What is The Matrix?

Last night we watched The Matrix, a trippy sci-fi movie from 1999, starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. It had great special effects and sounded really cool in surround sound. And -- surprise -- it also had an interesting plot. Marty and I both liked it. But still, it is a Keanu Reeves movie. And so it must be rated on the true scale of Keanu Reeves movies, as defined by the Self-Made Critic of Brunching Shuttlecocks:

Any review of a Keanu movie must start with Keanu himself. Basically, just how bad is he in this one?

Is he playing a role that adeptly hides how unbelievably horrible he is (Parenthood, the Bill and Ted movies)? Or is he playing a role that broadcasts his complete and utter lameness for all to see (everything else)?

Actually, there is a third class of Keanu films. These are films that are so packed with other distractions - explosions, car chases, semi-naked hotties - that Keanu is given little actual acting to do. These movies include Speed... and... and... did I mention Speed?

Well you can slap The Matrix into that third category. Keanu is so buried in effects and gunfire that he has little to do other than pose. And he poses pretty well.

[read the whole review]

It just makes me laugh, because it's so true. And I'm a fan of Keanu "Can't Act" Reeves. In fact, I'd have to say he's probably one of my favorite actors, because I love three of his movies and like several more.

Love: Much Ado About Nothing, Speed, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Like: A Walk in the Clouds, River's Edge, Parenthood, Dangerous Liaisons, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey

And yes, Point Break is missing from that list for a reason. Even I won't sink that low...