Classic Film Review #11: The Matrix (1999)

This ground-breaking sci-fi odyssey made a return to public consciousness not so long ago on account of its unfairly derided, studio-enforced fourth instalment. And, while there were undoubtedly merits to Resurrections, it is this debut outing which remains the franchise’s finest moment.

Resplendent in all its delicately choreographed action, The Matrix has somehow not aged despite Hollywood’s relentless progression of special effects over the last 24 years and retains an innate spirit of innovation and progression at its core. This is clearly evidenced by the sense of awe viewers still feel when watching Keanu Reeves’ legendary protagonist Neo dodging bullets in slow motion, or the legendary Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) dishing out a beating to a roomful of foes.

Indeed, it’s hard to argue against the notion that this is both Reeves and Moss’ most iconic roles, with both imbuing an irrepressible air of cool throughout the film’s proceedings. The same could be said for Laurence Fishburne, in fine fettle as the scene-stealing rebellion leader Morpheus, and Hugo Weaving, who does a fine job dishing out the pithy one-liners and pessimistic monologues that make antagonist Agent Smith so memorable.

The central storyline of The Matrix, although not devoid of fault, is also one of its clearest USPs, specifically for the way it forecast the burgeoning roles of both virtual reality and artificial intelligence within modern society. Here, machines are depicted as humanity’s eventual overlords in a manner that is both fanciful and not entirely implausible, with the film’s heroes fighting tirelessly to liberate their human counterparts from their imposed tyranny.

The Matrix wears its many influences proudly and (at times) unevenly, but viewers can easily renovate with the clear Biblical notion of Reeves’ Neo being ‘the One’ that is prophesised to save humankind from a life of enslavement. In choosing such a familiar narrative throughfare, the Wachowski’s ensured their franchise always retained a broad appeal that no doubt did its part in helping it achieve such rampant commercial successor.

Undoubtedly a game-changer for the sci-fi genre, The Matrix remains an iconic, one-of-a-kind classic.