critique

Student’s Name Date

The Matrix Example for Critique 1

1. List the name(s) of the Director, 2 leading actors and the names of their characters. (5 pts)

Directors: Larry and Andy Wachowski Keanu Reeves: Thomas Anderson/Neo Laurence Fishburne: Morpheus

2. Plot synopsis. (Name leading characters and major action in one page) (10 pts)

Thomas Anderson, a computer programmer bored with his life and job spends his nights

as a nefarious hacker with the code name Neo. He pursues the question “What is the

Matrix?” His quest leads him to Morpheus, the leader of a band of rebels who believes

that Neo is “The One” who can defeat the machines and their Matrix to free all mankind.

With his help Neo “unplugs” and begins his journey to find his own destiny. Reentering

the Matrix with the rebels Neo meets with The Oracle who tells him he is not The One

because he seems to be waiting for something and that he will have to choose between

saving Morpheus’ life or his own. Neo, Morpheus, Trinity (a beautiful woman with whom

Neo falls in love) and three other rebels are betrayed to the “Agents” by one of their own,

Cypher. As a result Switch, Mouse and Apoc are killed and Morpheus is captured. Neo

chooses to rescue Morpheus even though he will probably die. He believes that his

human unpredictability will give him an edge. Neo and Trinity accomplish the impossible

in the computer generated world of the Matrix and do rescue Morpheus. During the

rescue Neo realizes that he no longer waiting for something as the Oracle predicted and

that he is The One. As Morpheus tells him, “There’s difference between knowing the

path and walking the path.” With his new found confidence Neo fights Agent Smith who

shoots him in the chest. Neo believes he is dying but somewhere between the Real

World and the Matrix he hears Trinity’s words of love and chooses to live. When he rises

in the hallway of the Matrix where he transcends death he sees the Matrix for what it is,

defeats Agent Smith and fulfills his destiny to become “The One.”

3. Theme:

What was the theme or underlying message? (State in 1 sentence then defend in a following paragraph) (5 pts)

“Create the path of your own destiny and have the courage to walk it.”

When “living” in the Matrix Neo knew that he was destined for more and even when

freed from the Matrix by Morpheus who believed that Neo was “The One” (the savior of

mankind) it wasn’t until Neo had to save those he loved (Morpheus and Trinity) that Neo

found the power within himself to act. At that point Neo became “The One”. As

Morpheus tells him, “There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the

path.”

4. Symbol:

Discuss one symbol. (State as “this symbolizes that” then explain what it represented and why it was

important to the film.) (5 pts)

Morpheus symbolizes the human dream of freedom.

In the ancient world “Morpheus” was the Greek god of dreams (photo on right). He could

change shape or create dreams for mortals to find their true path. Morpheus of this film

(played by Lawrence Fishburn in photo on left) wakes Neo from his long sleep within the

Matrix and becomes his mentor. He educates, protects and pushes Neo to find his true

path and walk it.

5. Camera Choices: What choices were made in the placement of the camera and why? (28 pts) Give specific examples of the use of:

Long Shot

A long shot keeps us emotionally distant from what we see.

Long shots were used to establish the well populated city in the Matrix. We were seldom

allowed to become acquainted with people in the city. When the camera moved closer

to the grandmother in the kitchen or the homeless man in the subway it was to surprise

us with their transformation into an Agent. Like the workers in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis the

population of The Matrix is a means to an end and we are kept emotionally distant from

them.

Medium Shot

A medium shot makes us feel like we’re in the scene.

Most shots involving the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar were Medium shots. The audience

was encouraged to develop a relationship with each of them and the close proximity of

the ship seldom allowed for extensive long shots. The morning Neo meets everyone in

the mess hall to eat breakfast is a series of medium shots to make us feel welcome but

not intrusive – much as Neo felt.

Close-up

A close-up makes us care about the character.

Close-ups were used often for Morpheus, Trinity and Neo. These were the three

characters driving the film and it is necessary for the audience to care for them.

