys died, some romance, and badass action scenes. Well, I guess that's what all movies have nowadays. But the film have so many flaws in it like the acting, it is the worse ensembled cast I've seen in years. The actual writing isn't bad but the way the actors delivered the lines are just unpleasant. Another flaw is the fighting scenes. I first thought it was because they were moving too fast and that was the point. But as it progresses, the fighting scenes are just cheap! The Matrix offers a new element to its genre and has really great visual effects but failed to deliver on its performances which made the film dropped. Expand
  4. EganA.
    0
    Only retards liked this movie. One of the, if not THE most overrated film of all time.

See all 143 User Reviews

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