The Matrix (1999), Directors: Lana and Lilly Wachowski; rated R for language, sci-fi violence, disturbing scenes Screenwriters: Lana and Lilly Wachowski, Cinematography: Bill Pope, Editing: Zach Staenberg, Music: Don Davis Starring: Keanu Reeves (Neo), Laurence Fishburne (Morpheus), Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity), Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith), Joe Pantoliano (Cypher), Marcus Chong (Tank), Anthony Ray Parker (Dozer), Juian Arahanga (Apoc), Matt Doran (Mouse), Rowan Witt (Spoon Boy) Plot Summary: A computer programmer named Thomas Anderson, known in the hacking underworld as Neo, feels that something is fundamentally wrong with his reality. He is contacted by the enigmatic Morpheus and Trinity, who offer him the chance to discover a shocking truth: that his world is actually a computer-generated simulation. Upon swallowing a red pill, Neo awakens in the desolate real world and begins a journey to free humanity from the machines that have enslaved them.
Neo finally gets to meet Morpheus. They discuss the Matrix and what means. Morpheus finally presents Neo with a choice, two pills, one red and one blue. The blue pill will allow Neo to go back to his life as he currently knows it: his apartment, his job, his controlled environment. The Red pill will show him the truth about the Matrix. What follows is Neo's rebirth and it is perhaps one of the greatest moments in Sci-Fi cinema. Something subtle you might have missed: mirror, mirror There are many instances in the film where we see important revelations in reflections: the red and blue pills are seen in Morpheus' sunglasses; Neo witnesses a broken mirror mend itself; images in a spoon contort as the spoon begins to melt; the helicopter is seen in the picture windows of a skyscraper. These reflections, and their distortions, shows that the Matrix, though complicated and incredible, is not reality. Memorable Quotes: "This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." - Morpheus "Welcome to the desert of the real." - Morpheus "Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we are the cure." - Agent Smith "You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize?... Ignorance is bliss." - Cypher Dad's Review:
This film from 1999 was the next evolution of that concept. Ironically, many of us in the data processing field were very busy in 1999. We were busy fixing code related to the coming of the year 2000. There was a lot of program code that only looked at a two-digit year. I mean, really? That fact, and its short-sidedness, always amazed me. However, back then, programmers did everything they could to save space, even two digits. We spent almost all of 1999 making the necessary updates. As a result, the first week of 2000 was a non-event. The system did not collapse as was predicted. Much of The Matrix is centered around a complex system that has created a faux environment. The film is ground-breaking and completely original. As I sat in the theater, I could not believe how much it blew my mind! On one level it's a sci-fi action thriller, but there are some very deep philosophical questions raised:
A ton of credit has to go to the film's principal creators, the Wachowskis, Lana and Lilly. Can you imagine how they must have conveyed the concept of this film to their cast and filmmaking crew? It is so cerebral and abstract. This pioneering film in the cyberpunk film sub-genre employed mind-bending special effects; an rich soundtrack of alternative music; and some the best wire harness stunts ever (on par with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)). It film also made Carrie-Ann Moss a star. She portrays Trinity, the ultimate Goth super-chick, and she kicks a lotta serious butt. The Matrix has taken some heat due to the lobby scene. It reminded many viewers of the Columbine school shooting which was fresh on everybody's mind at the time. The shooters there also wore black trench coats, and used automatic weapons. All I can say, especially since I support bans on automatic weapons, is that within the film, Neo and Trinity know they are not killing humans, but rather, systematically-generated programs, disguised as humans, within the matrix. Furthermore, I request that everyone support, by vote, politicians who specify reasonable gun control measures, such as age limits, background checks, waiting periods, and a complete ban on weapons designed for war with the specific intent of killing people. It makes sense and every human with a brain knows it! END. Onto No. 20... The Gloomy Paladin
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Defining Moment:
the red
pill
The concept that machines
eventually take over our world
was memorably demonstrated in James Cameron's Terminator films.
Humanity
would be screwed if this were to really occur.