What makes The Matrix a classic sci-fi film?

[Artman]

Titanic - there is nothing like watching a movie you already know the ending to

My wife and I had a Video Store a couple of years ago and when this movie came in, one of our customers asked, "Does it have a happy ending?"


Well, more than 1500 people died in the North Atlantic when a ship thought to be unsinkable sank in a very likely avoidable accident. I'd say "NO!"

 

[FredGarvin]

Tron was about a guiy that gut sucked into a video game, he knew he was in a video game and he had to find a way to get out. I loved Tron, but I can't see any comparison to the Matrix.

I see the comparison in that they were both part of a computer system and their main purpose was to free that system and to return to reality. Flynn and Neo both started out as degenerate computer programmers/hackers...I realize they weren't identical, but I think there is at least a parallel there. I can see how they could have started with Tron as an idea and expanded on it.

I don't find special effects entertaining for their own sake; ie. they have their place, and great special effects can help to make a great movie greater, but I walked out of Matrix feeling as though the entire movie was really just a special effects showcase.

And Descartes did it first.

I agree with the special effects. They have their place. I was not a huge fan of how much wire work they did for the stunts. I was also not a huge fan of the huge gun battles where a million rounds are fired and only the bad guys get hit. I thought it was entertaining.

You'll have to explain the Descartes reference. I'm not that well read.