Mini Review #120: The Matrix (1999) (Patreon)

MR. ANDERSONNNNNNNN

While I have seen this movie before, it has been a long time since my last viewing. But more importantly, I watched this movie because I recently had the urge to watch the other two Matrix movies as well (and maybe the 4th but I don't know about that yet), and I thought it would be good to have a refresher. I forgot how EPIC this movie is! From the stand out and crazy visuals that literally changed cinema and action films to the grungy score, sets, and lighting. This movie is exactly what action movies are all about. The premise is insanely well put together and the reveals that keep coming are very well structured. I really enjoyed watching this movie knowing the basic premise of the Matrix as a concept because I was able to detect a lot of the foreshadowing and heavy lifting the film does early on to prepare audiences for the shock. The script was much better than I anticipated as well and all the action felt like it had a reason to happen. The directing by the Wachowski brothers (now sisters) was impeccable and everything felt like it was framed to perfection. There were a lot of really neat reflection shots in the film which felt very intentional with the duality of the Matrix and the real world but I didn't know if I was reading into it to much. I just can't get over some of the action and how cool it was. It may seem less cool now because we have had over 20 years of movies trying to imitate this one, but put yourself into the mindset of an audience member who has never seen a movie like this. The extreme wire work, the slow motion shots, the crazy karate mixed with grunge rock music, the green colour palette, it must have been so overwhelmingly cool at the time and I can see how this inspired a generation of action filmmakers. Anyways, I am excited about the next two films! I have obviously heard some negative things about them but I am going in with an open mind!