🔴10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching The Matrix, 25 Years Later🔴
010 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching The Matrix, 25 Years Later
Although The Matrix remains a seminal moment in sci-fi movie history, a rewatch 25 years after its release reveals that some aspects of the movie hold up better than others. At its core, the Wachowskis' mind-bending thriller is still an iconic elevated action movie, boasting scenes and storylines that put many modern blockbusters to shame. And yet, for all its many strengths, certain moments prove that no movie – however influential – is perfect.
The Matrix's success stems from its inspired marriage of high-concept sci-fi and spectacular action. Built around the premise that the world is actually an illusion, the film follows the journey of programmer Thomas Anderson (a.k.a Neo) who joins a band of rebels fighting to secure freedom for all of humanity against the Machines. As his eyes are opened, Neo learns more about humanity's enslavement, coming into conflict with the sinister villain Agent Smith. This story sets up some of the most spectacular and innovative action sequences and moments in movie history. However, despite these highlights, The Matrix isn't entirely
Before Morpheus is properly introduced to Neo and the audience, Agent Smith describes the Nebuchadnezzar's captain as a "terrorist" and "possibly the most dangerous man alive". Given Smith's role as the primary antagonist and Morpheus' mission to free humanity, it's easy to dismiss this exchange as Machine propaganda. The truth, however, is that for all his good intentions, Morpheus and his crew really are a threat to humanity.
...despite painting himself as a soldier for humanity, Morpheus spends much of the movie murdering his fellow humans.
Given that every human in the Matrix is plugged in, injuries they sustain in the simulation also affect their bodies in the real world. Although it's part of a bigger battle, Morpheus and the team therefore kill dozens of different people throughout the movie, gunning them down with little regard for their role as pawns for the Machines. Admittedly, every one of them is potentially an Agent, thanks to the Matrix's possession laws. Nevertheless, despite painting himself as a soldier for humanity, Morpheus spends much of the movie murdering his fellow humans.
On release in 1999, The Matrix's visual effects were rightly praised as ground-breaking. However, 25 years on from its release, some of the movie's biggest VFX shots now seem somewhat disappointing compared to modern blockbusters. The most egregious offenders are scenes like the helicopter crash, where the building's windows warp unrealistically. What makes these moments feel more egregious is that the film's practical effects, such as in the lobby fight sequence, still look incredible – highlighting shortcomings in other areas.
Continuing the trend of disappointing effects, The Matrix's signature fight scene – Neo's bullet time sequence – does not look as impressive as it once did. Although some of the visuals are deliberately stylized, the trails left by the bullets and Neo's frantic arm flailing now seem a little underwhelming compared to when the scene was first screened. The bullet time sequences still form a distinctive part of The Matrix's iconic aesthetic. Despite this, however, there are aspects of the effect that don't feel quite as groundbreaking as they used to
Although Hugo Weaving steals the show as the psychotic Agent Smith, Joe Pantoliano's turn as Cypher gives The Matrix another great supporting villain. However, despite Pantoliano's performance, Cypher's in-story plot doesn't make much sense on reflection. The main problem is how his initial meeting with Smith at the steak restaurant was supposed to take place, given that plugging himself in with no assistance seems impossible. Furthermore, given his demand to "remember nothing", he has absolutely no way of keeping Smith to his word. His story certainly adds jeopardy, but falls apart under scrutiny.