How to operate with a blown mind

The Matrix (1999)

Pretty much out of nowhere in 1999 the Wachowski brothers unleashed The Matrix staring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss. A young software engineer is bored with his life and seeks something more by indulging in cyber crime in his spare time.

While not massively original on a basic level what makes this film stand out is it's vast ranging influences and exceptional execution. Influences for the plot start with Plato's Allegory of the Cave and runs through philosophy, dystopia fiction, dream fiction from the likes of Lewis Carroll, Japanese animation, Hong Kong action film and the cyberpunk movement. It make take the basic hero plot that served as a model so well on many occasions, think Luke Skywalker, but this great depth of themes really elevates the film far beyond your basic action film. You can really watch this film back a number of times and run a fine tooth comb over the dialogue which does a great job of hiding little nuggets you may miss the first time.

The film itself picked up 4 Oscars for the excellent technical work but it is a surprise that it did not pick up more, not even nominated for best film. Everything about this film is spot on from the sets, music and actions sequences creating a tour de force of tone and atmosphere through out, the first third of the film in particular is outstanding for this. Given the directors only previous film was a much lower budget drama with little or no special effects it really is an amazing achievement. Keanu Reeves is not the world's greatest actor but he does a good job in the lead role but Laurence Fishburne really deserved an Oscar for a performance that did not even get him a nomination.

What makes this film so great is that it has not only style in abundance but also attention to detail and substance. The themes of the film are clear but remain general enough that they can apply to various systems of control and put some real flesh on the bones of the amazing action sequences that are the antithesis of the modern trend for confusing flash cutting.

5/5 it is hard to believe it has been over 10 years.