Although beautiful Carrie Ann Moss as Trinity was often shot in a close-up this was

Neo’s film. We question his world and discover the new one through his eyes whether

it’s bending the spoon or experiencing his transformation through the looking glass much

like Alice.

Low Angle

A Low Angle is used to give a character power.

When Neo rescues Trinity from the helicopter there is a jump cut from an over

shoulder high angle (making Neo vulnerable) as he watches the helicopter crash into the

building to an eye level shot on the Nebuchadnezzar of Tank whispering in awe, “I knew

it, he’s the one” jumping back to a low angle of Neo powerfully pulling Trinity out of

harm’s way. The use of a low angle reinforces Neo’s strength and establishes his power

as the One.

Eye Level Angle

An eye level shot makes us feel like we’re a part of the scene.

When Morpheus is being interrogated by Agent Smith the “just below the eye line” angle

brings us into the conversation. It is shot mostly in a two shot with both characters in

frame preventing us from identifying too completely with Agent Smith since we are

constantly aware of Morpheus’ suffering since he is the representative of humanity.

High Angle

A high angle makes the character appear weak or vulnerable.

A high angle is used when showing the city and the busy people moving through the

streets. This angle not only makes them look small, weak and vulnerable but the size of

the buildings relative to them makes them appear like ants in an anthill.

Dolly or Crane

The movement of a dolly or crane shot allows us to move with the character.

There’s a constant use of a horizontal dolly or a vertical/diagonal crane shots throughout

the film. The Directors wanted the audience to feel what the characters feel as they

“magically” move through The Matrix. The audience “runs” with Neo across the rooftop

or walks briskly through the ship. When the realities of dolly tracks or crane extensions

proved limiting visual effects guru John Gaeta created “bullet time”.

This is accomplished with a circular green screen perforated with close to 100 cameras

shooting both still and moving images. This allowed the action within the shot to appear

to stop or move in slow motion while the camera point of view (usually done with a dolly)

moved at normal speed. This technique was invented for this film and created a

movement unique to the Matrix universe.

6. Visual Elements: How did the visual elements reinforce the theme? (Discuss each element and

cite 2 specific examples for each in individual paragraphs. Refer back to Chapter 10 - Design for

how to describe each visual element and their emotional relationship with the audience.) (32 pts)

Scenery

Within the Matrix

A basic premise of the film is not to trust what others tell you is the truth of your reality,

therefore the traditional choices made for good and evil are presented in opposition.

Inside the Matrix the city looks like a regular American city. There are many long

verticals lines to establish the power of the Matrix in the upward thrust of the buildings.

The spaces around and within the buildings are large making the humans appear small.

There are both warm and cool colors with an emphasis on blue used in decoration while

the buildings are neutral. The street scenes are busy in line, texture, color and

movement. It is a city apparently full of life and while the city in the Matrix appears to be

lived in and older, it is not dangerous, dark or ominous.

The Real World

The “Real World” however, represented by the rebel ship, the Nebuchadnezzar is

dangerous, dark and ominous. There are no natural materials. It is all metal, cold and

angular.

The spaces are small forcing the humans to move in close proximity to each other. The

living quarters are cramped with single metal cots covered with thin blankets and no

padding. There are no comforts or individual touches like pictures or memorabilia. The

truth of the Real World is a stark existence to contrast the lie of the Matrix.

Costumes

The two costumes worn by Neo are an example of recognizing the truth without being

blinded by the illusion of a lie. Within the Matrix:

After his rescue when Neo returns to the Matrix he dresses as he wishes or as he sees

himself. He wears black from head to toe, not the traditional color of a hero but certainly

acceptable as an antihero (he is in conflict with the established authority). He is one

long, strong line from shoulders to the ground. His boots are thick and strong grounding

him and giving him a forceful step. His leather coat is open to reveal his well-toned body

and although his skin is covered completely the t-shirt and leather pants are tight and

form fitting. He wears opaque dark glasses that hide the truth behind his eyes and his

hair is black and full. He is a strong, masculine force to be reckoned with.

