I like 13th Floor too. But it didn't shock me and entertain me, as much as the Matrix did.

Noooo way. 13th Floor is good and certainly deserved more attention than it got at the time, but The Matrix is just beyond phenomenal. I still get euphoric chills during some of those action scenes, probably the last movie to truly affect me like that in the cinema.

@Invidia You make some interesting points with that comparison. I suppose the ending of 13th Floor does make for a more refreshing resolution, although if I ignore the next two chapters of the Matrix trilogy (I enjoy them to a degree but they're nowhere near the first), it feels a bit more sublime in its closure. Neo flying away at the end was a perfect exclamation point and I'd actually prefer to leave what happens next to the imagination.

And yeah I'm more of an action guy so this is definitely more up my alley, but I do enjoy a good character-driven story as well. It's been a few years since I've watched The 13th Floor so I'll give it another go in the near future.

I think both films are great. I try to get people to watch "13" (that's what I call it, because I'm hip, and with it), but they always have some aversion to investing 90 minutes on a film recommendation.

WOW! Invidia, I thought I had sorted all the permutations that could happen - but you take the cake!! Are these your ideas. or something you've read elsewhere?