Title: The Matrix; The Matrix Reloaded; The Matrix
Revolutions |
Release Date: 1999: 2003 |
Nationality and Language: |
Running time: Reloaded: 138 Minutes |
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Distributor and Production Company: Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow Pictures (an Australian company) |
Director; Writer: Andy and Larry Wachowski |
Producer: |
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, Carrie-Anne Moss, Gloria Foster |
Technical: |
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Review: Countless websites will give the details of the story.
Suffice it to mention the basic setup: Countless human pods are farmed
underground, living their experiences through a virtual reality game called
“The Matrix,” and these create our apparent real world, at least this
instantiation of our universe. But some of the humans have freed themselves
and created the spectacular underground city of The setup leads to layered and recursive storytelling, as characters jump back and forth between
realities that are now sort of like the reconciled dominions in Clive
Barker’s Imajica. Neo (Keanu Reeves) becomes (regardless
of his Gothic trench coat) a wholesome The screenplay delivers some wonderful philosophical dialogue about the battle between determinism (by machines) or “purpose” and individual choice. It is naturally delivered, without too much venturing into rather obvious political applications (like gay rights). There has been periodic concern about the effect of these films on unstable minds. The suicide killers at Columbine reportedly had talked about the Matrix, as has Malvo in the D.C. area sniper killings. The film is rated “R” and would normally be suitable for intact teenagers as well as adults. But what is the media’s responsibility with materials that it knows will incite unstable people (who are often adults)? In 2003 the films Matrix Reloaded and Matrix
Revolutions were released in quick succession (six months). The jumping back
and forth continues in the second film, but the finale is more
straightforward and focuses on the invasion of the “real” underground
civilization by the machines that have taken over on the surface of earth.
Indeed, the machines, such as the fecund octopoids,
are some of the best monsters ever shown on film. The photography is
masterful, with subtle metallic tones sometimes (as in the subway scenes that
appear to be in There is also a Speed Racer (2008, Warner Bros. / Village Roadshow, dir. Andy and Larry Wachowski, 135 min, PG) is a kind of “kids movie” about a young man who thwarts a corporate conspiracy to win a car race for his family, and has very much the alternate universe look. Emile Hirsch plays the driver. Blogger discussion. Wanted (2008, Universal, dir. Timur Bekmanbatov, 110 min) has James McAvoy as the wimp turned “The Killer” when he is recruited into a 1000 year old cabal to which his father belongs. With Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie. Blogger discussion.
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