Keanu Reeves saves Matrix films

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2003-01-28 11:33pm

My literal honest reaction first time seeing it: "Okay, but I've seen it before. And better."

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2003-01-28 11:36pm

I hesitate to call anyone a liar but.... liar! Err could you educate me as to which movie done what the Matrix done, before it? I am a bit confused here.

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2003-01-28 11:37pm

It didn't just blow my mind. The only thing in that movie even remotely interesting was the amera effects. And after seeing tht done in fourth rate movies such as Duece Bigalow (go away Rob Schneider) and Scary Movie (Funny sometimes but not really) it just kind of heapened it.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2003-01-28 11:39pm

It just didn't impress me.

I've seen better in a lot of anime, manga, and HK martial arts films...

And too many guns, considering what they could do...

Bullet Time was a little interesting, but I'd already seen it in comercials before the film.

So, again, my reaction was "Meh."

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-01-28 11:41pm

How did you all like the premise of the Matrix though? About the whole world being a computer simulation thingy?

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2003-01-28 11:42pm

Not very intersting, to tell you the truth. Especially when the morons started thinking it was "profound" or "deep".

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2003-01-28 11:42pm

That's not surprising (the anime and manga), since the brother's pretty much stated that they were the inspirations behinde the movies, but in terms of live action movies, it was the first (as far as I am aware). George Lucas would like to call himself an inovator (totally off topic, but hey), but I think Matrix was the landmark film (in the action genre) of the 90's hands down.

Darth Garden Gnome · Post by **Darth Garden Gnome** » 2003-01-28 11:45pm

Crown wrote:but I think Matrix was the landmark film (in the action genre) of the 90's hands down.

In America, yes. We've (myself included, but apparently not others, such as Spanky) never seen such a thing before, it was a brand new, and IMO completley kickass form of entertainment.

And then I found out that our friends ot the East have had this shit for a loooonnngggo time. Anywho, I'm not dazzled by it anymore, but its still a good watch.

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2003-01-28 11:56pm

The Hong Kong wire fighting routines have been around for a long time, and I have seen a lot of those movies, but the still camera work and such in conjuction with it, was just absoloutely new (live action film).

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-01-28 11:59pm

I'll go against the grain and say that I enjoyed The Matrix and I don't think Keanu did too bad.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-01-29 01:40am

Best Keanu Reeves movie, other than Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2003-01-29 01:51am

Darth Garden Gnome wrote:B....B...But....But it was....20 friggin Agent Smiths! And Neo kicked their asses with a pole! Tell me thatisn'tcool!

With a pole? Dude, they so ripped off Xiao Xiao.

How did you all like the premise of the Matrix though? About the whole world being a computer simulation thingy?

1. See Spanky's comment. I hate listening to people blather on about how "deep" it is. It is not deep.

2. IMO the amount of premises you have to accept for it to work stretches suspension of disbelief a little. FIRST we have to believe that humans have this magic, innate ability to power some special fusion process that these machines can use more efficiently than running on fission OR FUCKING HYDROELECTRIC POWER. They're machines, they don't need to care about the ecosystem, they can dam up every goddamn river in the world and have plenty of power to play with until the atmosphere calms down and they can have direct solar as well. Hell, they ran on solar *before* humanity "messed up" the atmosphere, hydro should be an improvement!

Then of course we have to accept that if you get hit by a bullet in the Matrix, your body will damage itself somehow because it "believes" it was shot. Disregarding that with a lot of discipline (or maybe just a fuckin' dose of PCP) you could probably will yourself to ignore the sensory input and keep on fighting despite what the Matrix was "telling" you you got hit by.

3. AI means that the machines can do anything, take over all electronics, and that they cannot have safeguards imposed that would prevent them from acting so dangerously against their masters.

I also did not care for most of the music. Give me Hans Zimmer and a fucking orchestra any day.

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2003-01-29 02:13am

That's cool of Keanu. Personally I like the guy. I never cared too much for the first Matrix, but seeing the two previews for the new one is getting me kinda excited. I just like the action and special effects. For me, almost 75% of going to the big screen is just that, big stuff.

IRG CommandoJoe · Post by **IRG CommandoJoe** » 2003-01-29 02:15am

Darth Wong wrote:So let's make sure we've got a woman in tight black leather.

Problem is that Trinity isn't at all that attractive. So they've failed that too.

