The mind boggling film The Matrix, directed by Andy Wachowski, was a successful film with an unforgettable plot. The genre of The Matrix is science fiction/ action. It contains constant kung fu fighting and always leaves you at the edge of your seat. It takes place in the year 2306, where humans no longer control the world, instead machines do. This movie plays on the psyche of the audience, introducing the idea of a paradox universe. The Matrix fits its genre suitably and keeps you entertained from beginning to end because it works your mind. It introduces a complex plot that actually requires interpretation by its audience. Not many movies today can claim to engage the audience as much as The Matrix does.
Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, the computer hacker who is seeking the answer to the question, “what is the matrix?” His search leads him to the wise Morphius (Laurence Fishburne) who explains to Neo the illusion of the so-called reality. The world he is in is the Matrix, it is computer generated world made by the ‘machines’, the machines control the humans and keep constant watch over what they do. Morphius offers Neo a chance to unplug from the Matrix, the only world Neo has known, and go into the real world. The matrix is all digital and can be read like a book on specialized computers. Using this to their advantage, the crusaders for freedom manipulate the matrix and program themselves as if they too were digital computers. Neo takes the offer to see this new digital life that everyone seems to be oblivious to. Neo is now in the real world and must fight for his life against the inhuman government agents who are “no one, but everyone” as Morphius quotes. These agents are actually computer programs that can change into human form, misleading Neo and the others. Morphius is led to believe that Neo is ‘the one’ to save the human race and defeat the agents, yet Neo is skeptical. Neo doesn’t believe in fate, he doesn’t like the idea that he isn’t in control of his own life. Eventually, he is convinced and believes that he is the one. In the end, he defeats the government agents and falls in love with the courageous Trinity. By defeating the agents Neo is one step closer to helping save the human race.
The Matrix is interesting because it plays with the idea of real and illusion. Are we, in fact, living in a matrix of some sorts that we have no knowledge of? This movie lets us explore and ponder that question. Being exposed to this idea is what makes the film engaging, we wonder whether this could really happen or be happening to us. It is a striking movie since we could easily relate to the reactions and choices all the characters make. The characters in the movie are all unique in personality, but they all have one similarity, their curiosity. Each character is unique in their own way. Morphius has a way with words, he easily persuades anyone. He is experienced and wise, and doesn’t give in too easily. Neo on the other hand is determined and doesn’t give up on anyone or anything. He likes being in control of his own life and questioning of everything. Trinity is intelligent and probably just as determined as Neo. The inhuman government agents are monotonous and have no feeling, they are life-less. Their power is way out of Morphius’s control but the only power they don’t have is the power to leave the matrix. They try to gain that power from Morphius and the other crusaders.
The characters fulfill their role suitably but there are still a few flaws. For example, there could have been more scenes showing Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Neo (Keanu Reeves) falling in love, because it happens too suddenly, they hardly knew each other. Morphius (Laurence Fishburne) played his role as Neo’s guide very well. He was very wise and encouraged Neo every step of the way. Sipher (Hugo Weaver) was the one who betrayed the group so he could go back to the matrix. He even killed two of the people who were in the group. Weaver played his role well, because from the beginning we can already see that he doesn’t like the real world, he would rather be in the matrix. It’s his facial expressions and acting style that is convincing. This all foreshadows his betrayal to the group.
Visually, the movie is great, everything is very clear and easily understood. Everything throughout the movie is precise, it doesn’t jump from one place to another. The costumes and make up are also well done. When the characters are in the matrix they have black shiny and futuristic clothes. When they are in the real world, they have ugly rags on. By doing this, one can easily tell when the characters are in the matrix or in the real world. Next, there are really interesting camera angles and shots. Whenever there was some kind of fighting, it was usually in slow motion, which made it interesting and unique. It is unique in the sense that the characters were able to have superhuman abilities in the matrix. The movie would pause and the characters would hover in mid air throughout the action sequence. Furthermore, there are also at least three shots where you look at a scene through a reflection. For example, when we were looking at Neo through the reflection of Morphius’s sun glasses, or when we were looking at him through reflection of a spoon and also a car rear view mirror. Music goes well with the genre, it is all techno and rock. This makes you really feel like it is an action movie. The sound effects during the combat fighting are enticing and appropriate.
The purpose of the film is to get the audience thinking. The writer is trying to get the audience to wonder, are we in the matrix right now and we don’t even know? The best aspect of this movie is that it is so enticing. That is what makes it so engaging, the audience wants to learn about the matrix. They are just as curious as Neo was. They are with him every step of the way, completely glued to the movie screen. The audience loves the suspense. In conclusion, this movie is one of my favourite movies. It is stimulating and leaves you thinking a long time after the movie is over. Although I dislike sci-fi movies, this is definitely an exception. The Matrix is the integration of these ideas that has provoked the society to watch the movie again and again in the attempt to flesh out even more subtexts to the movie. The Matrix is also successful in that it plays on our cultural memory, teasing out those thoughts and ideas that our culture shares in common.
Ruky Abdulai
Related entries: Cinema, Screen Culture Database
