The Matrix 1999

[8.4/10] The Matrix plays different to me now than when I was a teenager, which is as it should be. The philosophy that blew my mind in middle school seems a little rote as an adult. The omnipresence of dialing phones as the bridge to cyberspace feels a bit quaint. And the dark heart beneath the prosperity and anti-authoritarian/conformity speeches seem a little outdated when more of that dark heart has been on display in modern society and we’re more worried about unseen pockets of hate that metastasized on the internet than we are about the web as a mean to strike back against the system.

And yet, The Matrix still “slaps”, a word that is appropriately du jour now but likely to become passe in twenty years. While the film’s approach to special effects and adoption of wire-fu became so influential that it became ubiquitous, there is still such tension in every set piece. While the film’s questioning of what counts as reality and choice and control feels a little freshman philosophy class, this is still a film with something on its mind. And the premise of a boundless digital world, controlled by A.I., after our old one was brought down by our own hand, is still enough to power a film like this.

Those factors, and the unmitigated style oozing out of every frame, make The Matrix just as memorable, if not necessarily as deep, when returning to the film twenty years later. The story, which I once found compelling, if not outright inspiring as a teenager, feels a little rote now. Maybe it’s just that we’ve had beaucoup chosen one stories since then, but the whole “you’re him, Neo” routine comes off much more staid and standard when your movie is sandwiched between Luke Skywalker and Buffy Summers on one side, and Aang and Harry Potter on the other.

What’s more, The Matrix is mostly one big long introduction. In an odd way, it feels a lot like a phase one Marvel Cinematic Universe film, where it’s devoted as much to establishing the main character of a soon-to-be franchise as it is telling a plot-driven story from start to finish. Most of the film’s runtime is about what The Matrix is, what happened to lead humanity to this place, and a lot of exposition and ruminations on the nature of experience and truth beyond any full blown narrative developments. We basically get Neo being brought into the Matrix, learning about “The One” and then, in the last half hour of the film, the plot obstacles actually pile up. It’s a personal journey or a pilot more than a full-fledged story on its own.

Beyond that, the acting seems far shakier as an adult than it did when I was a kid. Keanu Reeves’s lines in the film became the stuff of memes before memes were really a thing. While occasionally grazing profundity, the script is full of action movie one-liners and platitudes than even the more seasoned performers have trouble making sound convincing at times. And even Hugo Weaving, whose mannered performance is one of the most memorable in the film, feels like he verges into Shatner-ing at times.

And yet, those elements, which would sink most films in my estimation, are more than counterbalanced by the aesthetic brilliance, the intense fights, the unmitigated style, and yes, the thoughtfulness baked into an otherwise standard “he is the chosen one” tale. It’s striking on rewatch how much of The Matrix is about choice. There are some strong themes about mental liberation, about what we perceive versus what is real, and the way that what we believe informs what we’re willing to see and experience. But choice is at the core of the film’s ethos, about deciding what kind of person you want to be, what kind of future you want to have, despite fate or destiny or predetermination, that permeates the film and emerges in monologues from both the good guys and bad guys.

Plus, it’s just a damn imaginative and durable premise. The Matrix was not the first work to prophesize a digital world, or an omnipresent artificial intelligence, or virtual reality as a refuge from a battered real world. But the film combines all of these elements into a setup that works, with infinite possibilities that can spring from it. As much time as the script spends establishing how things got to this point and what the rules of this universe are, it’s compelling just to learn more about this setting and see its limits and possibilities dramatized before the actual conflict kicks in. Frankly, I’m shocked that, despite the polarizing reaction to this film’s sequels, we haven’t had a reboot or reimagining or late sequel based on the potential to reuse this film’s premise alone.

But even if the premise wasn’t as good as it is, even if the film didn’t have more on its mind than the average actioner, the visuals and direction alone are enough to make it worth giving The Matrix another spin. While some of the CGI doesn't pass the eye test as well in 2019, the writer/director Wachowskis still make all those groundbreaking skirmishes stunning whether or not you can see the seams. Beyond the famed bullet time sequences, which still stand up today, the fight scenes are directed, blocked, and edited almost perfectly. There’s enough cuts to liven up the shot selection, but we get to see enough sustained combat and movement to understand the geography of the showdowns and believe our heroes as masters of their trade. There’s a lot of borrowing going on here from East Asian films that use the same approach, but the Wachowskis deploy it masterfully. The use of the virtual setting and the longer cuts amid the fireworks help find the middle ground between the impossible and the believable that makes Neo and Morpheus and Trinity’s battles so damn captivating.

At the same time, there’s just oodles of style in this thing. There’s the obvious washed out green sheen to everything, an omnipresent color grading that signifies sci-fi dystopia before we’re two steps into the film. The black leather, monochromatic aesthetic feels timeless, with distinct looks for even the more short-lived members of Morpheus’s crew. And the larger than life actions by our heroes and villains -- impossible firefights, wall-walking evasions, daredevil leaps -- are all done with the right amount of slow motion, musical accompaniment, and virtuosity to make the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar seem like the coolest people in the world, whether you’re 13 or 30.

