A “masterpiece” science fiction film hailed as the “greatest movie ever” is streaming now in the UK. The Matrix (1999) tells the story of Neo (Keanu Reeves), a disaffected computer hacker unaware that he and the rest of the human race are living in a simulation, whilst malevolent machines harvest their bodies for energy in a dystopian hellscape.
Neo is approached by a mysterious group led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) which believes it can help in their struggle to break free from their servitude and be free in the real world. The stacked cast also includes Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. It was written and directed by The Wachowskis, and became a cultural phenomenon, praised for both its deep exploration of humanity’s most enduring philosophical struggles, and epic slow-motion action sequences. The movie was critically acclaimed, and scooped four Oscars for Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound and Best Sound Effects Editing.
Fans have flocked to IMDb to shower the mind-bending classic with praise. One hailed it as the “greatest film of all time” adding that it’s a “thrill ride from start to finish” which they’d seen 179 times, and would watch 179 times more.
Another wrote: “I remember leaving the cinema in my teens all those years ago and thinking “Holy cow, that was incredible” This movie is a timeless science fiction classic.
“It has an excellent mind bending concept that will leave you questioning your own reality. The cinematography is great, the special effects are excellent for there time and still hold their weight now, the acting is superb, the music score is something to drool over.”
They added that it’s a “masterpiece of a movie and must be watched”.
A third called it a “stroke of genius that taps into the subconscious belief that our reality is not all it seems to be and mines it for all it’s worth, developing a philosophical mythos of biblical proportions in the process, whilst introducing technical and directorial innovations that will be mimicked for years to come”.
A fourth wrote: “The Matrix is not just a landmark in cinema – it’s a complete redefinition of storytelling, philosophy, and visual imagination.
“Rating it a perfect 10 feels inevitable, because the film creates a world so original and powerful that it permanently alters how audiences think about reality itself.”
The film has a 15 certificate and contains strong violence, so viewer discretion is advised.
The Matrix is streaming for Amazon Prime Video for those with a standard membership but is being taken down in 12 days, according to unofficial upload tracker JustWatch. After that it may still be available on Prime with an HBO add on. It’s also available to rent or buy on various platforms, including Sky Store, Apple TV and YouTube.
