The Matrix (1999)
September 13th 2008 08:55 pm
Warning: Spoilers below
I remember the hype surrounding The Matrix when it first burst on to the scene. I remember going to see it and being absolutely blown away. I remember going to see it again and enjoying it even more on the second watch. Now having seen it for what must be nearing the 20th time it is still a phenominal film that still makes me say audible “wows!” at certain scenes.
It is not a flawless film. It starts well as is going strong until after Neo is brought into the real world. It then starts to stutter a little in certain scenes (the visit to the Oracle and Morpheus’ interrogation) but then I am awoken with a bang and get to enjoy probably the best final 30 minutes of an action film ever. They really pushed the envelope with this film and not just with the now trademark “bullet-time”. It was the use of wire-work to make the fight sequences more balletic and (for want of a better word) cooler. It is this that has had the biggest impact on action films being made today.
But it is not just the action that makes this film stand out amongst the crowd though. The Wachowski’s (and DOP Bill Pope) stage some amazing camera shots: The car pulling outside the building seen from the roof as the rain pours down. The ascension of the staircase as the camera slowly rotates up the middle. The pills reflected in Morpheus’ sunglasses. These and many more are shots that add depth to a film that could have easily have rested on it’s action merits but decided to be visually stunning as well.
Also, how can I review The Matrix without mentioning its soundtrack? If you look at the artists list you may be put off (Rage Against The Machine, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie) but it works within the film so much. I find myself sitting through the end credits just to listen to the music!
The Matrix raised the bar for action films which still hasn’t been topped to this day.
[10/10]
Lindsay responded on 17 Sep 2008 at 3:44 pm #
I soooo wanna watch Matrix again! We were just talking about it the other day, you’ve now made me even more determinded to watch it again soon!!
Clueless (1995) | Adam White responded on 26 Sep 2008 at 9:40 pm #
[...] Oh, and an interesting side-note is that the cinematography on Clueless was done by Bill Pope. The man who later went on to work on The Matrix! [...]
The Thirteenth Floor (1999) | Adam White responded on 24 Oct 2008 at 9:21 pm #
[...] trying to steal it’s thunder but failing miserably. So it was the same apparently with The Matrix and The Thirteenth Floor (it came out two weeks [...]