If you want a movie that showcases special effects over substance, this is a movie to watch. Of course, some of the innovative special effects of the time have since been over-used in just about every movie that followed this one. Otherwise, the characters and story-line are utterly uninspired and unoriginal. Repeated viewings have been rather painful Keanu Reeves is within his element by playing the utterly clueless protagonist (see Bill & Ted). People have often praised the story for raising such existential questions, but I feel the same question was approached and done much more effectively in movies such as The City of Lost Children and Dark City. The Matrix is just simply an over-rated and bloated piece of crap.