It is difficult
to find a way to start talking about "Matrix"; and not only because
it is one of the most important science fiction works of all time, but above
all because whoever wishes to write a well detailed review and touch all its
fundamental aspects should write more of a lenghty book; perhaps even this would
not be enough to fully describe.
We must
therefore dwell on its fundamentals: the directing brothers (now sisters)
Wachowski set up an incredibly complex story, which goes beyond the concept of
science fiction, genre or stereotype. They do so by intertwining a hypothetical
dark future in which humans must remain hidden underground in order to survive
and where Machines have taken over the world, “cultivating” humans and using
them as living batteries, with another parallel world, “The Matrix". This
virtual reality has been ingeniously crafted by the Machines to make sure the
captive human brains can stay active for a whole lifetime, and reamain usable
as a power source. The protagonist of such events is an unsuspecting every day
white collar worker of this digital world who is, at first, totally
unsuspecting of living in a sophisticated neural simulation. The fatal
encounter with Trinity and Morpheus, who sees in him something special, will
force him to make choices and face truths that only “The One” can sustain.
The film is
marvellous and can be truly appreciated only by exploring several different and
complementary levels: its narrative, which is beautifully interwoven and
influenced by Asian cinema, Japanese Anime culture and by a multitude of science-fiction
and spiritual works, finds its counterpart in its incredibile visuals. These are a continuous alternation between a
familiar 1999, its darker version
generated within the Matrix and the post-apocalyptic “real world” in which what
little remains of free humanity struggles to survive under the constant threat
of ruthless hunting machines.
Many incredible technical innovations were also
gifted to us by the Wachowskis: the very concept and camera dances created to
make possible the “bullet-time” was combined with futuristic fist-fights and
the unique looks of the protagonists to create immortal action scenes. Matrix
intimist and Christological digressions complements also perfectly its frenetic
action, combining with the many messages
and underlying meanings that the film wants to communicate. "Matrix"
is this and much, much more; it is a treasure chest that must be opened and
explored in extreme depth because of its hiding jewels and secrets; it is a
rare gem in a world that is becoming increasingly standardized and less
original, it is the last true masterpiece of the twentieth century and one of
the most important films ever made. Watching it brings awareness, because even
though superficially can be enjoyed as an entertainig pop work, its deeper meanings
cannot but reach our inner self and force us to make a choice: blue pill or red
pill?