The Matrix/Matrix Revisited (Box Set) (DVD)

THE MATRIX

1999 was going to be a huge year for science-fiction. A movie event was on the horizon that was going to knock the socks off audiences, define a new era for cinema goers and create a new breed of movie nerd. Rather surprisingly that movie didn't turn out to be the bearded wonders return to the Star Wars franchise with the ill-conceived CGI overload of The Phantom Menace. A month beforehand, slipping under the whole movie ...
...scrawled "Beat That Beardy" on the draft script of Attack of the Clones. The dawn of the first movie for the 21st Century had arrived in some style…

So, what is the Matrix? Following one of the most successful advertising campaigns of recent memory, I bet George Lucas wished he knew. Laurence Fishburne's asking of the titular question in the most awe-inspiring of teaser trailers, transposed over a back-flipping Keanu Reeves ... more

THE MATRIX

1999 was going to be a huge year for science-fiction. A movie event was on the horizon that was going to knock the socks off audiences, define a new era for cinema goers and create a new breed of movie nerd. Rather surprisingly that movie didn't turn out to be the bearded wonders return to the Star Wars franchise with the ill-conceived CGI overload of The Phantom Menace. A month beforehand, slipping under the whole movie industries radar, a curious cyber-thriller called The Matrix strolled into Lucas' manor, took a dump in his cereal and emphatically scrawled "Beat That Beardy" on the draft script of Attack of the Clones. The dawn of the first movie for the 21st Century had arrived in some style…

So, what is the Matrix? Following one of the most successful advertising campaigns of recent memory, I bet George Lucas wished he knew. Laurence Fishburne's asking of the titular question in the most awe-inspiring of teaser trailers, transposed over a back-flipping Keanu Reeves dodging out of the way of a speeding subway train, merely announced the arrival of the sleeper hit to end all sleeper hits. This essence of cool permanently expired any wind from The Phantom Menace's sails and had cyber geeks Larry and Andy Wachowski leading the audience down the rabbit hole of intrigue to the cinema in their droves for what transpired to be a mesmerising concoction of intelligent science-fiction, high octane kung-fu and action scenes that are, quite literally, out of this world.

Yes, but what is the Matrix? Well, to Thomas "Neo" Anderson (Reeves) it is the perpetual reality he has known his entire existence, but something is not right for the computer programmer turned hacker. He knows something is wrong with the world, but he can't explain what. When his computer starts typing messages to him on his monitor, is it real or is he still dreaming? Convenient meetings with a leather-clad female named Trinity (Carrie Anne-Moss) expose that he's not the only one who thinks this way about the world and she points him the direction of a phantom, dream-like figure named Morpheus (Fishburne) for answers. Dark-suited Agents (led by the brilliant Hugo Weaving) begin following him around confirming he's into something deep, none more so when they ask for Neo's help in capturing Morpheus who they believe to be the most dangerous terrorist in the world. But waking up in his bed following an altercation with the Agents, whereby his mouth sealed up by so as not to speak, he questions whether this event was for "real" or merely a construct imagined by his mind. When Neo finally meets the leather-suited, sunglasses wearing Morpheus, it is explained that the Matrix is the world pulled over Neo's eyes to blind him from the truth of his existence. But to truly understand what the Matrix is Neo must see it for himself…

"Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?"

It's a wonderful setup and, for once, the numerous teaser trailers did not let the film down. The intriguing premise remained. An opening chase sequence keeps everything mysterious. Who are these "agents"? How the hell did Trinity run up that wall and leap across a building? The further the audience tumbles down the rabbit hole with Neo, the more you begin to gauge that something more than the average action-flick is unfolding before your eyes. The intelligent script delights in constantly surprising the audience - the shock factor upon the revelation of what the Matrix actually is and Neo's awaking into the real world, is masterful. Philosophical connotations on what chicken actually tastes like and a symposium of thought from Agent Smith on the similarities between humans and viruses, are amusing within their thoughtfulness. Deja-vu is explained in a clever fashion entirely at ease with the concepts of the Matrix's environment. Both Fishburne as the dreamlike guide, Morpheus (the God of dreams from Greek mythology), and Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith delight in delivering tantalising dialogue on the ways and workings of the Matrix, as a continually bemused Neo attempts to realise his potential as the "One," the saviour of humanity that Morpheus believes him to be. And boy does he realise that potential in such a fantastic looking way.

With the build-up of characterisation and plot purposely slow, the intrigue continually winds up until the pivotal moment where the film just lets go. The magnificent dojo fight and other training programmes for Neo provide an early taste of what is to come, but little prepares you for the final forty-five minutes of the most exhilarating and adrenaline pumping action you're ever likely to see. With the concept of the Matrix sly enough to render that anything goes, including permissible superpowers as the fabric of the Matrix is toyed with, the moment Neo asks for "guns, lots of guns" the film goes into spectacular overdrive. One amazing set-piece after another, (from an unbelievable lobby shoot-out to a fantastically crafted explosion featuring a helicopter crashing into a building to a final subway face-off between Neo and Agent Smith) each beautifully and adoringly composed, climaxing in an exquisitely paced race against time… woah!

