The Matrix(1999) was a huge deal. I was only 3 years old when it was released, but I remember how excited my brother and Dad were to go see it. The film follows a very appealing 3 act structure that raises many questions. In the first act, the audience immediately wants to know who this woman is that can escape from a dozen policeman plus these ‘special agent guys’. And even more so, how did she disappear from the phone booth that one of the special agents drove into? Viewers are immediately thrown into confusion. Are there two different worlds? Why is his computer talking to him? Why are they looking for this programmer/hacker known as Tom Anderson? The audience wants answers, which entices them to keep watching. The Wachowski brothers purposefully continue this feeling of necessity to know more through what seems to be an abnormally long and atypical first act. We learn Mr. Anderson alternate identity as a hacker, but other than that, the audience does not know much about him or the plot in general. The film doesn’t even come across as a science fiction at first. Act 1 seems to function more like a lengthy prologue before the movie can truly start. The action finally takes a turn when the catalyst happens: Neo decides to take the red pill.
In the second act, explanations for all the questions raised in the first act are answered. The audience is given insight to the two different worlds as it is explained to Neo. Now we start getting into the sci-fi genre that rings true to the reputation of the film. We learn that for Morpheus and his crew, no practice is needed to learn skill no one needs to practice when it comes to skills. Like when Neo learned ju-jitsu; just a click of a button imports the skills necessary for Neo to perform and fight against Morpheus. We experience this later when Trinity instantly learns how to pilot a helicopter. We also learn that, “The body cannot live without the mind”. So if they die in the Matrix, they die in reality. This creates tension and heightens the stakes for any scene that happens in the Matrix. The third foreshadowing we learn of is the disloyalty of Cypher and his deal with Agent Smith. Throughout the ups and downs in action of the second act, the central question of the film is raised: is Neo the one? Neo is forced to make a second, plot-altering decision: save, or kill Morpheus. This decision points the action out of the second act, and toward the climax.
The climax does what it’s supposed to do, answers the central question with yes. Neo is the one. Initially, I don’t believe the Wachowski brothers meant for this movie to be a sequel. They successfully satisfied the audience when Neo realizes his power and defeats the agents. However, now that man and machine are on an equal playing field, there is finally an opportunity for resolution. The Matrix can be destroyed, which is the plight of Morpheus and his crew. Now that the power is equalized, the resolution can easily be reached through sequels and further satisfy the audience. [And make a lot more money]
Media Design and Criticism 