Arriving in the wake of big-budget sci-fi action crapathons such as Godzilla and Virus, The Matrix is the rare film worth every penny of its $80-million dollar budget. Wildly entertaining as well as technically innovative, The Matrix steals the best parts of a variety of movie genres (martial arts, sci-fi, cyberpunk, Hong Kong action) and amalgamates them into something that, if not exactly cerebral, certainly challenges the notion that all big-budget spectaculars must be entirely devoid of intelligence and originality. The Matrix, in fact, poses many challenging questions to the moviegoer's mind: What is The Matrix? What exactly does the Chosen One symbolize? How does Laurence Fishburne keep those sunglasses on his face? What the hell is going on?

Of course, the majority of those questions go unanswered, but that doesn't really matter as Neo, the main character, is just as wide-eyed and confused as the audience. Judging by that description, you can probably determine that Neo is played by Keanu Reeves, in one of the few roles in which his inability to act isn't a hindrance. There are a few issues of plausibility at stake here; The Matrix entreats one to believe that not only is Keanu a genius computer hacker who can kick Laurence Fishburne's ass in kung-fu, but that he is also the sole savior of the universe. The funny thing is, I did. Critics like to rag on Keanu for, well, being Keanu, but there has always been something endearing about him, something so immensely likeable that it always makes him enjoyable to watch, even when his actual acting is a tad under par. The Matrix taps into this quality and increases it tenfold; Neo's gradual transformation into ass-whooping, gun-toting, universe-saving bad-ass wouldn't have been so compelling if it had not been for Keanu's sweet, befuddled face. In the world of The Matrix, nothing is what it seems, and anyone can be an action hero -- even Ted "Theodore" Logan himself.

Critics like to rag on Keanu for, well, being Keanu

Actually, The Matrix is filled with surprising cast choices that all work extremely well. Carrie-Anne Moss, best known as the aging model of the mercifully short-lived Models Inc, is charismatic and engaging as Trinity, the freedom fighter that recruits Neo into the struggle against powerful computers that control mankind. This renegade group is led by Morpheus, an intimidating and supercool Laurence Fishburne, best known from Boyz in the Hood or as Cowboy Curtis on Pee-Wee's Playhouse. (OK, maybe not best known, but I had to bring that up!) The Matrix also conveys how silly the world would be if we all called each other by our internet names; aside from Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus, there's also Cypher (Joe Pantoliano), Tank (Marcus Chong) and Mouse (Matt Doran), among others.

But the real name to remember here is that of Wachowski, as in writers/directors/producers/future franchise builders Larry and Andy Wachowski. These brothers used to work in comics, and it shows; fantastic visuals and mythological storylines abound, leaving wide room for a probable sequel. The film also boasts the most intelligent and creative use of special effects since Dark City--movie cliches like action-flick gunplay become downright innovative as Keanu morphs and bends under 3-D CGI bullets. The Wachowski's script, while often muddled, has a certain charm in that it places as equal an emphasis on religious and philosophical musings as it does tailor-made Keanu lines like "I know kung-fu" and "Whoa." This mixture of a myriad of styles, genres, and approaches is what makes The Matrix so interesting - but it's also what keeps a very good but often incoherent movie from becoming an instant classic. But when you're dealing with a movie where Keanu can fly, Laurence is a kung-fu warrior, and everything looks so damn cool, there's no sense in being picky.

DROOL FACTOR: As Keanu would say, "Whoa!" Or, perhaps more accurately, as the Oracle would say, "You're cute - but not too smart, are you?" Sure, Keanu might not exactly be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but that blank, confused stare never looked better than in The Matrix. Plus, he had cool shades, and could fly! Not to mention that he's the Messiah. Lawrence Fishburne as Morpheus comes in at a definitely intriguing second.

GROSS-OUT FACTOR: Cute Keanu loses both his eyebrows and gets covered in goo! Yuck! Other fun, squishy stuff throughout the rest of the movie as well.

STRONG CHICK FACTOR: Models, Inc refugee Carrie-Anne Moss kicks virtual ass as the tough, resilient Trinity. Can't wait for the sequel!