Oh man, oh man, oh man. I was long overdue to plug back into the Matrix. This is one of those cultural touchstones I experienced first hand, it is absolutely my generation’s Star Wars (although funny enough so are the Prequels), and despite being lamely parodied to hell over the last 22 years it’s still the coolest shit ever. Without a doubt one of the best films ever made, ever. Perfection in every form of the art of film making. 

As relentlessly and endlessly talented as the Wachowskis are, I don’t know if what we get is as good if the cast isn’t exactly each actor that’s in their roles. Neo doesn’t work with Will Smiths animated charisma in place of spiritual presence of Keanu, Morpheus doesn’t work without Laurence Fishburnes complete and utter authority and Trinity doesn’t work without Carrie Anne Moss’ ability to convey a level of willpower even the machines they’re fighting can’t attain.

I think what really struck a nerve for us wasn’t the trench coats, slo no shoot outs or techno music, (although that did help), it was seeing so much of ourselves in Neos journey. We too felt aimless in our existence, scouring the then very new and mysterious Internet searching for purpose and others like ourselves. So to have Carrie Anne Moss in skin tight leather seeking you out to explain some next level shit was pretty much ultimate wish fulfilment.

But, it helps that the Wachowski sisters (whom are sadly deadnamed in the end credits of the 4K disc, if there was ever an acceptable frame to do a Lucas on it’s totally their credits on their early filmography) pulled on influences that us cool kids had, John Woo shootouts, the Terminator films, anime, notably Akira, GITS, some others that escape me, and ones I probably haven’t seen, Blade Runner which at the time was still a very underground cult film and the bibliography of William Gibson and presented it to the world in the coolest manner possible. Of course also adding heavy dosage of religious overtones, which I feel I should delve into more when I do the sequels. 

So it’s funny this is considered something of a turn of Millenium time capsule, owing more to its influence and ittedly dated soundtrack, when it’s ultimately a summation of 20 years worth of prophetic influences that ultimately make it incredibly timeless.