Timeless Classics and Personal Favorites
Sure, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and Gone With the Wind are classics revered by many, but I find myself gravitating towards films made after the 1950s. That said, there’s no denying the brilliance of Citizen Kane; it’s a great film, but not my top pick. When it comes to classic old movies, It’s a Wonderful Life holds a special place in my heart. I still get choked up during that scene where George Bailey stands on the bridge, overwhelmed after witnessing a world where he was never born.
The Matrix: A Modern Masterpiece
The Matrix might not be a tear-jerker, but it is undoubtedly a modern classic. For those few who haven’t seen it, here’s a quick rundown: Our reality is a computer-generated illusion, the actual world is a desolate wasteland, and Neo is “The One” destined to save humanity. The film dazzles with groundbreaking special effects, but even if it had been made in 1982 with the same effects as James Cameron’s The Terminator, it would still be an exceptional movie.
A Classic Hero’s Journey
At its core, The Matrix is a hero’s journey. Neo starts as an ordinary office worker who spends his free time hacking software. His boss insists that he’s wrong to think he can bend the rules, but this is Neo’s last day in the only world he’s ever known. The film explores themes of choice, freedom, and the perpetual struggle against incomprehensible forces.
The idea that our world is just a prelude to a greater reality resonates with many, as most religions suggest. Neo begins the film as a doubter of his own potential but evolves into a near-deity capable of manipulating the Matrix at will. His final confrontation with an Agent and his subsequent transformation into a code-wielding hero are highlights of the film. In the closing scene, Neo blocks a trace program from the Matrix and promises to return, then soars into the sky like Superman.
Evaluating the Special Effects
While The Matrix boasts impressive effects, one scene stands out for its lack of realism: the helicopter crash into a building, which ripples like water. This is a minor flaw that’s easy to overlook, given the film’s overall visual impact.
A Standalone Classic and its Problematic Sequels
The Matrix is a self-contained story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The brief scene hinting at a sequel is subtle and doesn’t detract from its completeness. However, the two sequels that followed were disappointing. They were marred by excessively fake special effects and convoluted plots that undermined the original film. Not only did they disregard Neo’s god-like status from the first movie, but they also introduced absurd fight scenes that were unnecessary.
Character Arcs and Unrealized Potential
The Matrix’s trio of heroes—Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus—are treated poorly in the sequels. By the end, Trinity is dead, Neo is both blind and deceased, and Morpheus is relegated to hiding in Zion’s basement. This degradation of characters is unacceptable.
Hoping for a Return
Despite the shortcomings of the sequels, I remain hopeful that a worthy sequel to The Matrix will eventually be made. The original film’s innovative spirit and gripping narrative deserve a follow-up that lives up to its legacy.
OMG, you bring up the point I have been SCREEMING in my mind FOREVER now. HOW can there be any fight scenes in any of the movies after the last 15 mintues of The Matrix? Neo can see the code, alter it, delete it, recreate it… With that ability, he could simply imagine EVERY agent Smith shattering into a thousand pieces and that’s what would happen. If he can freeze a bullet with his mind, he can freeze every agent into a statue. If he can control the Matrix with his mind, then there is no way to even suggest that there could be a fight from then on worth watching. He could have cloned himself, flew into the body of every agent Smith and imploded them like he did in The Matrix… how can you defend against that? That makes every subsequent movie’s fights total BULLSHIT!