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Post by Dan E. Moderator on Mar 31, 2019 20:03:46 GMT
This Week: The Matrix Chosen by: scipioafricanus  Released: 1999 Starring: Keanu Reeves Director: The Wachowskis Producer: Joel Silver Writer: The Wachowskis |
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dschult3
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Post by dschult3 on Mar 31, 2019 20:30:04 GMT
This movie kicks so much ass, it is ridiculous. I missed the theatrical release, because I was in Marine Corps boot camp at the time. I saw it in Okinawa years later, and it shocked me how much I had been missing out on. I love this movie.
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stratogustav
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Post by stratogustav on Mar 31, 2019 21:18:27 GMT
One of my favorite movies of all time. I'm actually one of the few people that likes the whole trilogy for the philosophy alone. It is so on point it makes your brain have an orgasm based on pure agreement.
10 out of 10, I highly recommend this video about it, it's kind of funny too:
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scipioafricanus
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Post by scipioafricanus on Mar 31, 2019 21:33:18 GMT
20 years to the day of the release.
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Balder
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Post by Balder on Mar 31, 2019 21:56:43 GMT
The most important film to me of all time. It's what really got me into movies. From what I wrote about this movie on Letterboxd: "My most watched movie and one of my all time favorites. I watched The Matrix all the time back in 6th or 7th grade. I showed this movie to everyone, my dad, brother, friends, friends of friends. Everyone had to see this. It is the movie that really really got me into movies. It was something more than an average action movie, it was The Fucking Matrix man! I cannot even remember how I found this movie. I probably heard the name The Matrix on the internet somewhere, I remember when we bought the DVD set. My dad ordered some movies on a site and I asked him to buy this too. I even remember talking about this movie in elementary school with a teacher (he was pretty cool). And people saying this does not hold up are liars." A really great film to end on Dan E. Kool. Mad respect. |
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Cervantes
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Post by Cervantes on Apr 2, 2019 1:11:42 GMT
I must've watched it at least 15-20 times since its release - almost every year I have to get impressed again. It was so good at reflecting that "end of decade" feeling, at sumarizing the coolness of the 90s: it's all about cool black clothes and shades, the internet, virtual reality, japanese cultural influence (from anime/video games) and heavily stylized violence. It wasn't just a bunch of well made special effects that still hold up pretty well: the entire thing was the perfect movie for that time. I think we can't really measure the influence it had later on: from opening the world to chinese cinema (good stuff like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon would never have made so much success without The Matrix opening doors to that style of action in the west) and adult-oriented anime (I think Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Ninja Scroll, Cowboy Bebop and others became much more famous after it), to inspiring countless games and entire genres in the 2000s (the character-action genre is deeply rooted in The Matrix influence, starting from Devil May Cry).
One thing that leaves me sad is how everyone says that the sequels were terrible. See, I can agree that the film sequels were disappointing (though I wouldn't say horrible), but the anime sequel is an outstanding followup to the first movie: I don't know why, but The Animatrix has unfairly become this forgotten gem over the years and never gets mentioned when the series is discussed.
In case anyone doesn't know about it:
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Balder
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Post by Balder on Jul 31, 2019 22:52:55 GMT
I watched The Matrix for the first time in 5 or 6 years and it was a special occasion. Felt like writing a good review for it:
"My milestone movies on Letterboxd are always special, and my 365th watches are always as special as they can be. So it should be no surprise that The Matrix is very special to me. The Matrix is the movie I have watched the most. It was the first movie I ever bought myself, and when I saw it, it blew my balls off. I loved it so much I showed to everyone (all of my close friends, and even people I did not know that well). The cool thing is that even to this day, those people I did not know that well will still talk to me about that time I showed them this movie. The Matrix is a movie that brings people together, and it has always been a film I watch with someone. What was great is that I had someone over who had not watched it before, so the tradition of watching it with someone new lives on. Now even though this is the movie I have watched the most, I have not watched it in 5 or 6 years. I have always wanted to rewatch those years, but for some reason I did not. And when they announced the 4K version, I had to wait for it.