The Real World

In the “Real World” his clothes are torn, ratty and old. They look like patched hand-me

downs.

They are cool colors, not black. He is bald or his hair is close cropped not thick and

luxurious as in the Matrix. He has cuts and scratches as well as a sickly pallor partially

from his years in the Matrix and partially from the fluorescent blue of the lighting on the

ship. His arms, spine and neck are also lined with metal holes, reminders of his

connections in the bio pods of the Matrix. He and all the humans look weak and

vulnerable.

Lighting

Within the Matrix

Again, in contrast to the reality of darkness under the nuclear fallout, the city in the lie of

the Matrix is lit with warm sunlight providing few shadows for the characters to hide

within. Only a few scenes take place at night and usually involve colorful artificial light.

Nothing appears to be hidden from the Matrix. Whenever the Agents are in the scene

the lighting is either bright or at least visibility is clear. However when Neo is in the Matrix

and is faced with a choice on his life path like whether to get in the car with Trinity or

take the red pill

the scenes take place at night with a single light source and often in the rain further

obscuring the clarity of vision.

The Real World

The “Real World” aboard the ship is either dark or lit with weak fluorescent blue light. It is

a cold, unflattering light. The ship is filled with shadows and the constant hum of the

artificial lighting.

The people, the clothing, their surroundings appear flat and lifeless when the opposite is

the truth. The morning after Morpheus tells Neo that he believes Neo is The One a

single fluorescent light flickers on to reveal Neo is sitting alone in darkness

contemplating his future.

Props

Within the Matrix

The props in both the Matrix and the Real World appear to be realistic objects. In the

Matrix, the technological devices like cellular telephones and computers are state of the

art (for 1999). The Agents however do not use them. They have earplugs that connect

them directly to the main frame and consequently to the thoughts of every human being

in the Matrix.

The Real World

The props in the Real World look used and old.

The technology aboard the ship appears to be cobbled together of disparate machines.

The humans make do with what they have. Tank’s console for example is composed of

several computer monitors attached precariously above a keyboard attached to a swivel

chair. The humans use their brains and their ingenuity to make the best life possible for

themselves.

7. Goethe’s three questions.

(As an exercise in critical thinking the discussion of each question should be separated into individual paragraphs and collectively they should be at least 1 page in length. Refer back to Chapter 1- Introduction for suggestions about answering these questions (15 pts)

What was the Artist trying to do?

The directors, Larry and Andy Wachowski presented their view of a possible

future dystopia using a science fiction action adventure and Kung Fu fighting film. By

pitting the comfort and ease offered by a life run by machines versus the dirt and danger

of reveling in our humanity The Matrix asks questions that our society must contemplate

as we rely more and more on machines. The film suggests that we create the path of

our own destiny and but then we must have the courage to walk it

How well did they do it?

Exceptionally well. The Matrix concerns technology and its place in our lives

which are issues facing society today. The film itself moved special effects forward

creating “Bullet time”. The Wachowskis created two worlds of equal validity. The world of

the Matrix looks comfortable and disconcertingly like our own while the sparsity and

coldness of their “real world” is a frightening and uninviting possibility. The casting was

inspired. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne and Laurence Fishburne had amazing chemistry

and the sleek leather costumes and mind bending philosophical riddle of what is “reality”

created an intriguing film that inspired conversations on multiple levels.

Was it worth doing?

Absolutely. The Wachowskis managed to create an entertaining adventure film

that asks fundamental questions not only about society but about man’s perception of

reality. They attacked the philosopher’s question, “If you could live in a magic box that

fully realizes a life for you, a life that is potentially satisfying and fulfilling would you

choose to live there? And which life is reality?” Those living in the Matrix did not choose

to live there, but if that reality is all they have ever known is it any less a reality? I enjoy

films that pose questions and in this case answer them. The script kept me intrigued and

posed philosophical questions that I pondered for days, even years later. The leading

actors created characters that I found interesting enough to watch in two sequels and

the design and technology created new worlds that other films have imitated for

decades.