It is 1999 around 1am. You are sitting on your couch watching a movie on your computer that has you totally enthralled. Trouble is the movie crashes with an error message explaining that the file was corrupted. (Ahhh, Napster anyone?) After several attempts to play the file again, you give up dejectedly and try to figure out what to do.
What to do is get your clothes on and doggedly head out to the local Walmart. It is a dodgy proposition considering what you might see at Wally during the day – as this is middle of nowhere rural Illinois, you know this is probably a bad idea. Onward.
You come home with a VHS tape that you hurriedly pull the plastic wrap off of and jam into the VCR. Fast forward to where you were and sit back down. At least now you are watching it on the TV with a bigger screen.
This was how I became acquainted with The Matrix. What a movie! It had everything that I already knew made for a good action film and so many other things that I had never seen before. It was just…cool.
The Matrix was easily one of the biggest hits of the 1990s and arguably one of the most influential action films of all time. It spawned 3 sequels and made close to 2 billion dollars. The Matrix” became a cultural phenomenon. Phrases like “taking the red pill” entered mainstream language, symbolizing waking up to uncomfortable truths. It inspired everything from fashion trends to philosophical debates, influencing pop culture, technology, and science fiction for years to come.
I teach Film as Literature and we are presently going through the sci-fi unit. The Matrix was not on the list of movies to watch (there are some great ones on that list however – Interstellar, Arrival, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Blade Runner, the 1982 version) so I let them start watching it while working on some other material. I just think they had to be introduced to it.
First of all, the visual effects and cinematography were groundbreaking. The film introduced “bullet time” effects, where time slows down while the camera moves at normal speed. This innovation became iconic, influencing many action films and video games. The Matrix’s choreographed fight scenes, particularly influenced by martial arts, are fluid and thrilling. The use of wire-fu techniques, along with stylized slow-motion and gravity-defying stunts, set a new standard for action cinema. The blending of bleeding edge technology and classic cinematic techniques was incredible. I particularly like the use of long, long takes. It made you feel like you were there, totally immersed into the cyberpunk aesthetic.
All of that would be meaningless if it were not for some pretty cool storytelling. The story idea was not new, but the concept of reality versus simulation was easy to buy into. The question “Is this real?” is asked in many films, perception versus reality being a common theme, but free will and reality became really intertwined, and the allegory about waking up being thought provoking. The movie taps into timeless concerns like control, freedom, rebellion, identity, and reality, which keep it relevant even decades after its release. Audiences continue to see The Matrix as a reflection of modern-day technology and surveillance, adding layers of meaning with each new viewing.
The Matrix also introduces viewers to a rich, complex universe filled with lore, such as the machine-controlled dystopia, the real world versus the simulated world, and the existence of Zion (the last human city). This detailed world-building lends a sense of depth and invites audience immersion.
Character development was on point as well. Morpheus, Trinity, Agent Smith: Each character is distinct, with clear motivations and personalities. Morpheus is the wise mentor, Trinity the strong and loyal fighter, and Agent Smith the relentless villain embodying the system’s oppressive force. Their acting was, while at times wooden, pretty good overall for an action movie.
The movie had an impact on society as well. Along with the aforementioned red/blue pill references, the amount of cool factor it had on society was immense. Black leather, trench coats, sunglasses – combining this with crazy martial arts abilities and hacking skills – made them instantly iconic and in no small way contributed to the film’s lasting cultural appeal. When 90’s goth was beginning to die out, The Matrix brought it back again for its swan song.
This video says it all – even after 25 years, The Matrix stands the test of time. It can be watched today, or for the umpteenth time, it does not disappoint.
