The Matrix (1999)
Directors: Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski Writers: Lilly Wachowski and Lana Wachowski Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong Although I didn't find this film to be as profound as many, I would certainly say that it is clever and very smartly written. I was impressed at how smoothly the Wachowskis managed to fit the conventions of martial arts films into a technological context. The story is pure comic book--and I mean that in the best sense of the word. A seemingly average guy (Keanu Reeves) meets some mysterious types (Carrie-Ann Moss and Laurence Fishburne) who introduce him to the reality behind our everyday world and becomes a superhero to battle the evil he finds there. One of the most interesting facets of the story is the fact that our heroes exist in two worlds simultaneously--in one they are superhuman, while in the other they are nearly helpless.