When Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), two mysterious individuals, recruit computer hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) for twisted and unexpected purposes, his world is turned upside down. Neo will quickly find out the truth about the world in which he lives as well as the truth about the dark underground world in which Morpheus, Trinity, and their cohorts operate. What is The Matrix? Neo is about to find out in the craziest way possible.
The Matrix is very much about the visuals in every way, shape, and form, and that is where the magic happens in this science fiction film–one that has often been regarded as one of the best of all time of the genre.
The visuals present throughout The Matrix are unlike anything that had been done before. This is not to say that the special effects, CGI, or animation are perfect, but rather that Lana Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers) and Lilly Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers)–writers and directors–were ahead of the curve when it came to their imagination. They moved cinema into the twenty-first century before it ever arrived, and their creativity and their prowess in the world of the visual arts has landed them among some of the most highly regarded minds of cinema–and for good reason.
The visual mastery extends beyond the science fiction and special effects aspects of the film, and into the cinematography, which is some of the best I’ve seen. One particular scene that stands out to me in The Matrix is the famous red pill, blue pill scenario, and as Neo’s decision is reflected in Morpheus’ glasses I came to realize that the talent that exists behind the scenes of The Matrix compares to some of the greatest cinematic ventures in history. I’m so impressed by all of the things that occur throughout the course of this film–particularly all that the Wachowskis bring to the table and the cinematic skill of Director of Photography Bill Pope. Furthermore, even beyond these aforementioned aspects, light and hue play a significant role in the tone and understanding of the film. At certain moments (very specific moments) green paints the entire scene beautifully, changing the dynamic of what is occurring and providing a new and greater understanding of The Matrix as a whole.
The cinematography, special effects, lighting, etc. play a significant role in how viewers perceive The Matrix, but the reality is that without a good story the film fails. The Wachowskis, again, were ahead of their time and developed a story that sits on the fence of ambiguity. Even as viewers begin to understand the nuances of the narrative there is so much that they fail to comprehend, and that’s part of the beauty of The Matrix and what the Wachowskis offer the world. There is a thin line between right and wrong, good and bad, real and fiction, and the ambiguity that exists throughout is inviting, because while viewers are expected to have a particular understanding of the content, they are able to form their own opinions on the world in which they live. The story transcends more than just the screen on which it is played as it reaches out into the real world, grabs viewers by the throat, and forces them to reevaluate all that they know to be true–and that’s a beautiful thing. The film is brilliant–nearly every aspect of it, but what allows it to stand the test of time and remain so highly regarded is the fact that viewers are able to learn a lesson in the process.
The Matrix is a film that you will either love or hate, but I’d venture to guess that the majority would lean toward loving the film. There is a lot to absorb throughout the course of The Matrix, and while that can be off putting to some viewers, the reality is that each and every tidbit presented to the world by the Wachowskis is nothing short of brilliant. The film is ahead of its time in more ways than one, and it’s fair to say that the Wachowski siblings are visionaries in the world of cinema. With breathtaking visuals, some of the most unique and intriguing action sequences of the past fifty years, and a slew of lessons that do a series of good for those watching, The Matrix checks all the boxes of a Hollywood blockbuster, and it’s no surprise that it has remained popular since it was first introduced more than twenty years ago. This film will continue to stand the test of time as it is a riveting masterpiece, and the Wachowskis are a truly spectacular pair.
Written & Directed by Lana Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers) & Lilly Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers).
Starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Julian Arahanga, Matt Doran, Belinda McClory, Anthony Ray Parker, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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