Today’s IMDB Top 250 Guest Review comes from Chris of Terry Malloy’s Pigeon Coop. Thanks for the review, Chris! 🙂 Now let’s see what he has to say about The Matrix, IMDB rank 18 out of 250…
There are still some movies up for grabs if anyone wants to do a guest IMDB Top 250 review. You can find the list HERE. See the full list & links to all the films that have been reviewed HERE.
Few films over the past 20 years or so have had as big an impact as The Matrix. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the most important films of all time.
Yeah, I went there.
Some people might not like it, but I don’t think anyone can argue over its cultural significance. It’s a bit like me and The Beatles. I get why they were so big and so important but I actually think much of their music is pretty crap.
I went there again.
The premise of film is that everything we know and see around us is a lie, an artificial reality known as the Matrix created by machines who use our bodies as fuel. Only some people are aware of this and have been freed to live in the ‘real world’, although they are in a constant war against the machines. Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) are freedom fighters of sorts and have recognised Neo (Keanu Reeves) as someone who could fulfil a prophecy and bring peace between the humans and machines.
It’s a pretty crazy-ass plot and can take a quite a while to get your head around, but what an absolutely phenomenal concept; the kind of idea that only comes along every so often. Think Metropolis, 1984, Blade Runner; an idea so revolutionary that it inspires people to think differently. Not many films do that.
When we first see the ‘real world’ with the scary Giger-esque machines farming thousands upon thousands of humans all sealed away in little pods, it’s simply awe-inspiring and it just gets better and better from there on in.
Just think about it. There are so many standout, memorable and groundbreaking scenes and lines that it’s almost inconceivable they’re all from the same film. The first time we see bullet time; the lobby shootout; the subway fight; the meeting with the Oracle; even the notion that deja-vu is a glitch in the Matrix; all of these are scenes that have since become engrained in cinema’s pop culture, and there are many more besides. You only have to look at how many other films have taken clear inspiration from or have parodied The Matrix to see the effect it’s had.
It even made Keanu Reeves look like a good actor. That might be slightly unfair but there’s no denying that Reeves was absolutely perfect for the role of Neo, and there have been few cooler moments in cinema seeing Neo kicking ass.
Unfortunately, The Matrix’s legacy has been tainted somewhat by two tremendously disappointing sequels. Both The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions were totally unnecessary and whilst they had some fun moments were just far too complicated and self-indulgent. Despite the sequels, The Matrix remains one of the most original, groundbreaking and influential films of all time.
1) I’m surprised Mrs Mutant allowed this to be posted with that remark about The Beatles even though it’s absolutely true. I probably couldn’t even think of two Beatles songs that I like but I get why they were so popular.
2) Great write-up! I agree 100% except that I liked the second one. That fight scene in the mansion is one of my favorite fight scenes ever.
3) I think you’re a hot piece of ass.
1) You suck, Beatles-Hater! (Not you Chris – I wouldn’t talk to you in that way) ; )
2) I hated the sequels, especially the last one
3) Me or Chris?!?!
1) WHAT THE??????????????
2) The second one sure was pretty!
3)……………………………………………………..BOTH!!
1) I’m in the middle. I think The Beatles have done some truly amazing songs but at the same time they produced some utter white
2) I actually quite like the second one even though its a total mess. The mansion fight is excellent although a bit short and the whole highway sequence is fantastic
3) I think all three of you are hot pieces of ass
1) Utter white? I happen to like The White Album. ; )
2) I don’t even remember the sequels anymore, actually…
3) You say that to all the boys!
Aww fuck I meant shite!
1) Glad you’re on board about The Beatles. I had no idea Mrs Mutant was such a fan until I wrote this! They’re still overrated 🙂
2) The second one isn’t actually terrible I’ll admit but still has nothing on the first whatsoever. The twins were pretty cool.
3) My ass is nothing without you.
Woohoo thanks for having me! Glad I could contribute, I may well do another at some point 🙂
That would be great! : ) Thanks again for joining in! Beatles-Hater. ; )
I agree with you here on all counts. Especially that this was the role that made for Reeves, it fits perfect with his wooden and stiff acting – just like Terminator was the iconic role for Schwarzenegger. I liked the 2nd one as an action movie but it was not a sequel that came close to the 1st.
definitely, it just fits him perfectly and it doesn’t matter if he’s not the best actor!
Awesome review, Chris! I agree with you completely, this is one of the most important movies of all time. It’s a total game-changer, and you’ve done it justice with your review. I could watch this movie a thousand times and never get sick of it. And, when it comes on cable and I come across it, I always watch it through to the end, no matter how late I’ve come in.
I stayed up late on a Sunday night a couple of months ago because it was on and it would be blasphemy to turn it off before it concluded.
Thanks Smash! Glad you share my awe of this, I wasn’t sure if I’d gone a bit OTT. It is a total game-changer for me too, I’ll watch it over and over again and never get bored of it and notice new things each time.
Good review! I feel like I have spent my morning reading Chris’ reviews what the hell Chris you are entering my brain. I agree it did make Keanu look good and even if the movie wasn’t perfect it will be something people reference for years to come.
Haha, I’m everywhere! 🙂 Yeah this made everyone think Keanu was a world beater, but he didn’t have to act a massive amount here!
Brilliant review!
Thanks!
I concur! Top work.
Thanks man!
CHRISTOPHER. Did you just diss The Beatles????
…I need time to reevaluate our friendship.
…Dammit. I guess I forgive you.
The Matrix is definitely a cool film. Nice review! 🙂
I’m copping some stick for this Beatles thing! Eric’ll stick up for me though! 🙂
Ohhh Eric doesn’t like anything but boobs and blood. None of that in The Beatles, so I’d expect that from him. 😉
This is true… The Beatles are just too classy for him! ; )
great review Chris!
First, Chris, you’re positively crazy for disliking The Beatles’ music. The harmonies, the alternating rhythm, the different melodies . . . they’re just brilliant.
Second, I agree on The Matrix in general and the franchise in totality. This film is very, very significant, as now almost every action movie steals or copies from it at some point. Good review!
Yay! Another Beatles fan on my side! ; )
🙂
One of the best of all time movies
Man, I thought this movie was excellent!! I enjoyed Keanu Reeves in Constantine, too. He is not the worst actor under the sun, and he worked this just fine!
Excellent review. I agree, the sequels were unnecessary!
Chris, nice review. I can’t believe it’s rated number 18. I think it’s a profound film and my favorite mind bender. It’s the only Keanu Reeve film I can tolerate him in.