Review of Matrix, The

Introduction

The Matrix is the reason that DVDs were invented. Well maybe that`s hyperbole, but the fact remains that were it not for this particular title, the take up of DVD as a consumer product would have been at least delayed, if not reduced altogether. One of the reasons I bought a player in the first place was my experience of the Matrix VHS. This video, despite its widescreen format and special edition packaging, was the murkiest and most indistinct experience I ever had with VHS. Hardly anything of the film that I so enjoyed at the cinema was apparent on video, hence my desire to buy a DVD player. That desire was justified, because when I finally watched the Matrix on DVD, I was amazed and overwhelmed by the clarity and reproduction of the original cinema experience. It`s no wonder then, that after I bought the Matrix, it remained at the top of the DVD charts for several months. It was obviously the killer app for DVD players. Other discs have assumed that mantle of late, but the film is still a thrilling experience three years on.

Neo lives a double life. Mild mannered computer programmer by day, demon hacker by night, and his life is tormented by questions, questions about the Matrix he believes that the terrorist Morpheus can answer. He spends his nights searching for this mysterious and elusive character, but his activities draw the attention of the authorities and soon Agents wishing to use him to track Morpheus pursue him. However with the aid of another hacker, Trinity he is able to elude these fearsome characters and introduces him to Morpheus. It turns out that Morpheus has in turn been searching for him and believes that he is the `chosen one`, one who will have power over the Matrix and will free the human race from slavery, a slavery that is insidious and never apparent. What Morpheus tells Neo will alter his perceptions and change his world forever.

Video

The disc is given the treatment it deserves and 2.35 anamorphic transfer is what DVD is all about. The image is flawless in terms of clarity and depth of colour. This film took what came before it and totally blew it away in terms of effects and cinematography. The film design is spectacular, combining amazing fight sequences with outstanding stunts and innovative special effects to produce something that had never been seen on the cinema screen before. The Wachowski brothers direct this amazing film and redefine what is considered possible. The worlds that they paint are beautifully realised with powerful colours and vivid imagery.

Audio

The music by Don Davis is not insignificant in helping realise the storyline, but I must admit the choice of other music for the soundtrack is extremely effective. The lobby scene particularly springs to mind. The same is true for the sound, a DD 5.1 English soundtrack puts you in the film. Just turn the volume up and annoy your neighbours, you know you want to.

Features

Eighteen months ago, this disc was being touted as to how extras should be done. Looking at it now, that is no longer the truth, what with two disc sets and audio commentaries the expected thing. The Matrix no longer seems rich in extras and this may justify the release if The Matrix Revisited recently. But the original disc contains the usual filmographies. Add to that a documentary called `Making the Matrix`, a 26-minute look behind the scenes of the movie, with interviews and such like. Then there is the White Rabbit option, which allows you to jump out of the movie at various points to take a look at how certain scenes were realised. This amounts to nine clips totalling about 24 minutes of footage. Clicking on the two red pills takes you to two documentaries. `What is Bullet Time?` takes you to a 6-minute look at the special effect behind many of the films more memorable sequences. `What is the Concept?` show you how the concept drawings were realised into the final movie and lasts about 11 minutes. And that`s your lot. But wait, there`s more if you have a PC with a DVD Rom, There`s a quiz that finds out if you`re the one letting you watch some of the film for clues. A section called `Do you know Kung-fu?` lets you watch your favourite fight sequences. These two sections are pretty pointless, but what is excellent is the Screenplay and storyboards section. You can watch the film, shrunk in the same window as the storyboards relevant to that scene and the screenplay as well. Not all the storyboards are present, but it still is a fascinating addition. There are some essays regarding the films influences. Finally there are the usual links to online content, but amazingly, the original website as it was at the time of the disc`s release is also present. You can click through text interviews with the cast and crew. Click on different JPG photos, read material regarding the behind the scenes and the visual effects, there is a screensaver and more cast and crew filmographies and also some substantial comic book artwork. It`s such a shame that this excellent material isn`t available on your DVD player. I must mark the extras for the DVD playable material alone, but if you have a PC that can play this disc, assume that I would give it a nine.

Conclusion

Keanu Reeves stars as Neo and is excellent as the unwitting hacker thrown in at the deep end into a universe he can`t comprehend. Laurence Fishburne is his mentor, Morpheus and carries the part with a pseudo Zen air that suits the character well. Carrie-Anne Moss is stunning as the enigmatic Trinity and Hugo Weaving is brilliant as the eerie Agent Smith. Joe Pantoliano is Cypher and adds a little irreverence to the part. The cast work well together and really excel in their roles, not unexpected when you consider that the principals spent six months getting into shape and training for the strenuous action that takes place in this movie.

The Matrix, what can I say about this film that hasn`t already been said? The directors quote anime and cyberpunk as two big influences and it`s easy to see the effects on this film. The comic book violence comes straight from films like Akira and so on. However I found the Matrix to be highly derivative. The machines ruling the world have been done several times before, most notably Terminator, and the theme of the messiah, here `the chosen one` is a familiar device often used in cinema. Neo`s Luke Skywalker against Morpheus` Yoda is an obvious homage. Hell, if you push me, I can find elements of Tron in this. But all this is not a criticism, but more an observation. If it ain`t broke then don`t try and fix it. What the Wachowski brothers have done is take what`s best in previous stories and have created a visual world that is new and unparalleled in its ingenuity and excitement. They reinvent the old concepts in such a way that it`s as if you had never seen them before. A stunning film that is Star Wars for the 21st Century. I eagerly await the sequels.