The Matrix is the coolest movie ever made. Maybe not the best movie, but it IS the coolest thing ever made. The style is unparalleled. Even my dad who does not like this movie will always comment on people wearing big coats and sunglasses and say they look like someone from The Matrix. In a way it is sort of like Star Wars in that it blends several genres into one masterpiece. It does not only have one of the best martial art scenes, but it also has my favorite shootout scene (the lobby shootout). Everything in this just screams cool to me, and even to this day I am just as excited to watch it as I was back in the day.
The Matrix holds up remarkably well in every aspect. The effects are outstanding. I am stunned by the 360 rooftop shootout even now. It has a style that has been copied so many times over the years by now, but never replicated. I love everything about this movie; the characters, the story, the cinematography, the pacing and the action, all top notch and perfect. As I said, this was the first time I watched it in 4K with HDR, and ho-ly shit does it look fantastic. The amount of details shown in 4K is amazing. Raindrops and broken glass look particularly amazing. They finally toned down the awful green tint that the standard Blu-Ray release had and now it looks perfect. This is the best looking 4K Blu-Ray I have seen along with Blade Runner.
So there it is, The Matrix in all its glory. Best film ever? Debatable. Coolest? Definitively." 5/5
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Spirit Bomb
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Post by Spirit Bomb on Aug 1, 2019 21:43:26 GMT
The first and second Matrix movies were good. Never liked the third one. I unfortunately haven't watched The Animatrix yet.
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Cervantes
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Post by Cervantes on Aug 1, 2019 21:58:26 GMT
The first and second Matrix movies were good. Never liked the third one. I unfortunately haven't watched The Animatrix yet. I bet you would like it, or at least some of the segments. The CG one, "Last Flight of Osiris", is quite impressive and, visually, looks like the Final Fantasy movie, so I know it's up your alley. My favorite short is the one with the detective, though, such a good story/mood. |
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Spirit Bomb
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Post by Spirit Bomb on Aug 1, 2019 22:05:45 GMT
The first and second Matrix movies were good. Never liked the third one. I unfortunately haven't watched The Animatrix yet. I bet you would like it, or at least some of the segments. The CG one, "Last Flight of Osiris", is quite impressive and, visually, looks like the Final Fantasy movie, so I know it's up your alley. My favorite short is the one with the detective, though, such a good story/mood. Second hand Animatrix DVDs are super cheap here ($2-3) and in great supply, almost like nobody wants them, so there's really no reason for me not to pick it up. |
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dschult3
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Post by dschult3 on Sept 16, 2023 2:52:59 GMT
I just rewatched the trilogy, since they are available on Peacock for free. The first one really stands the test of time. I've got to say that the editing is superb in every way. The fight sequences were fast and fun. The story moved at a good pace. The music just pumps you up. "Dodge this!" I love everything about this movie.
Now 2 and 3? That's a completely different story. The Matrix Reloaded drags in the beginning. I feel like the Wachowskis were playing with style over substance. The highway scene and the Frenchman's scenes were extremely cool. However, the beginning sequence with Zion just seemed to drag on and on. Morpheous' speech was comical, to say the least. He's so damn cool in the series, but then he does this "What would you do without freedom?" speech, and he changes his voice to sound more serious. It was cringy, to say the least. The fight scenes were too choreographed. They felt like dance videos. The CG throughout the file was just overly excessive. And of course the ending...A cliff hanger. Which of course leads me to this:
It dawned on me about halfway through the 3rd movie; It is a retelling of The Return of the Jedi. The three ships flying around and doing sneaky stuff reminds me of the Forest Moon of Endor. Niobi is Lando. Hell, during her crazy flying scenes, I expected her to say "That was too close." (They even asked about clearance codes when they have to get through the gate during the big battle for Zion.) The fighting scenes at the docks reminded me of the air and ground battles throughout The Return of the Jedi. Neo's fight with Agent Smith has all of the earmarks of the fight with Darth Vader and the Emperor. Of course, the sacrifice at the end is different, but I just couldn't lose the feeling that this movie was heavily influenced by The Return of the Jedi.
