10. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by The Wachowski Brothers
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne MOss, Hugo Weaving and Joe Pantoliano
A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.
Like many of the movies in the top 10, the impact The Matrix had one modern science fiction movies is undeniable. From its style, tone and “wire-fu” choreography was copied, imitated but never bettered. Many people left the cinemas with the most puzzled look on their faces as they tried to make heads or tails of the plot, but it really has stood the test of time – even if its sequels didn’t quite hit the same bar of quality.
“Perhaps the bench mark for modern day sci-fi, The Matrix explored the possibility that real life is merely a forced perception fed to us by human-harbouring machines, tackling themes of stoicism blended with riveting, never before seen action sequences. It also made us think twice about deja-vu.” Gavin Logan, Staff Writer
Originally published August 5, 2014. Updated April 15, 2018.
