1999 Rewind: The Matrix


It's been 20 years since 1999, a year with a number of extraordinary and engaging films. During this summer, I'll be looking back at 10 of my favorites from 1999 for those looking to catch up with a few good films. This is the last of the 10 I'm looking at this summer.

The Matrix (March 31, 1999)
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving
About: This was probably one of the biggest, and certainly the best remembered of 1999. It didn't win Best Picture, but it did spawn two sequels. And even 20 years later it is probably the most remembered film of the year, and for good reason. It's a unique story and features some good performances, but more than that this was a visually stunning film. The Wachowskis built a world that was fascinating and did things that hadn't previously been seen. The big action set pieces still hold up, and that's part of the enduring appeal of this film. It's also probably the one film you can point to that really showcases a Post-Modern take. I'd go so far as to call it a Post-Modern Opus. The follow ups weren't as good, but that can't diminish the original. If you've never seen "The Matrix," it's well worth seeking out.
Rating: R for sci-fi violence and brief language.

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