Matrix, The (1999, USA) C-136m. SCOPE *** D: Larry and Andy Wachowski. Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Paul Goddard. Ultra-cool hi-tech sci-fi thriller with Keanu Reeves playing a hacker-turned-messiah, who discovers the world to be a computer simulation brought about by artificial intelligence, which has taken over since World War III. Together with rebel leaders Fishburne and Moss he battles seemingly indestructable androids in a computer world where all forces of nature can be overcome. Bustling with H.R. Gigeresque imagery and not-to-be believed computer stunts, film is extremely well-directed and takes the concept of artificial intelligence into new directions. Script is overlong, however, and its characters superficial (especially Reeves). Still, an intriguing sci-fi cross between BLADE RUNNER (1982) and STRANGE DAYS (1995), followed by two sequels in 2003.