THE MATRIX is the second film by the writing and directing duo of Andy and Larry Wachowski, who last brought us the intriguing and unusual crime drama BOUND. The Wachowski brothers manage to make the abstract concepts of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, subjects hard to translate to the big screen, both fascinating and compelling. The Matrix :Starring: Keanu Reeves (Thomas Anderson / Neo ), Carrie-Anne Moss (Triniti ), Laurence Fishburne (Morpheus). Keanu Reeves plays Neo, a computer hacker who is drawn into a group that has discovered an insidious manipulation of reality . Neo_s existence is a lie, a virtual reality construct devised by a race of sentient machines to control mankind. In the distant future, the remnants of humanity are kept in fluid pods, with fabricated lives piped into their brains. The graphics and sound effects are excellent, but there isn_t a sense that the film was constructed simply as a vehicle to deliver them — despite their overwhelming technical quality they support the plot rather than distract from it. Overall rating 4.5/5 Genre keys: action, science fiction, fantasy, futuristic Warnings: several grotesque scenes and images, extensive violence. I you like these, consider this film: Dark City, Terminator, Blade Runner, Batman, True Lies, James Bond, Alien, Johnny Mnemonic . On a scale of one to five “The Matrix” rates a solid four. A good time at the bijou, and a film that cries out for multiple viewings.