I am a huge fan of the groundbreaking The Wachowskis film The Matrix released in 1999. Even though it's been 25 years since it was released, I still regularly find my inner cinephile hankering after this stone cold classic, or at the very least craving a wee read around the subject matter, perhaps open up the Wikipedia page or find a YouTube analysis of the film.
Why is The Matrix so good?
As well as an unwavering sense of nostalgia that keeps me returning to this film, there's also a hypnotic je ne sais quoi about The Matrix that keeps it fresh no matter how many times I revisit this work of art. Maybe it's that I was an impressionable young whippersnapper in the year 1999 when I first discovered The Matrix, or the fact that The Wachowskis were absolutely at the top of their game when they released said film. It's hard to pinpoint something so transcendental. Once you love a piece of art you become faithful to it's ethos.
The Matrix is a film that is still relevant
One thing's for sure though, The Matrix has stood the test of time and then some. It remains as powerful and relevant today as it did in 1999. And why wouldn't it? With innovative blend of philosophy and action like that, it's no wonder people return to this film again and again. I can't imagine life without it John.
The Wachowskis knocked it out the park
But it's not just the innovative blend of philosophy and action that make this film great. It's the overall package. The iconic performances by Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving is a tour de force. The groundbreaking special effects, including the bullet time technique is integral, as is the way it influenced action cinema for years to come. And who can forget complex and thought-provoking story that rewards multiple viewings. When The Wachowskis created this timeless classic, never mind the ball park, they knocked this one out of the solar system. This bad boy is in danger of bothering Voyager.
Has The Matrix stood the test of time?
Of course, there are other films out there to be argued for. Harder, better, faster, stronger. Some might argue that Collateral is better than The Matrix, or that Michael Mann is better than The Wachowskis. They may well have a point. But for me, The Matrix will always hold a special place in my heart. And 25 years tickling the meridian response does not lie.
The Matrix in conclusion
To sum up, The Matrix is a wonderful thing, a film of unrivalled quality. It's a film that has etched itself into the psyche, distributing untold tingles up the spine, hogging synapses and monopolising neurons that could otherwise be put to use appreciating more important, or perhaps more useful information. But no matter what life throws at me, I know I can always rely on The Matrix to deliver the goods.