The Matrix

⭐ 9.5/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

Had the chance to watch this one with a friend who had never seen it before and didn't even know what it was about. I love watching movies like this with a first timer because it helps me remember my first time, and this movie is the all-time first time experience. I really don't think there is a cooler sci-fi concept out there and it gets your brain working in ways you rarely think in.

Yet the awesome thing about this movie is that not only do they create a cool world, but they tell a great story within it. I don't necessarily mean the Chosen One tropes, though I admit it all works amazingly well here and my motto has always been that The Matrix can get away with anything. But it's more the stuff with with all these amazing characters they created. Morpheus is so intensely cool, the Oracle provides both guidance, mystery, and some cool philosophy, the villain has clear and understandable motivations, and Hugo Weaving gives perhaps his best performance in this side of Middle-earth. Just a huge, dumb smile on my face any time the words "Mr Anderson" slip through his clenched teeth.

Yeah this movie is awesome. I still feel like I can't give it a ten because Trinity kisses Neo back to life, and also because my new year's resolution is to not give every rewatch a 10. But this has got to be a top 5 most influential movie of my generation and our world is better for its existence.