The Matrix (1999)
"When a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence."
I think a reason, of the many, that allows The Matrix to stand out is it's great balance of action and philosophy. In depth analyses and long essays can be written about the movie and what it means to us in real life. This film has helped influence the idea that our own universe is in it's own matrix, that life is a simulation, and we're all computer generated beings. I've taken college courses in philosophy and the concept of this film has been used to spark in-class discussions on what is existence, what it means to exist, is there a higher power, ect. But that sort of thinking isn't required to enjoy the movie. It is, at its core, and action thriller. There are great fighting sequences, there are loads of suspenseful moments, and it ends in a classic "good defeats evil" sort of way.
What really sets the film apart and what the movie is so famous for is the revolutionary graphics and effects. Sure, decades later, the graphics might've aged a bit, but you can't deny the impact it made to the industry. The iconic freezeframe-roundabout thing has been spoofed so many times. I mean, how cool was the "backbend to dodge bullets" moment! In fact, that entire ending sequence, from the moment they left to save Morpheus until the moment Neo defeats Agent Smith, was the most extraordinary sequence of a film you'll probably ever see in an action movie. It wasn't just the epic battles themselves, but the special effects and how the entire sequence was edited - it was cinematography at its best.
The entire way the Matrix was filmed and edited can attribute to the high quality and uniqueness of the film. You see it best whenever Morpheus is teaching Neo the ways of the world, so to speak. Through unique camera angles and clever transitions paired with the special effects, the concept of the matrix seems real and almost believable and alive. I don't know too much about behind the scenes tidbits, but I imagine for any aspiring film makers, the Matrix is worth a study.
The Matrix is the movie that made Keanu Reeves an A-list action star. His good looks and smooth voice made him an irreplaceable Neo, And hearing him say "I know Kung Fu" in a Keanu kind of way gets me every time. It's really hard not to like Keanu, especially given what went on behind the scenes. Around the release of the film, he experienced some heart breaking tragedies. But he never stopped for a second - when life knocked him down, he got back up again. On a more positive note, he donated at least a half of his salary from the Matrix, which was millions of dollars, to members from the special effects and editing teams - a well deserved donation to a probably underpaid crew that helped make the movie as great as it is.
Watching the first installment, it's quite clear that there is a presence of extensive lore of the universe that reaches beyond a singular film. While the Matrix is well written as a stand alone movie, there are plenty of opportunities to extend your knowledge on the universe - whether it be the sequels, the anime, video games, or comics. I will personally just watch the Matrix over and over rather than broaden my horizon, but knowing there's more just adds to the impressive world building that the film already achieved.
My Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