The Matrix isn’t a film with a powerhouse plot or indelible performances (give or take Laurence Fishburne) or deeply-sketched characters. It’s a film with high-minded themes, an outstanding setup, and unbelievable action and aesthetics that elevate beyond less successful fare and make it a stone cold classic. It may not rock my world the same way it did when I was a teenager, but even today, the film is enough to get my blood-pumping at the same time it gets me thinking. That combination lets the film soar even after its innovations have become commonplace, because nobody’s quite topped the Wachowskis in their ability to marry top notch, jaw-dropping action with general audience appropriate but still thought-provoking ideas.

Innovative in many different ways, though it also pioneered a lot of shit (from bad imitators of its style to synthetic looking action scenes to the over the top stuntwork that’s found in every blockbuster nowadays).
Not that I’m holding that against this film, it actually gets most of these things right.
I really like the action, cinematography (the green tint for the Matrix was a great choice, which I believe was something they added in later cuts), music, story and characters in this.
The philosophy stuff is a nice side dish, it’s not as overbearing or overcomplicated as in the sequels.
It’s also not nearly as deep as some people pretend it is, just complex enough where it gives a lot of people the impression that this is some mindbending, experimental filmmaking, when in reality it’s not.
It’s just a very well executed action film that’s a little more conceptual than most of the stuff that came out around that time.
The acting, however, is a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving are excellent (which is odd, Hugo Weaving is hamming it up big time and that shouldn’t work given what the other actors are doing, but it does), but the two leads are very stiff and often miss the mark in selling their dialogue.
I imagine that must’ve been the big trade-off for the Wachowskis; Carrie Ann Moss and Keanu Reeves are great with the action stuff and a lot of what they do is in camera, but they’re not the greatest actors.
Taking that bullet was the right choice in the end, though.

8.5/10

"You ever have that feeling where you're not sure if you're awake or still dreaming?"

Getting more relevant by the minute, it's quite easy to become a conspiracy theorist after watching The Matrix. The sci-fi twist is absolutely brilliant and the world-building is solid. Sooo much green that it could be considered a St-Patrick's day movie. Very rainy damp movie (and i'm not even talking about Trinity's hair).

Hugo Weaving gives a great performance as agent Smith, his explanation on what his motivations are shaped him into becoming the perfect villain for this movie. Laurence Fishburne is excellent when it comes to doing the explanation of the rules of this world, he was also great. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss give alright performances, nothing great, they certainly look good and move well in action sequences. They elevate a little more as characters in the last 15 minutes of the movie but it wasn't quite enough and a little too late.

The first half didn't have that much action unfortunately but the third act makes up for that x10. The action looks fantastic with inventive choreography and probably the greatest uses of slow-motion in history?! It creates some visually stunning shots. The special effects look awesome and nice score to go with the action also. I'm a sucker for the octopus/squid robots. Awesome third act and ending. Definitely one of my favorite action movies!

"The Matrix" is a science fiction action film that tells the story of a young software developer named Thomas Anderson (played by Keanu Reeves) who is hired by several powerful companies. He soon learns that the real world he lives in is actually a simulation of a digital world by a global artificial intelligence called the Matrix, created to control humans and cover up the real truth for them.

One of the main positive points of the movie "The Matrix" is its visual design. Its stunning action scenes and innovative special effects were well received by the audience. Also, the film's dark and shadowy visual style revolutionized the acting, music, and outstanding sound effects of The Matrix and had a profound impact on cinema and music.

Besides that, the movie "Matrix" also raises important philosophical and social issues. The film interestingly and sarcastically tackles questions about truth, reality, human excitability and the power of choice. Also, this film is social and critically refers to issues such as dominance of systems and social control.

But, some criticisms have been made to the movie "Matrix". In some cases, it can be objected that the story of the film is complicated and hard to understand in parts and needs more focus. In addition, the characters in the film, especially Thomas Anderson, can seem shallow and lifeless at times.

However, "The Matrix" with its combination of different genres, deep philosophical views and attractive formula of action and science fiction has made a large number of viewers become enthusiasts and fans of this film.

"The Matrix" is a science fiction action film that tells the story of a young software developer named Thomas Anderson (played by Keanu Reeves) who is hired by several powerful companies. He soon learns that the real world he lives in is actually a simulation of a digital world by a global artificial intelligence called the Matrix, created to control humans and cover up the real truth for them.

One of the main positive points of the movie "The Matrix" is its visual design. Its stunning action scenes and innovative special effects were well received by the audience. Also, the film's dark and shadowy visual style revolutionized the acting, music, and outstanding sound effects of The Matrix and had a profound impact on cinema and music.

Besides that, the movie "Matrix" also raises important philosophical and social issues. The film interestingly and sarcastically tackles questions about truth, reality, human excitability and the power of choice. Also, this film is social and critically refers to issues such as dominance of systems and social control.

