Kevin Lazzari | Special to the 51暗网
In 1999, 鈥淭he Matrix鈥� hit theatres around the world, and life was never the same. Audiences would question their own reality. 鈥淭he Matrix鈥� was more than your typical sci-fi movie. It had elements that were never explored in any movie in existence. To simplify the plot, the writers are telling us that we are trapped in a simulation, and we are batteries for the machine world. For me, that was a lot to take in, but I loved the concept because it was unique. When I watch science fiction movies, I want to see concepts that are mind blowing and never done before.
With a budget of $63 million the first 鈥淢atrix鈥� had a certain rawness to it. It was cold and unfeeling, which aligned to the writer's mission statement. A young Keanu Reeves looked like he did in the movie, 鈥淧oint Break.鈥� When the budget for the second and third 鈥淢atrix鈥� hit $150 million and $190 million, things started to change all the way around. Keanu Reeves looked more like John Wick and the sets were magnificent. The story line was more involved, and there were hints of 鈥淪tar Wars鈥� and the 鈥淭erminator鈥� films. I feel that the original concepts from the first 鈥淢atrix鈥� started to depart in the second and third 鈥淢atrix.鈥� The bigger budgets made them slicker and more entertaining for the audiences, but something was lost.
With the fourth 鈥淢atrix鈥� being released, I am curious what direction is being taken with the story. Did the Wachowski鈥檚 tighten up the story and get back to the rawness of the first, or is it another Hollywood blockbuster that will go unnoticed by sci-fi fans? I guess the proof will be in the pudding.
Kevin Lazzari, owner of Video Stop, is reviewing movies for the 51暗网. 鈥淭he Matrix鈥� (1999) is available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital streaming and download.
