# Im sorry, but The Matrix is way overrated **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 28, 2002, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206 "2002-10-28T05:20:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/21 "2002-10-28T13:34:39Z")
I love it because it has many many many things blowing up in slow motion. “Guns. Lots of guns.” That’s the most important line in the whole movie to me. Mmm. Things blowing up in slow motion. Lots of them. If you don’t like lots of things blowing up in slow motion to a techno-ish soundtrack, yes, you will hate “The Matrix.” I loved “The Matrix.” ---
**Author:** ![Toaster52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@Toaster52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toaster52)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/22 "2002-10-28T13:52:14Z")
Trinity…in that skin-tight suit… _sigh_ (wipes drool) ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/23 "2002-10-28T14:23:45Z")
I liked it quite a bit-- like a anime movie done with real actors. The story was done with a fusion of various anime and SF themes, and the style was very Hong Kong-ish but with the effects and production values of a U.S. summer blockbuster. None of these alone would mean much, but all of these factors together with “bullet time” and Carrie-Ann Moss were enough for something special. That said: Umm, why the hell is this in the Pit? Was **Cafe Society** already filled with “Matrix yeah or yuck” threads? If we can have yet another Simpson quote thread I am sure we could kick this dead horse a few more times in Cafe Society. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/24 "2002-10-28T14:35:37Z")
You’re a bit late to the party as this precise issue has been beat to death in Cafe Society over and over (and over) again. I think the resolved issues were - 1: Keanu Reeves is not the world’s finest actor but he is very pretty man and he makes many (not all) women’s panties extra moist, so it sort of balances out. 2: The plot is very silly on many levels in a practical scientific sense, but none of this really matters because everyone gets to wear lots of black leather and expensive sungalsses, shoot lots of ammo out of big, noisy guns _and_ it has anti-gravity Kung Fu. Again the scales balance. Free advice is worth what it costs you, but as a friendly heads up you might try picking more current films to analyze/rant about. It will be more fun and your points will have a slim chance of being vaguely original. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/25 "2002-10-28T14:50:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mangetout \* > \*\*I thought it was cheifly a messianic tale; the whole false reality thing being an analogy of the soul/flesh duality - Neo is the saviour; dying and becoming more powerful in resurrection. > \*\* Wow. Deep. OK, maybe not deep, but interesting analysis. I agree that the plot was nothing new. Rather, it was classic. To me, it was the hero’s journey. You know the story – Backwater nobody kid discovers the world is going to come to an end. Kid decides he will try to save it. Kid gets a mentor. Mentor believes kid is the “chosen one.” Kid learns to be a hero, becomes a man. Kid saves the world. We’ve all seen this plot since before the Bible. And a classic never goes out of style. Recent examples are Dune, Star Wars, LotR… ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/26 "2002-10-28T15:00:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\* Keanu Reeves is not the world’s finest actor… \*\* Ladies and gentlemen, let’s all congratulate this year’s winner of the SDMB Master of Understatement Award! ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/27 "2002-10-28T15:17:06Z")
As an action movie I liked it well enough; the thing that bugs me are the people insisting on how deep it was and asking if I “got” all the metaphors. Please. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/28 "2002-10-28T16:01:41Z")
I agree with **tdn** – Matrix was the classic hero’s journey. I think it had the most direct “hero’s call to adventure” that I’ve ever seen. Now I need to go read Joseph Campbell. That said, I must add that Keanu Reeves should not be allowed in a movie that has ANY character saying ANY intelligent line. Matrix worked well because it played to Reeves’s strength, looking dazed and confused, and away from his weakness, acting. Keanu Reeves is a terrible actor who should be paid only minimum wage for the time he spends ‘acting,’ and not one cent more. Down with multimillion dollar salaries for Hollywood stars! ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/29 "2002-10-28T21:10:17Z")
I thought it was a good movie because, as stated before, it is very visceral. The thing that does it for me in the movie is the sounds. The buzzing of the phone and the modems dialing, a deep static hum that permeated the whole flick. The soundtrack is perfect for the movie too; everything is a thrill ride. Bad acting? Cheesy storyline? The visuals and audio makes up for it. Bullet-time, people! ---
