A mind-numbing mess: The Matrix, a review.

 I'm sorry if i'm going to be going on a long tangent here but this movie deserves all the brickbats it can. The Matrix, a movie or rather a franchise that ultimately went on to rule the hearts of moviegoers owing to its story-line, bizarre characters, camera angles, colors and whatnot. Releasing in 1999, this went on to become a cult classic. With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Anne Moss and many more, the star studded cast is probably the only redeeming factor of  the entire movie. That's it. Period.

The concept is however very real as well as appalling, to say the least. It is something that is quite a probable possibility and deals with machines making humans do their bidding, as opposed to machines catering to the whims of humans. A decentralized fake world is created by these so-called machines who have imprisoned humans there, unbeknownst to their knowledge. It's really a treat to behold, especially with such power packed performances and oodles of eye candy and high-octane action sequences. But that doesn't quite cut it. The movie doesn't possess that zing factor or that story-line that resonated with me.

With an exasperatingly confusing plot that really seems to try its best to sell the concept and really really weird looking people smattering throughout the length of the film, i was not sold on it tbh.

 

Apparently my parents were two years into their marriage and my mom was pregnant with me in 1999 when they had to face the brunt that this movie had to offer. I can only safely say that my dad took my mom to this movie kicking and screaming while I was kicking and screaming in the womb too, such was the disastrous effect that it had on my unborn mind. All jokes aside though, the internet has made the world a smaller place and it loves this movie for some inane reason but I just couldn't see the hype over it.

The sham world that the humans live in is also clearly demarcated with that of the real world. The fake world has that ominous, grayish- green tinge to it that shows us the pale lifelessness of the environs whereas the actual place filled with inhabitants is colorful and vivid. The Matrix or the fake world exists so that the machines can rule over all of humanity, with constant and stringent checks on anyone who escapes that world, thus altering the paradigm of natural law. I know i'm more than 20 years too late in this review but i felt like it needed to be told and put out there. The struggle is touching, i get it. Millions of people being born in capsules or pods and made to toil tirelessley under machines and sequestered in an alien land where all of them are born out of uncertanty. But it's lackluster on a whole.

Game-changing moments include heralding the arrival of the legendary Morpheus portaged by Fishburne which is the movie's mainstay and highlight. But apart from that there really isn't anything that offers conclusive family entertainment. Rather it can be aptly termed as a recipe for disaster. I'm sorry this may sound like an unpopular opinion but these are the kind of movies that look good, on paper. If enacted onto celluloid would only jolt the audience into using their thinking caps( a reference in the movie). Nevertheless here's my take on it.

Die-hard Matrix fan and the internet, please don't hate on me, Take it with a grain of salt. And a word of advice to the Wachowski sisters- kindly make movies in the future that has heart and substance rather than grim scenarios of physics-defying action scenes, sunglasses adorning weirdos and really really confusing concepts. This may take you guys a long way. mark my words. I wonder why this movie never received a Razzie.