The first one was good as far as visual effects went. I saw it just as influential as the first Star Wars movie. Remember how after it came out, every action film sense has had some sort of slo-motion effect in it? Wether it be gun-play or martial arts, the first Matrix film has clearly influenced cinema. The last two...not so much. By then, we'd become so used to that effect that the two films just...wasn't as fresh as the original film.
For the love of GOD. If you're going to criticize a film series, criticize it for what it is. A movie. AND NOT because you don't like it. Jesus.
Originally posted by Gregory
They're okay action movies, but mixing a little Gnostic/Platonic philosophy into an action movie doesn't make it deep, profound, or even philosophically interesting, whatever "mature" people who post on internet boards in the middle of their classes to call other people morons might think.
They were made to be philosophical movies with action put in them not the other way around. The whole basis of the movie was a philosophical outlook on life. It wasn't supposed to be about a dude named Neo who just so happened to be the one who can kick peoples asses and fly around in a virtual world. This is also another reason that the animatrix series was made. If anyone actually watched them then i would hope that they realized the story behind the movies. I know i agree with what was said about my Tactfullness and yea i agree. I didn't exactly think it out before i started typing. Im not in love with the matrix though like the FB guy said. I watch the movies on occasion and i did watch all 10+ hours of bonus features on the 10 disk DVD collection but that was to be informed and to learn all that i could about it. All movies and trilogies have their fanatics. Its not like the guys who dress up as jedi are completely normal to others so why single out matrix fans who actually take a minute to think about it? I also agree with Lana. Most experiences i have had with people who say they dislike it is because they dont understand it or say the ending sucked because neo died. Or they liked the movie but for the wrong reasons. Like " the fights were badass, etc." Another reason that i try to educate myself on these things.
They were made to be philosophical movies with action put in them not the other way around.
And I'm saying that, as philosophical works, they're uninteresting. They don't add anything new to the picture; in fact, the newest philosophical idea they contain is over two thousand years old. Backfire's "Philosophy 101" comment is on the money.
Maybe I'm just expecting too much here.
Originally posted by Gregory
Maybe I'm just expecting too much here.
I think so. I love the first Matrix movie, but I love it as a piece of well-made pulp fiction. It screws around with the ideas of a thousand other sci-fi/action movies, comic books, anime and what have you, and comes out the other side with a completely satisfying and (deceptively) original thriller. I think the fact pointed out by the thread's maker that it is worshipped by many fans is why a lot of people dislike it, they watch it thinking that they're going to experience a life-changing picture, which it isn't.
It joins The Usual Suspects among the ranks of films that take ideas that have been done many times before, and makes them more accessible and enjoyable to modern/western audiences. And by god, I enjoyed them.
1. Fresh story, especially for those sick to death of space opera.
2. Ground-breaking special effects (by now done to death).
3. Modern spin/metaphor for ancient philosophical POV.
4. Involves virtual reality, which to many people means, "Hey, maybe one day I can be Superman in my own virtual world!"
(Interesting that 200 years in the (Matrix) future, they still know about Superman.)