Dark Dreams

Neo is falling down the rabbit hole, and like Alice he has a choice, a blue pill to take him home, a red will take him to the truth. And what a truth it is. A post-apocalyptic science fiction nightmare where he learns the way most of my students want to be taught -- direct plug to the brain. In a well-balanced marriage of special effects (including computer animation) and wire stunts we discover with Neo the possibilities of manipulating the matrix. In the process, the audience is treated to an extraordinary ballet of martial arts and pyrotechnic bullet-strewn mayhem. The actors get to merge the black leather clad strike-a-pose with acrobatic martial arts sequences choreographed by Yuen Wo Ping. They spent four months learning Kung Fu and training for their roles, and the result is the best blend of story, photography and action that I've seen.

Movie Still, Laurence Fishburne as Morpheous in The Matrix

Keanu and Carrie-Anne get to redefine the classic John Woo (Face/Off) two-gun shoot-outs in scenes that prove that gun battles can be portrayed with style and humour.

Movie Still, Carrie-Anne Moss in The Matrix

The Matrix is a co-production, made in Sydney, Australia. Watch for the harbour bridge at the end of the street towards the end of the film. The sfx are a credit to the local techos. This film is a keeper, enjoy it on the big screen, and put aside your pennies for the video/DVD. The attention to detail and the characterisation and performances make this film the best action flick released in a long time. I look forward to what Messrs Wachowski will give us next. Ali Kayn