The Matrix
Sam Barnett Ryan McDermott
1996 was a great year for independent films with 4 out of the 5 Acedemy award nominations produced outside a mainstream studio setup. It was also the awakening of Andy and Larry Wachowski’s talent with the realease of their sophomore effort, The Matrix. Shot in Sydney, with a budget of around $60 million, The Matrix features some of the most stunningly original special effects, complemented perfectly with a complex plot and a multitude of intense action packed drama scenes.
For the first hour or so the audience is left baffled as to when the action will actually begin, (as that is what tends to stick in viewers mind the most about this movie). After careful setup of the various plot and story elements of the film the movie definitely lives up to its reputation and the portrayal of violence is artistic to put it at its simplest. The over hype of the action scenes caused my intial reaction to be somewhat disappointed when I first left the theatre however on second review I realised what a truly remarkably original film The Matrix actually is.
The Matrix begins with Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a stunning, leather-clad warrior, being chased around the city by three men in black suits and earpieces, known as Agents. Her goal is to contact Thomas Anderson, a.k.a. Neo (Keanu Reeves), a seemingly normal computer programmer by profession but secretly an infamous hacker. She is to bring him to the mysterious Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), one of the most famous hackers in the world of web. Neo jumps at the chance to meet such a highly distinguished figure oblivious as to the implications of his decision. Soon after Neo is propelled in to the stratosphere becoming the, “chosen one” destined to save humanity from the enslavement of the machines.
The Matrix, draws from a multitude of different literary and visual sources namely containing a number of biblical references most notably the main character Neo many claim is a reprsentation of Jesus Christ. The Matrix was criticised for stealing plot details. However the movie makes no secret of its borrowed elements making them explicitly obvious at every turn. In my opinion the film is further augmented by adding various elements from other sources and adds an additional dimension to the plot.
Keanu Reeves has been lambasted for his role in, The Matrix some even going so far as to call him a hack. However Reeves has managed to make over thirty films, something even a talented actor would find difficult to accomplish. Keenau is by no means Oscar worthy however The Matrix, was a defining role for him and probably Reeves at his best. Laurence Fishburne is electric in his first role since his performance in the underated, Event Horizon. Fishburne playing Morpheous talks in a cryptic, profound style never saying enough however he is utterly beleiveable and delivers a stellar performance. Carrie-Anne Moss' athleticism is very assured and she effortlessly shapes the character into her own. She also manages to blend feminity perfectly with her tough, out of my way persona. Hugo Weaving stars as one of the best villains since Stephen Dorff in Blade. Weaving's monotonous tone augments his already well shaped character and Weavings dynamic portrayal is astonishing as he is essentially a computer program. Weaving also attributed the monotomously haunting phrase, “Mr Anderson”.
To add to all the afore mentioned, the effects were absolutely breathtaking. The Matrix utilised the revolutionary 'Bullet time' technique which allows the appearance of ultra fast speeds. The Matrix appitimises what special effects were made for, enhancing the story whilst inpiring awe at the images they produce. The Matrix features effects so effortlessly integrated into the story they become routine and ordinary however it is important to note the originality of them and the legacy they created. Special effects though can only achieve limited amount, that is why the Wachowskis brought in martial arts experts teaching the basics in fighting techniques. This resulted in amazingly realistic fighting scenes blowing even John Woo out of the water. The Wachowskis also proved masters of the camera as they don't simply put the camera in one spot instead moving the camera in dynamic angles, giving us jaw dropping images adding to the excitement and fast pace of the film.
Just imagining the amount of work that went in to making this film is exhausting and, The Matrix , definately ticks all the right boxes. The screenplay is clever and even Don Davis' musical score complements perfectly the atmosphere of the film. The Matrix is a first-rate production that never lets down.
In a decade where studios loved to produce special-effect laden productions with virtually no plot, it was refreshing to see a film like this. If your after excellently produced, action-packed science fiction then do your self a favour and watch this film.
