Film Analysis: The Matrix

            The Matrix is a philosophical sci-fi action movie from the Wachowskis.  Released in 1999, the film received widespread acclaim for its intriguing storytelling, its impact on popular culture, and its groundbreaking visual effects. With or without its popularity, The Matrix is still an intelligently made movie, using a variety of effective techniques in lighting, shooting film, and soundtrack.

            One well-known stylistic nuance in The Matrix is the color scheme shift between the Matrix and the real world.  The "fake" world of the Matrix is saturated with green hues while the real world shows a more "complete" palette of colors, though chiefly featuring blue tones.  This creates clear segregation between reality and illusion; the green tone of the Matrix looks sterilized and artificial, as though we viewers are looking through plastic pressed over our faces, but the blue tone of reality suggests that that layer has been pulled away and we're now looking at the truth.  Our eyes immediately pick up the intent, and we feel, from the film’s first scene, as though something is askew.  When we see the contrasting and more natural color tones, we feel much more comfortable. 

            Color is not the only visual clue we're given to distinguish the two worlds.  The filmmakers snuck in other nuances in the shots, though to a more subtle effect.  Many shots within The Matrix enhance the sense of  “outside looking in", by stylistically framing the subject matter or action, filming from angles that couldn’t possibly be from the point of view of characters in that world.  The audience feels "omniscient" while viewing this world; the camera’s deliberate placement in every shot reveals more about a scene than what we’d observe witnessing it on set, showing the character’s stature, their roles’ purpose, or an action’s intent with unreal clarity.  Most of the high and low angles and framing shots are familiar, but, the occasional slow motion effects throw the audience slightly off kilter, and, similar to the lighting, we realize that there's something off about this world.

            Also following the pattern of the lighting, there is a distinct difference in the shooting of the "real world".  Unlike those shots that give viewers the impression of looking into the scene, many of the shots in the real world convey the feeling immersion; flat angles, close ups, stagnant shots, and the occasional POV make the audience feel like a part of this world rather than observers. Though effective, this technique (in my opinion) backfires on the storyline.  The real world is where the audience should get intimate with the characters, and is filmed as such; however, the story that truly intrigues most viewers is in the fake world with the primary antagonist.  This preference isn't just because the mainstream audience wants to watch excessive action; it's more due to the characterization.  We become invested in Neo because we've been watching him from the beginning of his story; we can relate to him because of where he starts (stuck in a strange world with a dead-end job), and we ultimately want to see him succeed in the end of the film.  However, a satisfying arc alone doesn't necessarily mean connectable or likeable characters.  I feel like many viewers feel disconnected from the characters and their interactions in the real world, because they don't really feel like normal people.  Now this could be because of performances, or maybe just another stylistic choice; I don't know because I ain't no movie genius and I'm not a Wachowski either, but I do think this character-building time can feel dry. I agree that it's important to slow down an action movie to get intimate with the characters, and I definitely think the movie benefits from scenes like this. But, I also think the average movie-goer might feel abandoned with the relatively traditional visual composition; the close and personal filming should correspond with characters we can be comfortable and familiar with, and part of the fun of this movie is that it feels weird and unfamiliar.  In the end, these scenes make the movie feel a good fifteen minutes longer than it is.  But again, that's just my opinion.

            Regarding the soundtrack, it is apparent that a fair share of stylistic thought went into the selection of music. Portions of the music highlight a variety of genres, including electronic, dance, and metal; all of which are incorporated with elements of the rebellious and grungy underside of 90's culture.  These choices also tie in to a recurring "analogue versus digital" theme.  The synthesized electronic and techno tracks are used more in the artificial world of the Matrix, whereas the hard rock and metal usually surround Neo when establishing his subversive character in reality.  Playing a more prominent role in the soundtrack is Don Davis's amazing musical score.  These orchestral themes have a strong effect on the film’s nuances.  The rhythmic slamming of metal, for instance, drives most action sequences.  These, along with the accented horn runs, heighten the tension and excitement of the action.  Often, the music continuously builds up in intensity until it "overflows," the theme seems to go into a sort of slow motion; instead of the fast runaway drumming tempo, the horn line falls into some swooping dissonant dynamics, usually to accompany the movie’s "bullet-time".  Those themes are mostly kept to the illusion of the Matrix; with the real world having its own set of more melodic ideas to express the condition of humanity.  When Neo is first brought into the real world, the theme is mournful in tone, but the moment Neo completes his arc and overcomes the adversary, the music grows more heroic and hopeful. 

The Matrix had a profound effect on the sci-fi action genre, by going a little further to be a thinker's movie.  Its influence on modern filmmakers is apparent, and has helped change the ways modern audiences view movies.  Ultimately, The Matrix introduces several unique elements in lighting, filming, and soundtrack that put it beyond a B-grade action movie.

The Matrix. Dir. Andy & Lana Wachowski. Perf. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. Warner Bros. Pictures, 1999. Film.

Barsam, Richard; Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies, Fourth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2013. Print.

“The Matrix Poster.” Photograph. 28 April 2008. The Matrix. Wikimedia.org. Web. 25 January 2014.

“Rabbit Hole.” Photograph. 2010. The Matrix. Actionmoviefreak.com. Web. 25 January 2014.

“Tank Meets Neo.” Photograph. n.d. The Matrix. Static1.wikia.nocookie.net. Web. 25 January 2014.

Characters Sitting Around Table. Photograph. 25 March 2010. Zoom and Pan: The Matrix. Eatmedaily.com. Web. 25 January 2014.