The Matrix

i genuinely cannot believe i made it this long without watching this movie somehow avoided every spoiler. i had literally no idea what this movie was about, so everything hit me at full force and every reveal actually shocked me. also… young keanu reeves. that’s it. need him. i also really miss movies with harsh and intentional color grading and this one uses it so well. the green tint of the matrix vs. the cooler, more natural tones of the real world makes everything so easy to read visually without being distracting. it feels purposeful in a way that i don’t see as much anymore. i recently watched a video about old cgi and how films used to rely on it just enough while still grounding everything in practical effects, and this movie is the perfect example of that balance. the effects don’t feel overdone or (too) fake. they feel imaginative but still physical, like the filmmakers actually had to problem solve instead of just animating everything. it makes the action feel heavier and more real, and honestly more impressive knowing when it was made. there are definitely some parts that feel a little campy, but i genuinely loved that about it. it reminded me so much of the kinds of movies that came out when i was younger and i really miss that vibe. i was fully glued to the screen the entire time, actually interested in what was happening, and had such a good time watching it. can’t believe i waited this long, but i’m so glad i finally did.