There is movies before 1999's The Matrix, and there is movies after The Matrix and those two worlds are not the same. Into a cinematic landscape of TV adaptations, potbolier thrillers, and Oscar-bait dramas came a film that kicked open the screen doors of the public's perception and changed movie-making forever. The Matrix is so ingrained into our idea of technology and culture that it's hard to imagine its absence, but we're here to try and pick apart its contribution to culture, misunderstanding the red pill, and the film's status as the ultimate cyberpunk artifact.
In this episode, we discuss the inspirations behind the universe of the Matrix, its forebears in sci-fi and Hong Kong cinema, the trend of reality-questioning media in the 1990s, the power of the series's practical effects, the intentions of the creators, our fan theories and headcanon, and how it's ultimately a spiritual film. We also talk about "Who shot JR?", cool European AIs, high-caliber flipping, digital goulash, being more Dicky than Gibsonian, the Google Agent Smith AI, 'punkin in the '90s, Happy Meal levels of cultural penetration, Kate Moss kicking ass, fascinating straight people, killing a car with a sword, and a heist PLUS a rave cave?!
Matthew Lillard is the One!
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