Action and effects are Nineties-dynamic in this futuristic fantasy about couriers who wander dangerously through world information networks with vital data implanted in their brains. The risks are interception by enemy agents or overloading of the brain cells. No danger of the latter for the viewer in this inanely written, ineptly acted chop-socky-style film. In fact when Johnny (Keanu Reeves) gasps 'I'm a dead man if I don't get this out of my head,' he might have been referring to the script, much of whose dialogue could have been written for an old-time serial. Imploring the gods for a few of the creature comforts he misses, Keanu could perhaps have thrown in a request for an acting refresher course. But then director Robert Longo encourages everyone to over-emote in a cybernetic caper you'll want to download from your mind as soon as possible. The Matrix it isn't.

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