Why “The Matrix” Is Still Popular After More Than 20 Years?
If you're looking for a sci-fi film with all the hallmarks of great cinema, look no further than The Matrix. Released over 20 years ago and still going strong, The Matrix is one of the classics (if not THE classic) in this genre. The movie industry has changed vastly since the year 1999.
The focus of movies at that time were very different than it is today. You'll find this reflected in different genres, such as crime thrillers, soppy rom-coms and large-scale comedies. Blockbuster films were doing alright, but it had been a while since moviegoers saw something satisfy their thirst for something new. It all changed in 1999 when the film The Matrix hit theatres and blew everyone away with its groundbreaking effects and innovative design.
It was timely and innovating
The movie "The Matrix" was really influential when released. It quickly captivated an audience, with its smart dialogue, compelling entertainment, and the unprecedented theme of the "world inside a machine". With the threat of Y2K on the horizon, many viewers questioned their surroundings.
AI has proven itself to be something that is capable of triggering both positive and negative reactions. On the one hand, films like Terminator and its first sequel showed an AI apocalypse with humanity fighting back against the AI. But on the other hand, The Matrix depicted a world where humanity was defeated by AI.
The Matrix was directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski who were offered the opportunity after their first movie, Bound, was barely successful and wasn’t much talked-about. Bound was a low-key crime thriller featuring mainly limited locations with two female leads. This movie displayed the sisters' directing skills, so their bosses gave them a bigger budget for their next sci-fi film project.
The Matrix had a budget of $63 million and after its release, it became the number one box office hit of 1999. It won four Academy Awards in 2000:
- Best Sound Mixing
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Film Editing
- Best Sound Editing
The Matrix was a huge success and this led Warner Brothers to give the Wachowskis more budget so they could create sequels to the film. This resulted in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. The sequels weren't as big or successful as the first film, but hardcore fans were still happy with them. The worldwide revenue for The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions was $742 million and $427 million, respectively. It can be inferred that both films were successful.
The casting was perfect
Aside from telling an excellent story, the Matrix would not have been so successful without the brilliant cast it brought together. Keanu Reeves is the star of the film, however he was offered this role by Will Smith first. In addition to being memorable, Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Morpheus in the film franchise was well-received by audiences for its excellent representation. Years after he first played Morpheus, people still refer to quotes from the movie to reinforce a point. One of his most popular lines include:
"You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."
Carrie-Anne Moss played Trinity in the film, and she also delivered a key emotional connection to Neo that helped boost their romantic interest. Last but not least, Hugo Weaving who is best known for playing a malevolent computer program: the menacing, monotonous-voiced antagonist Agent Smith.
The Wachowskis used master Yuen Woo-ping, who choreographed fight scenes in the film. Their realism and intensity is surprising given how good of a director they are. It's worth noting that The Matrix used this technique 20 years ago for the film. This is now an industry standard practice but these kung-fu master instructors are becoming more difficult to find.
The Matrix had a huge impact on the blockbuster action film industry. Through it, these films of the same kind were given a new reputation that elevated them to greatness. Action films in the '90s still had a bad reputation because of how much they were put down in the '80s. The action genre has been saturated with a lot of wacky and outlandish movies. The problem is that not many people are taking these films seriously, making them less lucrative for studios. The Matrix forces us to contemplate many difficult concepts. Some of them are philosophical, while others are grounded in the world of science fiction. The mix is what makes this film one of the most influential films ever made.
The Matrix is still a film that many fans love to theorize about and re-watch. Some theories say that this film is a coded message for us to take the red pill and wake up. Others believe that the world we see in The Matrix is in fact created by humans who have implanted it into machines. They argue that machines are aware of their own domination, but it's an illusion because humans are actually controlling everything.
In the film, the Oracle said:
"Everything that has a beginning has an end."
But on the contrary, one of the most interesting aspects of The Matrix is that its appeal never seems to fade.
Why The Matrix still connects to its audiences?
For decades, psychologists have noted how much control our environment has over the way we act. But when you see The Matrix for the first time, it leaves you in disbelief at just how controlled our lives really are.
Even if Keanu Reeves is famous for his role in the hit movie John Wick, he will always be widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Neo. There are many reasons why The Matrix is a film that still resonates to its audiences. It is not uncommon for breakthrough achievements to be copied or reproduced in Hollywood.
As popular Marvel movies start this trend, younger fans may not understand the importance of "The Matrix" when they grow up. One of the main things that The Matrix has given to the world is its cool and stylized use of action and trench coats. You would need to be there in the moment to understand how it was a big deal during that time and if you haven't, you probably should because John Wick wouldn't exist without Neo.