And I agree with the rest of your post in hindsight. At first, I thought the whole concept of the Matrix was very disturbing, the way you're not just plugged into the Matrix, but actually...harvested. That part of the movie was burned into my brain. But the rest didn't leave much of an impact. The bullet-time was cool, but then I got all bullet-timed out with Max Payne. Great game, btw. And the trailer to the second Matrix looked like they were Jedi with katanas instead of lightsabers.

Whatever.

EDIT: Actually, more of a copy off of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Icehawk · Post by **Icehawk** » 2003-01-29 02:17am

1. See Spanky's comment. I hate listening to people blather on about how "deep" it is. It is not deep.

2. IMO the amount of premises you have to accept for it to work stretches suspension of disbelief a little. FIRST we have to believe that humans have this magic, innate ability to power some special fusion process that these machines can use more efficiently than running on fission OR FUCKING HYDROELECTRIC POWER. They're machines, they don't need to care about the ecosystem, they can dam up every goddamn river in the world and have plenty of power to play with until the atmosphere calms down and they can have direct solar as well. Hell, they ran on solar *before* humanity "messed up" the atmosphere, hydro should be an improvement!

Then of course we have to accept that if you get hit by a bullet in the Matrix, your body will damage itself somehow because it "believes" it was shot. Disregarding that with a lot of discipline (or maybe just a fuckin' dose of PCP) you could probably will yourself to ignore the sensory input and keep on fighting despite what the Matrix was "telling" you you got hit by.

3. AI means that the machines can do anything, take over all electronics, and that they cannot have safeguards imposed that would prevent them from acting so dangerously against their masters.

I also did not care for most of the music. Give me Hans Zimmer and a fucking orchestra any day.

They will be releasing prequals to the Matrix in Anime and CG format on DVD very soon (first one in Febuary I believe). They tell the story of just how the machines managed to take over and how humanity became enslaved. You should probably wait till they come out before passing judgement.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-01-29 11:23am

To me, if a movie doesn't have kickass special effects, and/or motion-sickness inducing action, it's not worth watching in a theather. That's what cable is for, or rentals.

Coaan · Post by **Coaan** » 2003-01-29 11:47am

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:
Kelly Antilles wrote:I saw the trailer during the super bowl. I wasn't impressed. It looked like a repeat of the first movie.
Yeah, but Oooh, look! Now they have swords!!

Depends on the coreography then

Coaan · Post by **Coaan** » 2003-01-29 11:51am

The Matrix was alright, It was nothing that hadn't already been thought of before to be honest, Keanu Reeves was just acting as himself...completely fucking clueless....

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-01-29 01:17pm

Coaan wrote:
Spanky The Dolphin wrote:
Kelly Antilles wrote:I saw the trailer during the super bowl. I wasn't impressed. It looked like a repeat of the first movie.
Yeah, but Oooh, look! Now they have swords!!

Depends on the coreography then

And the reason for using swords.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-01-29 01:44pm

The whole point with the guns and martial arts was that they were crutches. When Nero is truly THE ONE is when he discards these items, he no longer uses the guns and he is so fast now that he no longer needs martial arts. He is THE ONE. He can do anything now. So the guns and martial arts served a plotline purpose other than they are kewl. (which they most certainly were.

)

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-01-29 02:36pm

I'll say that I enjoyed the first movie. No, it didn't have the best plot and required that I shut down my mind for some parts, but I thought that it was fun to watch.

Reeves seems like a pretty decent guy, he apparently has enough money as it is and wants this movie done.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-01-29 02:39pm

For me it was mindless fun...the same thing I do when I play most RTS and shooters...or heck any game.

I mean these days when people go no orginality...pfft...there hasn't been any for a great many years...and I doubt given the lethargy of many, that will change.

As for Keanu...well he put money forth and that's nice...so I'll just have to fend off my friends who get rabid over this(same thing I did with TTT)

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2003-01-29 03:02pm

I loved it on the SE DVD when Laurence Fishbourne claims that only a moron wouldn't understant the movie, this is after each and every one of the main characters said they didn't get it

The movie itself was very unique at the time for live action. But now the parodies are making a joke outta the whole thing.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-01-29 03:48pm

Great first film, little slow at places, but good overall. I don't go in for that deep crap either, it's an action film with a cyberpunk edge.

The effects were good, the action was well done and the potential was there. If you don't like the film then don't watch the bloody things, simple. I personally look forward to Reloaded and Revolutions and hope they don't dumb them down to become total crap like the Scorpion King or something.

As for the Animatrix, yeah, that will be one to look out for. Isn't Mamoru Oshii doing a story arc in that?

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-01-29 04:18pm

Yes! I LOVE THE MATRIX!