matrix

     In 1999, The Matrix was released into a culture used to a society that was not only cyber savvy and computer minded, but also quite used to highly commercial advertising in pointless, plotless American movies. It did not quite hold up to this expectation.
     The movie did include a number of classic "roller coaster" chases. The main character was often "foregrounded" and the bad guys were little more than stick figures. And, the large amount of violence was meant largely to give the movie a surreal feeling, even the resemblance of a video game. In short, the movie did, in many ways, resemble the deficient, inartistic movies that Mark Crispin Miller talks about. Mr. Miller, however, does not count on a film's ability to generate a high artistic level with an existent plot.
     Neo, the main character, has spent a majority of his life trying to figure out what "the matrix" is. The matrix, as the audience finds out, is actually a dream world created by a society of artificial intelligence for human beings to occupy their brain's activity in while they are in mass captivity. Other humans, who exist in the "real world" and realize the true nature of the matrix seek Neo out because they believe that he has the ability to manipulate the matrix to such an extent that he will be able to free the human race from the artificial intelligence's created slavery.
     There are other developed characters. Morphius is the leader of the humans who are trying to free the race, and Trinity is an apparently famous hacker who is Neo's first contact. They are, however, less developed not necessarily because of a lack of depth but because that is the nature of this story - Neo is an isolated character with little, or developing, understanding of the world around him and of reality.
     The special effects of this film were highly acclaimed. Many effects were new at the time of its release(bullets rippling through air and a mechanical spider crawling into Neo's belly button.) Also, many movements were emphasized by sound effects - we could hear the wind of people running, their footsteps as they race across the tin roofs of buildings, and every single gun used in the movie had a distinct sound. Ambient music was used throughout the movie, but never to the detriment of the scene. It was used, at some times, to help set the mood. But, far more often it was other sound effects making a contribution to the larger effect of good histrionics and our understanding of the events as they are happening.
     This film included no "direct endorsements." Despite my attempts to find them, I found no indications that the production had many any money from paid advertising in the movie. I also could not find any brand names, logos, or any other form of advertisement. Although much of the style of clothing and accessory has been adopted by designer companies, I believe this to be more of a part of the film's legacy than of a conscious attempt of the producers to resemble any trend.
     I believe that The Matrix is a product of the modern movies which Crispin criticizes. However, I also think that The Matrix holds itself above his criticisms. It does not fall to the temptation of sacrificing story for effects. It uses those effects to enhance the story in a way that was never before possible. It incorporates elements of film technology that are still being developed and explored. Yet, it does all of this while retaining a literary quality that is respectable.

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