Was the whole Matrix thing a fad?

Friday, April 23, 2004 by ToeJo | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

It cracks me up how so much hype can be made over something like a movie. I fully admit, I was caught way up in the whole "Matrix" movie thing. I was chomping at the bit to see the last 2 movies. I talked with all my friends about it, I whined that the 3rd one couldn''t come out quick enough, I kept telling everyone that it was going to be so awesome when the third one was released. (Story wise...it was kind of a dud)

2+ weeks ago it was released on DVD. I didn''t even know about it. I waited a couple of days, bought it and watched some parts of it...no big deal....

It kinda scares me how I was so caught up in such a fad. I hope I''m on better guard before the next fad comes along.
9 Reply 1 Referrals
MarkMcQ
Reply #1 Friday, April 23, 2004 2:00 PM
It''s always the same with these things. Computer geeks will always get their knickers in a knot when something comes along that actually makes them look cool.

NightTrainthedark
Reply #2 Friday, April 23, 2004 2:07 PM
I have to respectfully disagree about it being a dud. I never saw it in a theatre. I waited for the DVD. All I heard was it sucked, its a dud, they dont answer anything...etc. By the time I got to seeing it I thought it was pretty good. I didn''t have high expectations at all. I expected some cool effects and the usual fighting. They just didn''t spend much time in the matrix and that is why I think most people were dissapointed. My 51" high def lcd widescreen kinda adds to the viewing pleasure as well. *shameless brag*

ToeJo
Reply #3 Friday, April 23, 2004 2:15 PM
I must admit...it was a visual and sonic spectle. It was more impressive on our 55 inch HD than in the theatre as well. I guess I was expecting it to answer more questions than it did. Or, at least it answered some but opened a whole lot more. Whatever the case...I was too wrapped up in it. And not because I''m a computer geek and I thought it made me look cool. I already know that I''m a total geek and need to receive consoling for it right away!

ToeJo
Reply #4 Friday, April 23, 2004 2:17 PM
And spelling as well.

craeonics
Reply #5 Friday, April 23, 2004 8:58 PM
The only thing that annoys me is when people talk about "Matrix effects" when they see other movies, while none of them had innovative effects.

DesignCaddy
Reply #6 Friday, April 23, 2004 10:04 PM
just don''t see it like that. matrix movies have this great philosophy that was brought out in the second movie when they started tying in the whole ''who''s better, us or the machines'' deal and started developing the characters. i didn''t want to see the second movie because of the effects of the first one, i wanted to see it because of the great questions it raised. fad? only if you''re used to living one fad to the next. still havn''t seen the third but i can''t wait to get my hands on it. didn''t have to be anything innovative or astounding in graphics.. point is, it was well done (though its the first time i saw effects like that, outside of dune of course). it in a ''fad'' category like pokemon and you kill it :/



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WebGizmos
Reply #7 Saturday, April 24, 2004 1:18 AM
It''s called escapism guys! It''s all about escaping into a fantasy world and leaving reality behind. But the bottom line is that the guys that made the movie got to see their dream come true and are laughing all the way to the bank. If you can make a better movie...go for it! I personally enjoyed the graphics and visuals. Oh!...And it looked great in my home movie theater!



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Hus
Reply #8 Saturday, April 24, 2004 2:13 AM
The Matrix is just as much about it''s philisophies and story as is, it''s visual aspect. The idea behind it...or any movie for that matter is what makes it good. Lord of the Rings had some of the best visual effects in the history of movie making...but that''s not all that made it so good. It''s the story behind it. I personally loved all 3 Matrix movies...and I really hope there will be a new set of Matrix movies...or more Matrix stuff...I can''t get enough of it.

MikeB314
Reply #9 Saturday, April 24, 2004 10:14 AM

In short, I don''t think the Matrix was a fad. Now here''s my reasoning.

If you consider a fad to be something that is widely popular for a brief period of time, and then fades from memory, I don''t think that will happen with the Matrix.

The closest historical reference I can think of is Star Wars. It originally consisted of 3 movies, released over the course of a few years. It was a huge pop-culture phenomenon to the extent that you could make a Star Wars reference 10 years after the 3rd movie, and everyone would get it. I think this will be the case with the Matrix as well. Star Wars remained a part of pop-culture for nearly 20 years before another movie was released, and continues to be.

As craeonics mentioned, there are endless references to "Matrix style" visual effects. Whether you believe they are founded or not, this is a case where perception is reality. Slow motion wire kung-fu, and "bullet-time", will be forever tied to the Matrix.

Now here is where Star Wars and the Matrix differ. Star Wars was targeted at general audiences, with its PG rating. The franchise was heavily supported by the wide range of toys that many of us probably played with as kids. At that time, everything from pillow cases to underwear had images of Darth Vader or Yoda on them. I clearly remember playing out Star Wars scenes with my friends at recess in the second grade.

The Matrix, on the other hand, was aimed at older audiences. From its deeply philosophical story, to the graphic violence, it''s just not a movie you can show, in its entirety, to a 6 year old. The toy offering I''ve seen appears to be designed for collectors in their 20''s or older. They seem more like display pieces than toys a kid would play with.

Unlike the relationship I''ve had with Star Wars since Kindergarten, I don''t the Matrix will be such a big part of the younger generation''s childhood.

That aside, I still believe that the Matrix has made a big enough impact on pop-culture and modern action film making, that it will not be forgotten for many, many years to come.


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