As for my overall thoughts after revisiting the trilogy? I could do without 2 and 3. The 1st one is so cool, that it withstands the test of time. I feel like there are many good ideas in the sequels, but I just don't feel like they are hashed out as well as the first one.
Now here's the big question. Should I spend time watching the 4th movie?
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stratogustav
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Post by stratogustav on Sept 16, 2023 19:37:40 GMT
I like 2 and 3 a lot. The first one is good too. Honestly you can't enjoy only one movie. They all need each other. They all complete each other. They are some of the coolest movies ever made.
The fourth movie is lame by comparison, but it is at least entertaining, it is fine as long as all you are looking is for entertainment.
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scipioafricanus
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Post by scipioafricanus on Sept 16, 2023 21:08:20 GMT
I just rewatched the trilogy, since they are available on Peacock for free. The first one really stands the test of time. I've got to say that the editing is superb in every way. The fight sequences were fast and fun. The story moved at a good pace. The music just pumps you up. "Dodge this!" I love everything about this movie. Now 2 and 3? That's a completely different story. The Matrix Reloaded drags in the beginning. I feel like the Wachowskis were playing with style over substance. The highway scene and the Frenchman's scenes were extremely cool. However, the beginning sequence with Zion just seemed to drag on and on. Morpheous' speech was comical, to say the least. He's so damn cool in the series, but then he does this "What would you do without freedom?" speech, and he changes his voice to sound more serious. It was cringy, to say the least. The fight scenes were too choreographed. They felt like dance videos. The CG throughout the file was just overly excessive. And of course the ending...A cliff hanger. Which of course leads me to this: It dawned on me about halfway through the 3rd movie; It is a retelling of The Return of the Jedi. The three ships flying around and doing sneaky stuff reminds me of the Forest Moon of Endor. Niobi is Lando. Hell, during her crazy flying scenes, I expected her to say "That was too close." (They even asked about clearance codes when they have to get through the gate during the big battle for Zion.) The fighting scenes at the docks reminded me of the air and ground battles throughout The Return of the Jedi. Neo's fight with Agent Smith has all of the earmarks of the fight with Darth Vader and the Emperor. Of course, the sacrifice at the end is different, but I just couldn't lose the feeling that this movie was heavily influenced by The Return of the Jedi. As for my overall thoughts after revisiting the trilogy? I could do without 2 and 3. The 1st one is so cool, that it withstands the test of time. I feel like there are many good ideas in the sequels, but I just don't feel like they are hashed out as well as the first one. Now here's the big question. Should I spend time watching the 4th movie? |
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dschult3
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Post by dschult3 on Oct 24, 2023 23:35:47 GMT
<Spoiler Alert for a 20 year old set of shorts> <Spoiler Alert for a 20 year old set of shorts> <Spoiler Alert for a 20 year old set of shorts> I just watched the shorts in the Animatrix. I got the DVD for $1 at a resale place near me. I give it a 6 or a 7 out of 10. (6 1/2?) I was a bit disappointed in the story telling. The animation is fantastic, but I just couldn't get over the elements developed in their individual, yet collective plots. The Final Flight of the Osiris looked like a tech demo. It was an OK short. The Second Renaissance feels like a 7th grade writing assignment. "The more intelligent robots were thwarted by the EEEEEEEEEEVIL humans in achieving peace, so they became merciless killing machines. Poor B1-66ER."  With the way the current planet is so divided, people can barely pick toppings on a pizza, let alone vote on wiping out peace loving robots who show up to the UN as peaceful, loving machines. Oh yeah, and humans would kill the robots by the millions and dump them into the ocean, without the thought of reusing the raw materials? I think not. Also, why wouldn't the humans just integrate robot technology into their bodies to become super human? I couldn't help but question everything that came about in the story. All I did was cringe while watching this one. Kid's Story had great animation. The story of him getting himself out of The Matrix was interesting. It felt too short, though. I really wanted to know more. Program had FANTASTIC animation. I loved the Medieval Japanese motif while in the program. The story was a bit "meh" at best though. The guy getting punched at the end was supposed to be a "daaaauuummn" moment, and it