3.5 out of 5
Sam Barnett Ryan McDermott
1996 was a great year for independent films with 4 out of the 5 Acedemy award nominations produced outside a mainstream studio setup. It was also the awakening of Andy and Larry Wachowski’s talent with the realease of their sophomore effort, The Matrix. Shot in Sydney, with a budget of around $60 million, The Matrix features some of the most stunningly original special effects, complemented perfectly with a complex plot and a multitude of intense action packed drama scenes.
For the first hour or so the audience is left baffled as to when the action will actually begin, (as that is what tends to stick in viewers mind the most about this movie). After careful setup of the various plot and story elements of the film the movie definitely lives up to its reputation and the portrayal of violence is artistic to put it at its simplest. The over hype of the action scenes caused my intial reaction to be somewhat disappointed when I first left the theatre however on second review I realised what a truly remarkably original film The Matrix actually is.
The Matrix begins with Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a stunning, leather-clad warrior, being chased around the city by three men in black suits and earpieces, known as Agents. Her goal is to contact Thomas Anderson, a.k.a. Neo (Keanu Reeves), a seemingly normal computer programmer by profession but secretly an infamous hacker. She is to bring him to the mysterious Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), one of the most famous hackers in the world of web. Neo jumps at the chance to meet such a highly distinguished figure oblivious as to the implications of his decision. Soon after Neo is propelled in to the stratosphere becoming the, “chosen one” destined to save humanity from the enslavement of the machines.
The Matrix, draws from a multitude of different literary and visual sources namely containing a number of biblical references most notably the main character Neo many claim is a reprsentation of Jesus Christ. The Matrix was criticised for stealing plot details. However the movie makes no secret of its borrowed elements making them explicitly obvious at every turn. In my opinion the film is further augmented by adding various elements from other sources and adds an additional dimension to the plot.
Keanu Reeves has been lambasted for his role in, The Matrix some even going so far as to call him a hack. However Reeves has managed to make over thirty films, something even a talented actor would find difficult to accomplish. Keenau is by no means Oscar worthy however The Matrix, was a defining role for him and probably Reeves at his best. Laurence Fishburne is electric in his first role since his performance in the underated, Event Horizon. Fishburne playing Morpheous talks in a cryptic, profound style never saying enough however he is utterly beleiveable and delivers a stellar performance. Carrie-Anne Moss' athleticism is very assured and she effortlessly shapes the character into her own. She also manages to blend feminity perfectly with her tough, out of my way persona. Hugo Weaving stars as one of the best villains since Stephen Dorff in Blade. Weaving's monotonous tone augments his already well shaped character and Weavings dynamic portrayal is astonishing as he is essentially a computer program. Weaving also attributed the monotomously haunting phrase, “Mr Anderson”.
To add to all the afore mentioned, the effects were absolutely breathtaking. The Matrix utilised the revolutionary 'Bullet time' technique which allows the appearance of ultra fast speeds. The Matrix appitimises what special effects were made for, enhancing the story whilst inpiring awe at the images they produce. The Matrix features effects so effortlessly integrated into the story they become routine and ordinary however it is important to note the originality of them and the legacy they created. Special effects though can only achieve limited amount, that is why the Wachowskis brought in martial arts experts teaching the basics in fighting techniques. This resulted in amazingly realistic fighting scenes blowing even John Woo out of the water. The Wachowskis also proved masters of the camera as they don't simply put the camera in one spot instead moving the camera in dynamic angles, giving us jaw dropping images adding to the excitement and fast pace of the film.
Just imagining the amount of work that went in to making this film is exhausting and, The Matrix , definately ticks all the right boxes. The screenplay is clever and even Don Davis' musical score complements perfectly the atmosphere of the film. The Matrix is a first-rate production that never lets down.
In a decade where studios loved to produce special-effect laden productions with virtually no plot, it was refreshing to see a film like this. If your after excellently produced, action-packed science fiction then do your self a favour and watch this film.
3.5 out of 5
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