The Matrix: Surpassing Dune, Still Reigns as the Ultimate Sci-Fi Masterpiece

As superhero movies are often considered as science fiction, The Matrix by the Wachowski siblings presents a narrative challenge with its gritty, unyielding depth and is a tough nut to crack. However, its greatness transcends the need for facile comparisons.

In the absence of The Matrix, the box office standout of 1999 would still be Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. But this wild horse galloped onto the scene, making audiences feel like Lucas' space opera had already drifted away from the times.

As the turn of the century loomed, The Matrix seemed perfectly timed, resonating with a plethora of contemporary themes. From the iconic trench coats, sunglasses, shades to existential skepticism and apocalyptic concerns inherent in Western civilization, the film explored the depths of societal angst with unparalleled vigor. Sensory revelations, coupled with astute commercialism not only made people aware for the first time that science fiction films, as a niche genre, also have astonishing power.

These retrospective endeavors to distill the greatness of this film series into six key themes.

01 The Matrix

The very essence of "Matrix" conjures images of the womb, the cradle of life. In the film's narrative, "Matrix" embodies not just a virtual construct but a metaphysical womb, a manufactured reality where human consciousness is ensnared by digital tendrils, becoming captive minds in a cybernetic cocoon. That is "brains in a jar".

This philosophical conjecture, birthed by the musings of scholars like Hilary Putnam, extends a philosophical hand to viewers, beckoning them to contemplate their existential quandaries. "How can one be certain of their reality amidst the machinations of unseen forces?" This inquiry, akin to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave", Descartes' "Evil Demon", and even Zhuangzi's "Butterfly Dream", finds its cinematic expression in the philosophical canvas of The Matrix.

The Matrix truly brings technological threat into the form of a philosophical hypothesis and achieves market and academic recognition.

02 Apocalyptic Aesthetics

Like all classic science fiction films, The Matrix is permeated with inquiries about modern civilization centered on "technology" and scientific rationality.

The film's cyberpunk atmosphere of the apocalypse is rendered to the extreme: gloomy and depressing visual space, damp and suffocating doomsday environments, and selfish and indifferent humans trapped in loneliness and despair. The film expands and spectacularizes the apocalyptic space of traditional science fiction genres. The gray tones and monotonous, restrained colors in the film reveal a boring and despondent atmosphere. The film's iconic opening scene, with neatly arranged green code rain, not only reflects the stark contrast between technological advancement and human fragility, but also broadens the visual symbols of the "cyberpunk" aesthetic style.

The cool character designs and sharp physical movements also seem to be a kind of excessive rationalization, a kind of regulation, restraint, and oppression of human nature.

03 Bullet Time

"Bullet Time" stands as a testament to the film's legacy in the annals of action cinema. When the computer agents shoot at Neo, the screen freezes, then rotates around Neo (Keanu Reeves) dodging bullets in slow motion at normal speed.

The meticulous craft behind these sequences involved intricate choreography and technical wizardry. Each frame, meticulously captured by an array of high-speed cameras, captures the balletic grace of Keanu Reeves' movements, frozen in time. What began as a mere concept on paper blossomed into a revolutionary cinematic technique, one that not only dazzled audiences but served as a metaphor for Neo's journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

The effect was revolutionary, freezing action for the first time in time and space. The cool dodging actions were not just showing off; they were closely related to Neo's growth, implying that his perception of the Matrix world had entered a new realm.

04 The Art of Combat and Authentic Training

Another hallmark of The Matrix is its masterful depiction of combat, epitomized by the riveting showdown between Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne in a Japanese dojo. It was a classic beauty, blending different factions, combining rigidity and softness without any circus-like martial arts.

The Matrix bridges Eastern and Western cultures, and viewers see Eastern martial arts and a variety of firearms in a crazy melee for the first time on the screen. This fusion serves as a visual metaphor for the film's broader thematic explorations, bridging cultural divides and challenging cinematic conventions.

Yuen Woo-ping, the martial arts director, gained international fame for this film and later served as the martial arts director for Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Under the guidance of martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, the film shattered industry norms, demanding rigorous physical training from its cast and revolutionizing Hollywood's approach to action cinema. This commitment to authenticity, coupled with its seamless integration of martial arts and gunplay, set a new standard for cinematic combat and paved the way for a new generation of action stars.

05 Operation of a Major IP

Long before cross-media franchises became the norm, The Matrix was a trailblazer in the realm of intellectual property management.

Around the turn of the millennium, in addition to shooting the "Matrix" trilogy, the Wachowski siblings also released The Animatrix, a 3D animated special in 2003, which supplemented the history of the war between machines and humans and the story of the awakened in the Matrix, as well as branches that the film could not fully cover, opening up a seemingly unrelated cultural feast with the film.

In 1999, DVDs were still the domain of movie buffs and collectors. The film's DVD was released in September 1999 and became the first film to sell 1 million copies and the first to sell 3 million copies of DVD, greatly promoting the popularization of DVDs.

06 Alternative Female Hero

In an era dominated by male-centric narratives, although the romantic subplot in the first film is somewhat cliché, The Matrix introduced audiences to Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss, Memento), a groundbreaking portrayal of female empowerment.

She leads a new style of female demeanor, makeup, and costumes, which are cool, composed, fiercely independent, neat, fashionable, neutral, and sexy without pandering to male gaze. Trinity shattered stereotypes and paved the way for a new generation of female action heroes. Her impact on popular culture cannot be overstated, inspiring countless imitators and cementing her status as a cultural icon.

07 Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves is one of the most unique stars in Hollywood. His tall figure, handsome face (mixed-race advantages), approachable personality seems to have not been tainted by the glamour of the world. His career ups and downs, as well as the sad stories of his personal life, have painted extraordinary colors for his life.

Before the turn of the millennium, although he had become famous with Speed, he was repeatedly nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award afterwards. Although he won back some ground with The Devil's Advocate, it wasn't until The Matrix that he returned to the forefront of Hollywood's leading male stars.

What's amazing is that Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, who served as his stunt doubles in The Matrix later tailored the John Wick, series for him, giving Keanu another set of classic films.

Today, the discussions about the complex puzzles, speculation, and mixed themes of The Matrix are abundant, and the relevant discussions have long since disappeared. However, as technology, the internet, and AI unprecedentedly invade our lives, looking back at this series of films, we can still feel those endless tentacles reaching out from the screen, stirring up the confusion and anxiety of every sensitive soul.