Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster Directed By: Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Region Code: 1 Release Date: September 21, 1999 Running Time: 136 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 31, 1999
Amazon.com essential video: By following up their debut thriller Bound with the 1999 box-office smash The Matrix, the codirecting Wachowski brothers--Andy and Larry--annihilated any suggestion of a sophomore jinx, crafting one of the most exhilarating sci-fi/action movies of the 1990s. Set in the not too distant future in an insipid, characterless city, we find a young man named Neo (Keanu Reeves). A software techie by day and a computer hacker by night, he sits alone at home by his monitor, waiting for a sign, a signal--from what or whom he doesn't know--until one night, a mysterious woman named Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) seeks him out and introduces him to that faceless character he has been waiting for: Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). A messiah of sorts, Morpheus presents Neo with the truth about his world by shedding light on the dark secrets that have troubled him for so long: "You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad." Ultimately, Morpheus illustrates to Neo what the Matrix is--a reality beyond reality that controls all of their lives, in a way that Neo can barely comprehend.
Neo thus embarks on an adventure that is both terrifying and enthralling. Pitted against an enemy that transcends human concepts of evil, Morpheus and his team must train Neo to believe that he is the chosen champion of their fight. With mind-boggling, technically innovative special effects and a thought-provoking script that owes a debt of inspiration to the legacy of cyberpunk fiction, this is much more than an out-and-out action yarn; it's a thinking man's journey into the realm of futuristic fantasy, a dreamscape full of eye candy that will satisfy sci-fi, kung fu, action, and adventure fans alike. Although the film is headlined by Reeves and Fishburne--who both turn in fine performances--much of the fun and excitement should be attributed to Moss, who flawlessly mixes vulnerability with immense strength, making other contemporary female heroines look timid by comparison. And if we were going to cast a vote for most dastardly movie villain of 1999, it would have to go to Hugo Weaving, who plays the feckless, semipsychotic Agent Smith with panache and edginess. As the film's box-office profits soared, the Wachowski brothers announced that The Matrix is merely the first chapter in a cinematically dazzling franchise--a chapter that is arguably superior to the other sci-fi smash of 1999 (you know... the one starring Jar Jar Binks). --Jeremy Storey
Description: Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells of a computer hacker (Reeves) who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth. The computers are powered by human beings...
DVD Features: Audio Commentary:Commentary by C. Moss, J. Gaeta, & Z. Staenberg Featurette:"Bullet Time" Featurette (6:01) "What is the Concept" Featurette (10:50) Music Clips:2.0 Music only with commentary Other:HBO 1st Look Special: Making the Matrix (25:48) "White Rabbit" Clips (22:22) [4x3]
Imagine what you could achieve if you could achieve what you can imagine... When I first watched The Matrix, I did not understand much of what the movie was about. I enjoyed it.
When I bought the dvd and watched it again years later, I did realise it was a metaphor about awakening, detaching from and looking at the world from a new perspective. The movie contains both Christian and Buddhist symbolism. Neo, the one is the hero who may potentially save the world.
The Buddha quotation 'With our thoughts we make the world' explains the Matrix program that Neo and others are hooked up to fueled by human thought energy. Neo becomes separated and reborn when detached from The Matrix. Now knowing 'the everyday world is an illusion,' Neo begins his training, and joins the resistance.
We can be like Neo. We can free ourselves from 'The Matrix' and develop to our own potential.
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Unmatched Before seeing this movie, I didn't even know there WAS a red pill.
Thank you brothers W
Technically, this movie can't be beaten. But what is it's message? I've enjoyed the segments I've seen of this movie, but had yet to see the whole thing. Visually, this movie cannot be beat.
Also, I think Marcus Chong deserved more notable billing for his portrayal as Tank. He made the movie, in my opinion.
The directing is great. The angle shown of the agent dodging bullets differed from the hero doing the same thing, and this added to the suspense and the concern for the hero.
The story is a bit on the dark side, without one conclusively knowing who survived except for Neo (Keanu Reeves). This movie had spiritual overtones that I want to comment on.
In an internet group I'm on, someone compared this movie with the Chronicles of Narnia, and said this movie was more Christian than Lewis' classic series. Having seen the movie, I really disagree.
This movie fits into a relativistic mindset. There are no absolutes. The oracle told Neo "what he needed to hear", but that turned out to be a lie. Neo definitely fits into a substitute Messiah, having skills the others do not have. The ideal, though, is to be antinomian, that is, without rules. This is contrary to Biblical Christianity.
Just my thoughts.
The Matrix Has You The Good Things *Fantastic, ground-breaking special effects and stylish action. *Intruiging premise, with a storyline that keeps you hooked. *Good cast of characters; great acting. *Even though certain influences are obvious, it doesn't necessarily rip-off anything. It's very original in its own right. *The writing is excellent. Not only is it easy to comprehend, but also has a lot of complex themes concerning philosophy, sociology, and mythology (and perhaps theology, although that is more apparent in the sequels). Each new viewing reveals something new to think about. *Filming style is excellent, even when the camera is not doing a 360-degree turn. It's fresh, original, and has many strong motifs. The use of colors is excellent as well. *Now that I've seen it five times, I can see strong continuity with the sequels. *Awesome music.
The Bad Things *A little slow for the first half. All of the fighting is more in the end. *Those who do not like action movies may find this stupid.
I still consider this to be an absolute favorite. Aside from mind-bending action and effects, the story is swell and has lots of awesome, memorable characters. Themes and motifs are strong, and with each new viewing, something new can be discovered. It is even stronger now that the sequels are out, and one can see how all three films work together as a whole. It is constantly refreshing and exciting to watch this, for it is probably the most intelligent action movie ever made. If all action movies were made this way, perhaps Hollywood could redeem itself! I expect that this will become a cinematic classic; everybody should see it at least once in their life.
Great Movie, Alot of Symbolism Last night, I have watched one of my favorite movies, "The Matrix" as I have seen it many times. I would highly recommend this movie, and I am not talking about just the full trilogy. I am talking about the very first one, this one. There is alot of symbolism in this movie and certainly several aspects that would drive one mad and utter turns to disbelief if it were to be true. What if our reality is the Matrix? Don't start looking for the holes on your arms...yet.
Also, there was alot of dailogues between Neo and Morpheus that is memorable, including this one:
"The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it. Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?"
The woman in the red dress is what we would consider to be temptation. There are those who tasted temptation, lived for it, and will die for it...even though it is a lie. Interesting, eh?
Go out and see this movie. It is surely a must see and there's a good deal to learn from it. But, if you're not into symbolism of the movie, the actions and fights were "awesome," as my inner child would say.
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Trevor
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