'Star Wars' vs. 'Matrix' — a tough call

OK, pick one: "Star Wars" or "The Matrix."

First off, I'm not asking which of these two mega-hit science-fiction movie series had the more disappointing sequels or prequels. That's an argument for another day . . . perhaps after the third of George Lucas's "Star Wars" prequels has been released (scheduled for May 25, 2005).

Also, I'm really not trying to start any fights here. I'm as peaceful as a sci-fi nerd can be. (Cough! Cough!) I'm simply trying to throw out a topic for discussion here — about which science-fiction saga has had the largest influence on pop culture.

And I should mention that I'm not really drawing any conclusions or sharing my own particular, peculiar viewpoint on the subject. (Cough! "Star Trek!" Cough!)

Both can make a pretty strong case.

Here are some of the arguments sure to be used by fans of each:

• STAR WARS

This was the movie series that revitalized the science-fiction genre after it had pretty much languished since the 1960s heyday of the original "Star Trek" television series and "2001: A Space Odyssey."

And when the first of the films became a worldwide smash hit, it spawned merchandizing ties galore — action figures, comic books, novels and even some knock-off TV series. And each succeeding "Star Wars" film became an event for audiences to share. Repeatedly.

• THE MATRIX

This was the movie series that established a new style for the science-fiction genre, which had pretty much been following the lead of the first "Star Wars" in 1977.

And by style, I mean style. From fashion sense (black became, well, the new black) to the way that action scenes in science-fiction films look nowadays (including slo-mo and martial-arts combat). Nearly every sci-fi movie that has followed has emulated at least some of the "Matrix" style.

So . . . discuss!

• A SCI-FI MOVIE OF REAL INFLUENCE. Another way both movie series influenced those who followed was by including strong female and black characters.

In the first "Matrix," Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) were arguably as heroic as Neo (Keanu Reeves). And both Niobe (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and the Oracle (the late Gloria Foster in "Reloaded"; Mary Alice in "Revolutions") played pivotal roles in the sequels.