If this wasn't enough the Wachowski's still hold many an ace up their sleeves. Bill Pope's cinematography is nothing short of amazing, providing the film with a beautifully composed and stylish look. The bright whiteness of the construct (just how you'd imagine William Gibson's concept of the construct in Neuromancer) is perfection in it's unnaturalness, as is the strange green hue attached to the world Neo lives within. The composition of the helicopter crash is effortless. For the fight sequences the Wachowski's insisted on the four main stars undertaking intensive martial arts training prior to the shoot. Step forward Yuen Wo-Ping to condition the actors into fighters, so that the Wachowski's could utilise them in any scene, devoid of the use of stunt-men. All of a sudden the film has a sense of realism within the unreal setting - yes, that really is Reeves doing those cartwheels. Wo-Ping's excellent choreography and the wire-work involved brings an eastern style to an otherwise western themed movie, producing a very different kind of action flick. And then the Wachowski's add a techno-punk-rock anthem to the high-kicking hi-jinx, which is simply inspired genius. Each and every element of The Matrix just segues and moulds into a perfect combination of articulation for the senses - it sounds great, it looks great, if it was food it would probably taste great - and that's before even mentioning the actual money shot. To help with the concept of our heroes having super-abilities, visual effects guru John Geta tapped into an emergent visual technology, known as bullet-time - a process which allows a seemingly impossible slow motion time-freeze whereby the camera rotates dizzyingly around Keanu mid-kick. The Wachowki's, using the gimmick sparingly, ensured the dazzlingly versatile and original look of the Matrix remained whilst presenting an entirely new type of visual lexicon. The Matrix, quite simply, looks like nothing you've ever seen before in a movie.

The Matrix is the perfect combination of style and substance - alluringly cool, with the bullet-time technology providing something previously unseen to the audience, yet thoughtfully developed so that the action merges seamlessly with the intelligent script - it's more than your simple brainless action thriller. Many would argue that the slow, thoughtful meanderings of the Oracle (the wonderful Gloria Foster) in the sequence she shares with Neo, is probably the best scene of the whole film. Indeed with musings on the concepts of reality and perception, the film lingers in the mind long after as its contexts provide illuminating points of discussion. Although, Agents punching through walls and our heroes running-up walls dodging bullets will certainly suffice for the action junkies amongst us. And for all this we owe a debt of gratitude to the Wachowski brothers. They've amalgamated comic book morality, the Hong-Kong action tradition, cyberpunk paranoia and a visual effects revolution to create an entirely new brand of movie. In the clearest sense of the term The Matrix is a classic, much like Citizen Kane, in that not only is it a great movie but it's a film that has simultaneously redefined its own medium. Film doesn't get any better than this!

Overall - No negative points about the film? You bet your ass - there is simply nothing negative to say about the mind-blowing awesomeness of The Matrix. Say what you like about the sequels, nothing has matched The Matrix in its technical capacity, its artistry or its originality since. The final masterpiece of the twentieth century, just so happens to be the greatest film ever made as well. Move over George, the Star Wars universes' time is up…

Pants Watch - For those that want to know, Joe Pantoliano (Joey Pants) features in the film as the ambiguous Cypher and, like all films Joey Pants decides to show his face in, he is awesome.

What's On The DVD - The Matrix Revisited package is a two-disc edition of the movie, released for two reasons. One, to provide a retrospective look at the film by cast and crew a few months into the principle shooting of the sequels and two, to provide a tantalising teaser of those sequels for the fans amongst us. In 2001 it was essentially a must have edition of The Matrix, but since the release of Reloaded and Revolutions it can be seen as a rather redundant package. However, what makes it worth purchasing is the 90 minute documentary on the second DVD that entails the thoughts of the main cast and crew (Reeves, Weaving, Moss, Fishburne - hell even the elusive Brothers Wachowski are present) and the processes that everyone went through to get the vision of the Wachowski's on screen. This includes some impressive behind the scenes footage of the main cast members being put through their paces during their four month training programme, a detailed look at the highly impressive concept art and storyboards, details of the books the Wachowski's ensured Keanu read before even providing him with a copy of the script and how the Brothers made the $4 million Bound to prove their calibre in order to eventually direct their own screenplay. As a compendium of information on all things Matrixee, this is essential stuff. And that's before the last ten minutes provides a very early look at the production of The Matrix Reloaded - at the time a key feature for having purchased this DVD for those salivating at any news regarding the direction of the two sequels. Even today this is still interesting viewing.

The main DVD comes with all the extras associated with the original release of the film in November 1999. Three short featurettes, including I know Kung-Fu and Bullet-Time provides a behind-the scenes look of how they did that for the more impressive visual effects. The bullet-time stuff is compelling viewing. A commentary that features the inclusion of Carrie-Anne Moss, is deadly dull, but the concept of "Follow The White Rabbit" is probably the most interesting inclusion in this package seeing as, if you request it's use, the film will stop at certain points to provide a short making of documentary to highlight how such a scene was undertaken. A decent little package overall, but essentially for Matrix completists.

Directors - Andy and Larry Wachowski

Screenplay - Andy and Larry Wachowski

Cast -

Keanu Reeves .... Neo
Laurence Fishburne .... Morpheus
Carrie-Anne Moss .... Trinity
Hugo Weaving .... Agent Smith
Gloria Foster .... Oracle
Joe Pantoliano .... Cypher
Marcus Chong .... Tank
Julian Arahanga .... Apoc
Matt Doran .... Mouse
Belinda McClory .... Switch
Anthony Ray Parker .... Dozer
Paul Goddard .... Agent Brown
Robert Taylor .... Agent Jones

Running Time - 136 minutes

Certificate - 15

Genre - Action/Thriller/Science-Fiction

© Clownfoot, October 2005. The main review is a copy of the opinion I have posted on the Dooyoo website.
 

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