1999
Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski
I am fairly certain that parts of this movie don't make an ounce of sense and that it overuses tired action cliches. Still, I saw this with my brother when he was having his angsty teenager phase (which meant he was rarely available for socialization) so I will always kind of like this.
Machines have taken over the world and are now harvesting humans for energy. This doesn't exactly scream plausibility but we will go with it. Anyway, all human beings are plugged into the Matrix, which is a shared simulation of the world as it was in 1999. Thomas Anderson is a computer hacker who grows suspicious of the world and the repeated instances of the mysterious phrase "the Matrix." Agents of the Matrix come after him, but he is saved by a group of rebels. The rebels believe that Thomas is the "One": the person destined to save the humans from the machines. The leader of the rebels, Morpheus, gives him a choice: you can take a red pill and learn the truth about the Matrix, or take a blue pill that will return him to his old life.
Sorry if that plot synopsis was a bit confusing. This film either went over my head or wasn't that well thought out to begin with. Either way, it is still fun. Neo dodging bullets might be one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my life. It is also fun to discuss which pill you would take. I think I would take the blue. Sorry humanity.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
The opening scene took six months of training and four days to shoot.
Ewan McGregor turned down the role of Neo as he was working on Star Wars.
Takes place in the year 2199.
I recall everyone at the time was taken aback by the originality of the premise, even though it was lifted lock, stock and barrel from an old sci-fi book of the fifties. Still, no shame in that, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteWhat does nark me a little about this admittedly excellent film is the astonishing number of people who seem to take it as some kind of fact. Everything is a conspiracy, governments and big business are in a centuries-old plot to keep you sedated, films, TV and every aspect of society have been carefully designed for the sole purpose of keeping you under control while 'they' exploit you. Wake up! Be like me! Take the red pill! Realise Russell Brand holds the real key to life's secrets!!
I was recently thinking about The Matrix movies and wondered if I watched all of them again, right in a row--would I then understand what the hell was going on most of the time? I'm glad I am not the only one who thinks some things did not make an ounce of sense. This was a fun movie but still left me thinking WTF?
ReplyDeleteI think everyone who has ever been high has had those thoughts, regardless of this film. Diana, I think I have only seen one of the sequels. Maybe it does clear stuff up?
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