Book Review: Exploring the Matrix: Visions of the Cyber Present

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[5 stars]

Exploring the Matrix: Visions of the Cyber Present Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Karen Haber
Class/Genre: Science Fiction Movie Related [Short Stories]
St. Martin's, May 2003, $24.95, 271 pp.

This is a series of essays dissecting the original movie on the eve of the release of the first of two sequels (the number 3 is the power number in science fiction reviewer babble). The eighteen contributions come from a virtual "cyberpunk and science-fiction visionaries" with most of the inputs quite interesting especially when two authors are diametrically opposite in their interpretation of the film. Debates range the gamut from whether the heroes are cyberpunks opposed to the overreach of science placing a web on their personal lives or comic book superheroes on the screen. If one is looking for the next great philosophical debate or a treatise on the Second Coming, then go elsewhere. However, fans of the movie will enjoy the discussion, much of which is simple fluff, but also enough fun stuff. Though enjoyable, the bottom line of EXPLORING THE MATRIX is the psycho prattle debate seeks hidden meaning when to many of the fans it is simply an entertaining flick.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner