Scenes We Love: The Matrix

Still a great movie. It definitely hold up well, even 10 years later. I didn't like the second two (at all). To me, they were the Star Wars prequels following the original trilogy. Or Highlander 2/3 after the original. Okay, they weren't that bad. I think the second two movies could have been condensed into one decent movie, but it still wouldn't have measured up well to the original. The magic of the Matrix (the movie concept, not the movie itself) was gone after the first one. After that, they explained too much (much like the prequel explained the Force), among other faults. Oh well, by the time my kids are old enough to watch the first one, I can hope the sequels have been forgotten.

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I loved the original, for all the reasons you mention; furthermore, I loved Reloaded, because it catapaulted the series off in ridiculous, unforseen directions. How do you follow up something so daring as the original Matrix? The answer is that you create something opaque, baroque, and totally off the deep end: a 30-minute multi-layered chase/combat sequence, and a climax that completely reverses the tone of the rest of the movie... an action film that resolves in a cold, frightening, logical and existential space, like the frozen core of a shielded supercomputer.

The third one just needed to bring some sort of epic resolution to all the plot tangents that had been opened up. It just served its purpose, nothing more. However, the second movie was a pretty amazing piece of experimentation, and I give the Wachowskis credit for that.

Also wanted to parry some of the criticism that's so often directed at this, and other genre-defining contemporary blockbusters. Every time a movie attains legendary status, detractors come out of the woodwork, pointing out its similarity to previous works. It happened to Star Wars (esp. A New Hope), it happened to Pulp Fiction (which was both intentionally derivative and one of the most original works ever made), and of course it's happening to The Matrix. My point: every movie is built on the shoulders of influences, and it shouldn't be defined by that. Don't be self-conscious about having loved such an original and epic film; don't disclaim that you "are aware of its weaknesses." Apologism just validates the peanut gallery.

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I, too, always thought that the sequels (Reloaded in particular) got an unfair bad rap. While I totally can understand where the detractors were coming from in their criticisms (muddy philosophy, the silly cave orgy), I thought the strength of the action scenes and pure ambition of the story, especially in Reloaded, put the films leaps and abounds ahead of more conventional and well received fare such as the Spider-Man films, the Fast and the Furious series, Pirates of the Caribbean, and even the new Star Wars films, all of which, at least in comparison, played it safe with audience expectations. The Matrix sequels attempted to do something different and challenging, and as a result, the Wachowski's were crucified for it. If that's the price of making something wholly new and original in Hollywood these days, well...that's just a shame. Yes, the sequels had problems, but no more than any other big-budget summer tentpole. If the original Matrix is a prime example of how to blow away an audience, then The Matrix: Reloaded shows how you raise those thoughts and expectations to levels only hinted at in the original, and The Matrix: Revolutions is how you end it excitingly and emotionally, all barrels blazing.

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i love all 3 matrixes. they were all good. the first one a trendsetter that made everyone change the way they did action movies. had a great story which everyone clearly loved (box office numbers)

2nd went for more action and just all fun

3rd was back to mostly story and brought us full circle and is a lot like scarface greed will be the end of everyone.


hugo weavng should have won best actor. sorry but in all 3 movies even when that guy was smith outside of the matrix was done to perfection.

i love them and will forever appreciate them.

side not this movie was on tv on the weekend and i really think it should be spoken about more.
lucky number slevin was a GREAT movie

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It's been said before, but it bears repeating: the "silly cave orgy" quite neatly demonstrates visually the choice Neo has made between Trinity and "the world", a choice that will have plot consequences throughout the rest of the film. This is what the Oracle is referring to when she tells Neo that he has already made his choice.

Now, I'm not going to pretend that the Matrix sequels are especially profound, or even without flaws, but in this particular instance I will credit the directors for employing a degree of nuance in a big loud action movie. I'd venture to say that this "silly" scene is crucial to the teme and plot of the film.

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I'm not discounting the orgy scene for what it represents-I I agree with you that it's important and serves a purpose. I'm not saying the reason the scene is in there is silly-I'm saying the way it's executed is what's underwhelming. As much as I love the Wachowski Brothers and their work, I think anyone would agree that at times they don't know when to stop, and in the case of that scene in particular, it seems like they were going for something out of a bad Ang Lee movie (think Lust, Caution) crossed with slow-mo. I had the same problem two years later with the ending of Munich-both sex scenes are done in such an over-the-top, all-so-serious manner, that it completely keeps the audience at bay from being really, truly emotionally involved. Instead of feeling these character's love, we're simply watching sex, and that's it. I love the movie, I do, but this is the one point in it that I find to be especially deserving of mass scorn.

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I don't know how well they kept it a secret; naming their virtual reality construct after the one in Neuromancer was a pretty big tipoff.

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