didn't hit that way for me. World Record was incredibly cool. I loved how the dude was so fast that he could break through The Matrix. When he broke the world record, he actually started to see the 1s and 0s. That was a great idea. I also appreciated how it ended. Wouldn't it have been cool if he was one of the original "Neos" from an earlier version of the Matrix? Beyond was probably my favorite of the 8 (technically 9) shorts. I believe it ties into paranormal experiences people have here on Earth. Sometimes weird stuff happens, and there isn't a proper explanation for it. Then The Matrix had to correct itself, before too many people found out what had happened. I really liked how they experimented with gravity, and the kids just kept going with it. I found this one a lot of fun. A Detective Story had a great noire fashion associated with it. The detective hired to find Trinity was a bit interesting. I wanted to know more about his story and the other failed detectives; however, I don't think that was ever the intension of the author. The ending was quite ambiguous. Matriculated had an outstanding concept. I like how they tried to win over machines to the human side. Unfortunately, it turned into a high school level discussion about free thought. "Are we ever free? Aren't we trying to trick them into thinking they're free?" I remember discussing this in high school myself, and quite frankly, I'm a bit bored of it. The ending fits the high school black pilled conclusion that hits you with a "then everyone dies!" Woah. So deeeeeeeeep.  I know I sound a bit negative here, and I apologize for that (Especially to you, Cervantes. I know you're a fan.) I just really looked forward to seeing The Animatrix, and I think the hype surrounding it led me to have high expectations. Some were hits; while some were misses for me. It was interesting to check it out, though. I guess the plot holes I thought about while watching The Second Renaissance really ruined it for me. Why wouldn't the intense heat of a thermonuclear bomb affect machines? Also, why would the machines choose to use humans as power sources, when they could easily use rockets to go to space? The skies were blackened; not space. Machines don't need oxygen, so space would be the obvious next step for them. Why rely on humans that the propaganda said was full of greed and absolute hate? Why intertwine your future with beings that despise you? |
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Cervantes
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Post by Cervantes on Oct 25, 2023 0:22:32 GMT
Why wouldn't the intense heat of a thermonuclear bomb affect machines? Also, why would the machines choose to use humans as power sources, when they could easily use rockets to go to space? The skies were blackened; not space. Machines don't need oxygen, so space would be the obvious next step for them. Why rely on humans that the propaganda said was full of greed and absolute hate? Why intertwine your future with beings that despise you? I find interesting how all these problems come from the Wachowskis having to change their original concept: the machines would use human brains as processors, not "humans as batteries". It was far more logical and explained better why they couldn't just exterminate humans. Some executive thought the concept was too complicated and asked them to change it, so everything had to be changed around the "power source" concept, which I think never really worked all that well. By the way, I do agree with almost everything dschult3 said, hahaha! At the same time, the shorts are stylish enough that I absolutely love them despite the lack of depth. It's similar to how I feel about Final Fantasy: Advent Children, which I really like, even though the story doesn't make much sense, tries to be deeper than it really is and the script is kind of a mess. There's just something about these ultra stylish animations from the early 2000s... That said, the best four shorts (Program, World Record, Beyond, A Detective Story) achieve a better balance between good animation, interesting concepts and human drama, so they're my favorites, especially the latter 2. There's a current successor to the Animatrix, a series called Love, Death, Robots. It is, too, unbalanced, with great episodes mixed with very mediocre ones, but the best shorts are really damn good, I do recommend it. |
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With the way the current planet is so divided, people can barely pick toppings on a pizza, let alone vote on wiping out peace loving robots who show up to the UN as peaceful, loving machines. Oh yeah, and humans would kill the robots by the millions and dump them into the ocean, without the thought of reusing the raw materials? I think not. Also, why wouldn't the humans just integrate robot technology into their bodies to become super human? I couldn't help but question everything that came about in the story. All I did was cringe while watching this one.