Summary
The Matrix’s Keanu Reeves emotionally reflects on the revolutionary sci-fi blockbuster 25 years later, saying it “changed my life.” Written and directed by the Wachowskis, the sci-fi action film follows Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers that the life he knows is an intricate illusion controlled by sentient machines and joins a rebellion to free humanity from the titular simulated reality. Other Reeves in the lead role,The Matrixcastalso includes Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano.
During a recent appearance onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertpromoting his latest project, a novel written in collaboration with author China Miéville titledThe Book of Elsewhere,Reeves reflected onThe Matrixand the impact it had on him and so many other peoples' lives. Watch the video below:
Reeves was asked to share the fondest memory from each of his most iconic films and, forThe Matrix, the actor got emotional and, after a long pause, said the movie “changed my life.” Reeves went on to reflect on the revolutionary sci-fi blockbuster and how it has changed so many other peoples' lives. Read his full comments below:
The Matrixchanged my life. And then, over these years, it’s changed so many other peoples’ lives in really positive and great ways. As an artist, you hope for that when you get to do a film or tell a story. And so when you say these years and the amount of people I’ve met who have said to me and been touched byThe Matrixin such a positive way… it’s the best.
How The Matrix Changed Keanu Reeves' Life
& Cinema As A Whole
As the lead star of the movie,The Matrixhad a profound impact onReeves' life and career. Before, he was known for his breakthrough role as a slacker inBill & Ted’s Excellent Adventureand an action hero inPoint BreakandSpeed. However, after several box-office disappointments,The Matrixsolidified Reeves as a major action starand changed his career trajectory in several significant ways. For the sequels,The Matrix ReloadedandThe Matrix Revolutions, Reeves earned the distinction of being the highest-paid actor for a single production.
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The Matrixdid not only change Reeves' life, but cinema as a whole. The originalMatrixmoviewas much more than a massive critical and commercial success, it stands as a seminal work in the cyberpunk subgenre of science-fiction. The Wachowskis' visual style was distinct and groundbreaking, influenced by anime and martial arts films, and incorporated techniques from Hong Kong action cinema, such as wire-fu. The movie innovated the visual effect known as “bullet time,” which revolutionized action cinema to come. Today,The Matrixis widely considered one of the greatest and most influential sci-fi films ever made.
As Reeves mentions,The Matrixbecame a major movie franchise that not only changed his life, but the lives of many others. Two sequels,The Matrix ReloadedandThe Matrix Revolutions, were released in 2003 and nearly 20 years later,The Matrix Resurrectionswas released in 2021, andThe Matrix 5is currently in development with Drew Goddard writing and directing. Reeves' reflection onThe Matrixserves as a poignant reminder of the film’s enduring impact not only on his life, but on action cinema as a whole.
The Matrix
Cast
The Matrix, released in 1999, is set in the 22nd century and follows a computer hacker, Neo, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. He joins a group of underground insurgents led by Morpheus to combat the domineering computers that control the earth, in a battle that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.
