The Matrix franchise directed by Lilly Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski, at least the first trilogy, has altered the notion of the very foundation of sci-fi action movies in Hollywood. The franchise is complex and rich in narrative which attracted Keanu Reeves who played the protagonist.
Reeves’ association with the franchise is fascinating, it was primarily because of his faith in the layered structure of the narratives that vowed to revolutionize the essence of science fiction tales on screens with astounding visuals. So, for Reeves, The Matrix will always be on top of any action movie.
Keanu Reeves Believes The Matrix Is One Of A Kind
It might sting the hearts of many devout fans of John Wick but Keanu Reeves is keen on placing The Matrix above all of his works. Of course, the Lilly Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski-directed franchise has been one of the highlighting prospects of his career but there is more to the story for which he bowed down to the gravity of the franchise. Reeves debuted in the sci-fi action movie series with the first movie The Matrix released in 1999 playing the title character Neo. His character was meticulously crafted, “The film is, I think, character- and story-oriented,” Reeves told Empire explaining the exhilarating thrills that ride alongside Neo.
“That’s why they wanted the actors to do the fight sequences. So they could pull the camera back and you could always have a sense of place. And in terms of the story, something is being acted out. So I never really looked at it as an action movie apart from some of the gun stuff in the government lobby. But that’s exciting too.”
But beyond that, there has been a tension behind bringing into action what Wachowskis have envisioned. Reeves added:
“I love the tension; after five hours of setting a shot up and then getting one go at it. I kinda like that. It’s terrifying but it’s also exciting.”
So, for Reeves, or many fans of the sci-fi movie series, The Matrix rises above the traditional sci-fi or action narratives. It is larger than that, engraved with more philosophical essence, and the classic dilemma of the character’s every spectrum makes it Reeves’ sweetheart.
Keanu Reeves’ Love At First Sight With The Narratives
The Matrix was never intended to be another sci-fi project coming out of Hollywood, the Wachowski siblings had a different vision in their minds. Their idea to create a dystopian world with characters in an alternate reality with mind-bending layers of the story created thrill and suspense throughout. It was an adventure with action and gun-blazing exhibition but Reeves was in love with the script first. “It was the script,” he told Empire recalling the 1999 movie.
“The writing first of all. The way that the characters speak and what they say. I loved the dialogue and the ideas in the piece. I was really struck by the storytelling. They [screenwriters-directors, the Wachowski siblings] found a way in a kind of linear journey to tell a non-linear story. It wasn’t what I call a ‘climbing a mountain’ thing, you know?”
There’s the mountain, Reeves added, “and we’re going to climb the mountain. And then we have the trials of climbing the mountain.” The Matrix is evergreen being one of the most influential sci-fi movies in Hollywood that defied every odds of making a franchise with high technological glaze while keeping the aesthetics of the narratives intact.
The Matrix franchise is available to stream on Max.
