The Matrix is one of the few films that you'll find in almost anyones movie library. This is no surprise however, because the Matrix is a step above many sci-fi movies like it. The plot does not falter at any point during the film and the acting is superb. The shootouts are exhilarating and the special effects were ground-breaking. I'd recommend the Matrix to everyone. Action fans will be satisfied by the violence and people looking for something more than just action will also be pleased by the ideas and questions that the Matrix raises. Parents should know that even though the Matrix is rated R, it is on the softer side of the R rating. There are lots of guns and shootouts (although mostly bloodless), a passionate kiss, and a couple of s**ts and damns.

It's impossible to talk about the Matrix and kids without discussing the violence portrayed in this film. This film depicts martial-arts fighting scenes, point blank shooting and machine-gun volleys of destruction with a vividness that cannot be down-played. My wife and I are in a heated debate about whether or not this film is appropriate our oldest of three children. My 12 year old is growing up in a culture that provide 12 year-olds with a near limitless connectivity to the big, big world of the Internet. There are very few parents that have adequate technical skills to fully monitor / constrain access to the Internet from an averagely adept 12 year old. Personally - I'd rather pick my battles (no pun intended) and be there for my kid as he's growing up. Waiting until he's 17 and just about to head out the door… I don't think so. I happen to be a science fiction fan. Over the years, I've found a lot of joy in some of the wonderful stories, messages and mind-bending philosophies that are the hallmark of great science fiction. The Matrix is one of the works of science fiction that captures a lot of the greatness from different works across the genre: like a "highlight real". At the centerpiece of this film are characters that are filled with goodness, human self-doubt and in the end, a heroic commitment towards positive goals. In the review under the "Families Can Talk About" section above - the reviewer does a nice recap of some of those classic science fiction themes that find their way into The Matrix. Based on where my son is, I believe that this is going to lead to a lot of great discussions between the the two of us. I do not believe that the graphic violence will be part of those discussions. If you follow the plot of the film, the violence in this film occurs in a computer generated virtual-reality - not to "real" people. If this concept is too much to understand for your child, then I wouldn't recommend the film at this time. My feelings on this front are greatly influenced by the fact that my son is an extremely kind and thoughtful person - even more so when considering his age. I think this film offers more common ground for the two of us to engage than it will be a bad influence on his development. I don't know if I'm going to get agreement from my wife for another 5 years, but I do know I look forward to sharing it with my kid - whenever that happens and do hope that it's not too far in the future.

The Matrix is a classic action film that's great for teens, and in no way does it deserve an R rating. There are a lot of fist fights and shootouts here, but there's almost no blood and nothing graphic is ever shown. The violence in this film is stylized and intense, but is still easily within PG-13 territory. Moderate coarse language is used throughout the film, including the s-word. The music during the closing credits includes a song with stronger language (though this will go unnoticed by most viewers). There are two drug references and one sexual innuendo, but those are closer to PG than R. The film has positive main characters who are willing to sacrifice themselves to save others (though there is one rotten apple in the bunch), and the film contains a lot of thought-provoking philosophical content that will interest intelligent viewers.

A real brain-teaser that should give kids a lot to think about and provide a framework for understanding a lot of college-level concepts. Has a nicer blend of racial diversity than most films with minority actors in major roles and no big discussion of their race. The message that you can question authority, but act morally is a really good one for kids trying to figure out how to disagree with authority figures but still be respectful and upright. Although not graphic, the violence is a bit disturbing. Huge numbers of innocent bystanders are killed with no remorse on the part of the protagonists. That's really the only flaw in the movie, and if you discuss it with your kids, they should be able to see through it.

This movie was a very good movie, and if your kids want to see it, don't hesitate. It is rated R for some epic violence and scary images. Anyone will handle it, unless they are toddlers.

I think people should stop critiquing every aspect of every movie to complain it isn't "kid" friendly enough. The movie is not for kids, bottom line. Not because it is violent or because it says s[censored]hit, but because it is a thought provoking and complex piece of art that is intended for a well matured mind that is capable of understanding and handling it. Not every movie made is for kids to watch, and it has nothing to do with vulgar content, but rather because a child's brain is not developed enough to grasp the message or what is being communicated. Stop b[censored]ing and moaning when a film is not the religion friendly or mindless garbage we see shoveled out at children every summer with no other purpose than to waste 2 hours of your life and make a few million dollars in doing so. This is a film for mature audiences, not a Saturday morning cartoon. Stop trying to make every thing geared towards children. And if you bother to look hard enough, you will see that it does in fact carry some positive messages in it, like for example don't waste your life away like a mindless zombie, and open your eyes to the reality that this life is only temporary, so don't squander it.

My 12 year old thought this movie was AWESOME. I think that watching this movie together is just fine so that a parent can skip or have the kids turn away when needed. If your worried then recored it on cable and it is edited for you.

The language is an issue as they do use the Lord's name for cussing. This is definitely a movie you will want to talk about with your teens if you do decide to watch it with them. As an adult, I did turn away during the heavy gunfire scene as they enter a building.