The Matrix Description
With THE MATRIX, the Wachowskis have
established themselves as innovative filmmakers who push the
boundaries of live-action films. Like the groundbreaking STAR
WARS, THE MATRIX (also the first film of a trilogy) showcases a
unique visual style, one the Wachowskis achieved through an array
of techniques and digital effects, some never before seen in
mainstream Hollywood films. Although computer morphing technology
had been used before in films such as THE ABYSS and TERMINATOR 2,
the Wachowskis were the first to use "bullet time," a
time-bending digital effect that utilizes both computer-generated
imagery and still photography.
The film itself is a complex story that aspires to mythology,
focusing on a computer hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves) who
searches for the truth behind the mysterious force known as the
Matrix. He finds his answer with a group of strangers led by the
charismatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). What they encounter in
confronting that truth makes for a lightning-paced, eye-popping
thrill ride of a movie. Packed with stunning fight scenes
(choreographed by accomplished Hong Kong director Yuen Wo-Ping),
astonishing visual effects, quotable lines, and a terrific
supporting cast (led by Carrie-Anne Moss, in her first major
Hollywood film), THE MATRIX is a bold triumph that raises the bar
for all science fiction films.
"...A feast of unexpected fidgets and
perspectives, punctuated by trademark overhead shots and teasing
detail and detour....THE MATRIX is a wonderland of tricks and
stunts..."
"...THE MATRIX soars with its feet in the
air..."
"...A breathtaking rollercoaster
ride..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
An imaginative hybrid of action, kung fu, and
science fiction, THE MATRIX is a hyperkinetic, mind-bending, and
visionary spectacle. Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a disaffected
computer hacker seeking the answer to the question, "What is
the Matrix?" His search leads him to the elusive Morpheus
(Laurence Fishburne), who begins to enlighten Neo about the
illusions of his so-called reality. In accepting the answer
Morpheus provides, Neo is hurled into a futuristic world where old
realities are shattered, and he must fight for his life, and the
future of humanity, against a dangerous group of inhuman
government agents.
Theatrical release date: April 2, 1999.
THE MATRIX won three Academy Awards: Achievement in Film Editing,
Sound, and Visual Effects (beating out STAR WARS EPISODE 1: THE
PHANTOM MENACE). In each category, the winners quoted a line from
the film.
The Wachowski brothers got their start at Marvel Comics, where
they wrote dialogue for Clive Barker's HELLRAISER.
The official website, www.whatisthematrix.com, features a
revolving showcase of comic book writers.
The actors initially thought combat training would take a few
weeks. They eventually trained for more than five months (October
1997-March 1998), primarily because the actors and the Wachowskis
wanted to limit the use of stunt doubles in the picture; the
directors wanted the audience to see that the actual actors were
performing the stunts.
Each actor had their own kung fu master on the set.
Neo is an anagram for "One."
The Wachowskis named Neo’s alter ego Thomas, for the biblical
Doubting Thomas.
SIMULACRA AND SIMULATION, Jean Baudrillard’s theoretical text
concerning culture, reality, and simulation, is the title of the
book Neo uses to keep his contraband.
Carrie-Anne Moss sprained her ankle during the filming of the
federal lobby scene but told no one at the time, even though she
was unable to walk the next day.
Moss appeared in the 1993 television show MATRIX, about a hit man
working for the underworld.
A musical theater piece by the Live Bait Theater group in Chicago
(the Wachowski brothers’ hometown) called NEO: A MATRIX MUSICAL
ran in May 2000.
Producer Joel Silver called THE MATRIX "the first film of the
new millennium."
Talking about the making of the film, Fishburne compared the
brothers Wachowski to the Brothers Grimm in their ability to tell
fairy tales.
Weapons expert Rock Galotti taught the cast how to realistically
hold and shoot all the weapons in the film.
"What is the Matrix?"--Neo (Keanu
Reeves) to Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss)
"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You
have to see it for yourself."--Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne)
to Neo
"I know kung fu."--Neo to Morpheus and Tank (Marcus
Chong)
"Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was
real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would
you know the difference between the dream world and the real
world?"--Morpheus to Neo
"Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are
a plague, and we are the cure."--Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving)
to Morpheus
"The Matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes
to blind you from the truth."--Morpheus to Neo
"The answer is out there, Neo, it’s looking for you. And it
will find you, if you want it to."--Trinity to Neo
"Welcome to the real world."--Morpheus to Neo
"Whoa."--Neo upon seeing Morpheus make a gravity-defying
leap
"...Clever....This virtual-reality saga
takes advantage of Reeves' sometimes endearingly boyish
personality..."
"...A wildly cinematic futuristic
thriller..."
Platinum Boxed Collector's Set includes 8
Original Lobby Cards and Limited Edition "Senitype"
Image with 35mm Film Frame
DVD Features:
Region 1
Snap Case
2-Disk Set
Disc One - THE MATRIX:
Notes: Additional DVD-ROM features include Three Original Essays:
"From Script to Screen" - A Retrospective on Comic-Book
Based Films, "Everybody Loves Kung-Fu Fighting!" - A
Retrospective on Martial Arts, "Infinity and Beyond!" -
A Retrospective on Science-Fiction Films. Related Articles:
"A Hacker's Haunting Vision of Beauty" - New York Times,
"If the Cityscape is only a Dream" - New York Times,
"Metaphysics" - Time Magazine, "Maximizing THE
MATRIX" - Newsweek Magazine
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes Footage
Featurette - 1. HBO FIRST LOOK: MAKING THE MATRIX
2. WHAT IS BULLET TIME?
3. WHAT IS THE CONCEPT?
Audio Commentary - 1. Carrie-Anne Moss - Star, Zach Staenberg -
Editor, John Gaeta - Visual Effects Supervisor
2. Don Davis - Composer
Isolated Music Score
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. Bonus Trailers
Interactive Features:
Hidden Features - 1. TAKE THE RED PILL
Pop-up - 1. FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT to Nine Behind-the-Scenes
Featurettes
DVD-ROM Features:
PC Only
Screenplay/Storyboard Access
DVD-ROM Games - 1. ARE YOU "THE ONE"? Trivia Challenge
Weblinks
Screensaver
Chat Links
Disc Two - MATRIX REVISITED:
Single Side - Dual Layer
Additional Release Material:
Interviews - 1. Filmmakers
2. Cast
3. Filmmakers of upcoming MATRIX ANIME PROJECT
Behind the Scenes Training Footage of MATRIX 2
Interactive Features:
Web Links - 1. whatisthematrix.com
2. MATRIX 2 site
3. MATRIX 3 site
Updates of Future Online Events
"...THE MATRIX is a visually dazzling
cyberadventure, full of kinetic excitement....It's great looking,
both in its design and in the kinetic energy that powers it. It
uses flawlessly integrated special effects and animation to
visualize regions of cyberspace..."
to
listen to Sound Samples