But, some criticisms have been made to the movie "Matrix". In some cases, it can be objected that the story of the film is complicated and hard to understand in parts and needs more focus. In addition, the characters in the film, especially Thomas Anderson, can seem shallow and lifeless at times.

However, "The Matrix" with its combination of different genres, deep philosophical views and attractive formula of action and science fiction has made a large number of viewers become enthusiasts and fans of this film.

"The Matrix," released in 1999, is widely considered to be one of the most influential and groundbreaking sci-fi films of the past 25 years. Directed by the Wachowskis, the film tells the story of Neo, a hacker who discovers that the reality he knows is actually a simulated world controlled by sentient machines. Keanu Reeves delivers a strong performance as Neo, and is supported by a talented cast including Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving. The film's unique blend of action, philosophy, and science fiction made it an instant classic, and its impact can still be felt in the genre today. The film also benefits from a memorable soundtrack and a standalone storyline that keeps the focus on the characters and their development. Despite the franchise's subsequent sequels not living up to the original, "The Matrix" remains a must-watch for any sci-fi fan.

Matrix, estrenada en 1999, es ampliamente considerada como una de las películas de ciencia ficción más influyentes e innovadoras de los últimos 25 años. Dirigida por los Wachowski, la película cuenta la historia de Neo, un hacker que descubre que la realidad que conoce es en realidad un mundo simulado controlado por máquinas inteligentes. Keanu Reeves ofrece una gran actuación como Neo y cuenta con el apoyo de un elenco talentoso que incluye a Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne y Hugo Weaving. La combinación única de acción, filosofía y ciencia ficción de la película la convirtió en un clásico instantáneo, y su impacto aún se puede sentir en el género en la actualidad. La película también se beneficia de una banda sonora memorable y una historia independiente que mantiene el enfoque en los personajes y su desarrollo. A pesar de que las secuelas posteriores de la franquicia no están a la altura del original, "The Matrix" sigue siendo una visita obligada para cualquier fanático de la ciencia ficción.

A brilliant plot, an excellent film.

Rewatching this after what must be 10 or 15 years since I last saw it, I was impressed at how great this still is.

It's now become pop culture, sure. But to have had enough time where I couldn't even tell you what happened during the sequels is such a blessing. I think I took the blue pill!

The things that stood out to me straight away...

-Low budget but they make it work. The CG is still adequate and doesn't detract from the film. The practical effects (especially that shoot out in the hallway) still looks amazing.

• the cinematography of the film and film location dressing is every movie Terry Gilliam wanted to make but always failed to when up to bat. What a brilliant visual treat, especially the first 20 minutes in the dark streets.

• Keanu's acting is very wooden. Carrie-Anne is gorgeous. Laurence is deft at the two sides of Morpheus (in matrix and out). Joey Pants is the gift that always delivers...

• some of the scenes on the craft felt a little Sci Fi channel cheap and poorly acted.

• there's a little pacing issue just prior to the Morpheus rescue that I felt. Some lagging, a little disinterest from my part before the massive setpiece kicked in.

However, this has to go down as the introduction to one of the greatest tales in all of cinema. A shockingly original and bold action film with futurism and scifi in abundance... Just a home run.

8.5/10

What is the Matrix? I can still remember purchasing my ticket back in '99, that clever marketing slogan at the front of my mind, and strapping in for what would prove to be an unforgettable ride. At the time, I thought it was a stunning accomplishment. An instant favorite. Seen in a modern light, a few of The Matrix's tricks and eccentricities have lost their sheen, but the overall package still works quite well.

I can see why my college-aged self thought so highly of it, twenty-plus years ago. It's intelligent without being snooty, accessible without pandering, hip and slick with only a few whiffs of generational fade. A functionally smart summer blockbuster with hints (and occasional brow-beatings) of philosophical wisdom. It manages a tough balance between an innate grace and the constant risk of overstepping its own reach, brushing past edginess and into the trite. Ultimately, it's too cool to suck, even as its wardrobe has gone out of fashion and its plot has been stripped by imposters.

The action scenes and special effects are largely to thank for that, still sharp and crisp despite so many years. The Wachowskis were wise to insist upon Yuen Woo-ping for the film's frequent fight sequences, given their essential reality-bending nature and Woo-ping's history with the Hong Kong scene. His touch gives those brawls, both armed and unarmed, an unfamiliar air that makes the impossible seem plausible and still sets them apart. The script is generally very good, too, although it sometimes, obviously, thinks a little too highly of itself. Everyone is SO GRIM all the time, which can feel smothering after two hours. Still, its ability to convey and explore some very tricky conceptual terrain, in a way that's both coherent and dynamic, is downright remarkable.

Now into its third decade, The Matrix remains a great time, even if I might roll my eyes at a line here or there. Still an all-timer, though? Well, that's tricky. As a standalone, the movie itself probably deserves an eight, but its style, ambition and lasting influence merits a little extra credit.