I saw The Matrix on TV the other night. It's about the fourth time I've seen it but although the film was such a novelty way back in the day & spawned so many imitations, it's stood the test of time really well. I was expecting to find it really cheesy & dated, but instead I enjoyed it almost as much as the first time round.

The famous fancy-pants camerawork is still impressive, & saved from being just a gimmick by a dazzlingly clever storyline convincingly brought to life.

It's all a joy: Keanu Reeves (wasn't he gorgeous then?) is perfect as permanently rather bewildered hacker Neo, & who wouldn't want to be in his new gang? Looking atractively scruffy on their sci-fi-style alternative reality hovercraft, they become ultra-cool leather-clad superheroes in our world as they help Neo understand the mind-boggling conspiracy he's to play a vital role in.

Without wanting to give the plot away, the film is packed full of startling & clever ideas, much of them involving people existing in computer programmes which of course don't follow the same rules as we're used to, thus creating all kinds of opportunities for striking special effects.

Neo gets his martial arts training & his weapons in the clever people-in-computer-programme scenes only slightly marred by subsequent copycat insurance adverts, & the indestructible agents who morph from regular people & are always a few steps behind are nicely scary but with just the right amount of tongue in cheek.

The premise of the film & the plot twists are ingenious without being too baffling (though I never did quite grasp the stuff with the phones) & effects, camerawork & acting are all wonderful. If I'd made this film I'd die happy.