"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the matrix is, you have to see it for yourself," the radio ads drill. But, I can tell you this..."The Matrix" (the movie) is a winding web of dream vs. reality vs. technological dictatorship. It snatches you in your slumber, then challenges you to see the real world as a dream. It won't insult your intelligence; in fact, like Keanu, you'll spend most of the film trying to figure it out. As for the rest: saliva will be evaporating from your wide open mouth as your jaw lowers at the glass-shattering special effects.

I'm not sure why bullets are necessary to battle power-hunger software; but it sure is cool to watch the empty shells fall to the ground in slow mo. There are the times when the psychedelic, poetic, philosophic dialogue kind of bogs up on itself and there's that lull in the second act ... but nothing that a totally dope butt-woopin' climax can't blast from your memory. Now that's why we go to see action movies!

The plot/concept is almost intricate enough to make you forget that fighting technology with Kung Fu is essentially a silly idea. The acting won't steal the show. It's the careful direction (unique, yet reminiscent of Terry Gilliam, especially in "12 Monkeys") and sensitive, creative use of remarkable special effects that will burn this film in your memory. Buckle up!