**Author:** ![Pythagoras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@Pythagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagoras)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/30 "2002-10-28T21:45:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Legomancer \* > \*\*As an action movie I liked it well enough; the thing that bugs me are the people insisting on how deep it was and asking if I “got” all the metaphors. Please. \*\* Thats exactly how I feel. Its a stupid movie because everyone that watches it feels like their geniuses for getting it. A monkey with half a brain who existed in western civilization for 4 days would have ‘gotten’ it. Its the same way I feel about “The One” and “Enemy at the Gates” its designed to make somebody that sees it feel like their geniuses when in reality the movies are farting around in self important intelluctually obvious land. …Ugh… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ace_of_Swords)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/31 "2002-10-28T22:11:37Z")
**Stofsky** , I’m very sorry, but this year’s Understatement Award has already been given to **Dewey Cheatum and How** , for his “Clarence Thomas is not a great justice” comment! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ace_of_Swords)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/32 "2002-10-28T22:19:35Z")
Oh, and re: the Matrix. It’s a fine silly movie, which has been claimed by the fan-boys, who eat the psuedo-religious claptrap with fork and spoon. Surprised there aren’t more shoddy bildungsromans dumped on us, eh? ---
**Author:** ![glarGH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/76d3ee/32.png) [@glarGH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glarGH)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/33 "2002-10-28T23:45:00Z")
uhhh… sorry. I thought this was a thread about the car. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/34 "2002-10-29T09:09:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pythagoras \* > The Matrix is an overatied action movie. Its barely science fiction. First off, the whole premise of the film is laughable. Human beings are needed to supplement the power of a fusion reactor? That is BS. Not to mention they are fed other human beings - essentially a huge perpetual motion machine. The human beings actual COST the power system energy. So… why keep around the competition after youve unseated them from the top? Its completly illogical. Yeah, we all thought of that when we saw the movie. The thing is, do you really think conservation of energy was germane to the plot? Who cares what kind of blah, blah reason they came up with to enslave humans? The point was that they were enslaved. Look, when you see a movie, you can either enjoy it, or you can pick at it to death. > [@](#): > > Second, the whole ‘is this really reality’ bit has been done, and much more succesfully. Dark City was a far superior movie in this regard. And trust me, your not a genius if youve thought of this before unless youre… um… PLATO. Do you think there is ANY idea that hasn’t been done already? > [@](#): > > Third Keannu Reaves cannot act. In fact half these people might as well be replaced by androids - they are so unfeeling. I really dont care about the characters. I only identify with Neo because he is a nerd who ends up really really kicking ass in a ninja style fast paced video game kinda way - you know the epitome of what a nerd wants to do. Yeah, he sucks, but I have a hard time hating a whole movie just because of one weak actor. > [@](#): > > Im not saying its utterly horrible, but the movie takes itself way to seriously, a five year old could understand the philosophical points it makes. Get over yourself, Matrix, youre an action movie with some cool scenes. That is it. You say that like it’s a bad thing.🙂 And it’s not just the special effects that made it interesting - I think it had an original look and style to it. I don’t think anyone should be claiming The Matrix is a great work of art - just an entertaining movie. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/35 "2002-10-29T11:19:48Z")
> [@](#): > > No offense, but that sounds like the intro to a porno review… None taken. now that I re-read it it sounds _exactly_ like an intro to a porn review. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/36 "2002-10-29T11:22:33Z")
OK so acting is care-worthy. but I think bad acting can be redeemed by a good film. having enjoyed the Matrix so much and not having seen anything remotely like it ever. - I can’t really understand people bashing it. I am so looking forward to 2 and 3 ---
**Author:** ![d\_redguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@d\_redguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d_redguy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/37 "2002-10-29T11:26:36Z")
**Ace0Spades** - > [@](#): > > Oh, and re: the Matrix. It’s a fine silly movie, which has been claimed by the fan-boys, who eat the psuedo-religious claptrap with fork and spoon. Surprised there aren’t more shoddy bildungsromans dumped on us, eh? There _is_ no spoon! 😃 😃 But anyway, I liked it. Enough to see it more than once. I visited a friend out of town that played it for a month straight one weekend. That was just [sarcasm] **a little** [/sarcasm] overkill. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/38 "2002-10-29T11:35:21Z")
You don’t have to believe what something says to like it. I liked the film about Moses without being religeous. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/39 "2002-10-29T12:04:33Z")
Yeah! _The Matrix_ was at best a mediocre movie! And I’m gonna tell everyone I know, I don’t care if it takes until the end of 1999! [/satire] Seriously, what the fuck? Has this rant been stewing inside you for three years? I can’t wait until next year, when your opinions about the election of 2000 are finally revealed… ---
**Author:** ![gothelen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@gothelen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gothelen)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206/40 "2002-10-29T17:59:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lobsang \* > \*\*OK so acting is care-worthy. but I think bad acting can be redeemed by a good film. > having enjoyed the Matrix so much and not having seen anything remotely like it ever. - I can’t really understand people bashing it. > > I am so looking forward to 2 and 3 \*\* Hear Hear! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sorry-but-the-matrix-is-way-overrated/134206.md?page=1)