The Matrix: How to Begin a Movie

The Matrix has one of the all-time greatest opening scenes. Let's talk about why it works.
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[@i_dont_know_who_i_am69]

You can make hundreds of videos on Matrix and I'd probably watch them all

[@SamuelFaict.Filmmaker]

There aren't enough of them though on this channel ;-)

[@arakarlagris]

I second that comment. I am a Matrix addict. I will watch anything related to The Matrix. I have really enjoyed the two video essays because they help me dig beneath the surface to realize how and why this movie grabbed me and won't let go.

[@adrienvillez]

same, and I can't wait for the reboot!

[@smarthalayla6061]

Since the matrix is based on Jewish Kabbalah, no wonder that most of humanity got hooked with that film. To Hebrew speakers, the film is clear as a day light. To bad the most of humanity hates God chosen people, the Jews, because the wisdom they have can only give fortune to humanity.

[@johnbd9765]

Isn't the Kabbalah that big rock the arabs worship?

[@Omni315]

2:35 Trinity's door number is 303, Neo's door number is 101. Years on I'm still noticing little gems from this movie.

[@elreydelvideo]

Omni315 Neo is the "ONE", as being the real leader of the resistence and most powerful than everybody, 2nd it will *MORPHEUS* and 3rd *Trinity* as the order of power goes, they 3 are the trinity of Good in the movie until the end, 3 inportant parts and character having more meaning to each other, that everybody things

[@RichBellamy]

Assuming that you noticed room 303 is the location of the final scene as well?

[@yunase]

it's a specific trait which comes from the designer ozwald boateng who does gimmick like these on this suits. Not certain it has an impact on the story.

[@yunase]

this trait disappears in the next movies (which means they either changed the designer or simply let the costume chief decide all the works) or the matrix made adjustments to fight Neo. But yes, the only plausible explanation would be the "special" treatment they possess as they are perceived as quite standard and low-key on the outside (men in black uniform) but retain a colorful (yellow) subtle signs to distinguish themselves (the yellow symbolism is either loyalty or cowardice).

[@dot.O]

The terminator is the prequel to the Matrix. They're based on the Bible. John Conor = JC = Jesus Christ = The One = Neo...just another little Gem. Look up Sophia Stewart, you'll learn the truth about the movie.

[@maximeteppe7627]

Small caveat about dark city: the monologue was a demand of the producers that were affraid that the audience would be lost. The director's cut removes it and is all the better for being a thicker mistery all along. So if you haven't seen it yet, watch the director's cut. Interestingly, this opening scene was done on one of the sets of Dark city.

[@patrickhwillems]

I'm well aware (big Dark City fan). But since the theatrical cut is the most common version, I don't think it's inaccurate to include here.

[@ziiofswe]

I think the movie is better without it, BUT the intro is a classic in itself, so I'm a bit torn..... "First, there was, darkness. Then, came, the strangers..." :P

[@maximeteppe7627]

true, that opening monologue us better than most, and the theatrical cut didn't prevent me from falling in love with the movie's atmosphere.

[@opensprit]

The Matrix hooked me the moment Trinity pulled her guns on the landing. She was running from the agents. She was hidden on the roof, but she knew they'd find her. And THERE is the window, but it's too far, too small. Even for superpower woman, it's nearly impossible. But she has no choice, she has to try for it. Using all her skill she barely makes it and crashes on the stairs. But instead of the groaning slow recovery limping away scene I was expecting, as soon as she came to an abrupt stop she instantly pulls her guns and aims them at the window. She's afraid the agents will follow her! She made a desperate leap that she barely pulled off and she's afraid they'll keep coming. It's like if Butch and Sundance were afraid the posse would follow them over the cliff.

[@2adamast]

I see an anorexic actress who has problem stabilizing one gun but wields two. Now she trained for months her chinese movie kung fu, so probably I see it wrong.

[@copaceticetal]

With so many movies, in order to establish to the audience that a villain is a physical threat, they kill or defeat a character the audience knows is badass. Its called The Worf Effect on TV tropes, since Worf was the victim of this in pretty much every single episode of TNG. The Wachowskis, I feel like, establish (or codified) something new here. You see Trinity handily murder a room full of armed police officers, but the moment when she finds out Agents are after her she's freaked out. If this superpowered one woman army is this terrified of these guys in black suits just HOW powerful are they compared to her? The movie doesn't have to kill her off to establish this and if Trinity fought one of these guys and lost, but still somehow escaped it would weaken them. The fact that she doesn't want to be anywhere near them makes them scary.

[@Spudcore]

@Adamast - Anorexic? Seriously? You must be into SSBBWs, or maybe just an asshole.

[@trollope3370]

The Matrix essay: reloaded

[@matteofurlotti6211]

Could you do a video for every scene? Please?

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

Lol.

[@itsiwhatitsi]

Matrix is a real masterpiece

[@tylerdurden788]

And matrix 4 was a huge letdown

[@thetramp123]

"weirdly dressed pale woman" was probably part of the casting call.

[@ChocolateAsian9000]

I love how in the opening number trace call, you can actually hear a slight beep right before Trinity asks "What was that? Are you sure this line is secure?"

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

This was a super analysis. "Growing list of questions" perfectly describes the hook. To add, The Matrix is one of the few films that is either iconic or memorable in every scene.

[@brunograndis7]

Had to pause it to re-listen to that Man in black song.

[@rolanddeschain6089]

I had to pause, to recover from a few seconds of this terrible song.

[@justanotherfakeid]

Roland Deschain Roland clearly did not git jiggy wit it.

[@dylan594]

Roland Deschain No one cares.

[@dylan594]

*****​ LOL okay I didn't realise I upset the fan club.

[@_yellow]

Had to pause when I saw the woman in the latex suit to take a quick one.

[@BUMP0H]

I respect The Matrix for what it accomplished and some of the groundbreaking effects we use today. I love video essays, because as an aspiring filmmaker, I take these ideas and mold them to suit my style. You are one of the few channels that do this that I really enjoy. So when people say, "I clicked this video so fast when I saw it!" I really mean that. I hope that one day, I can collaberate with you in the future. God Speed, Defeat all seven evil Ex's, Rescue the princess and thank you for the video! ☺️☺️

[@BlakeTedKord]

Michael Anton What movies have you done?

[@BUMP0H]

All of them!!! Nah, JK. A few videos on my channel, I am trying to improve. Soon, I begin production on an actual short film. Which I am excited for!

[@joescott]

Great breakdown!

[@deathscreton]

It's Joe! I love your channel boss. Keep those opening skits coming!

[@86thfloor]

More awesome work - thank you so much for making the follow up to last weeks video. I'd never thought of the James Bond comparison before but it makes so much sense.

[@LincolnPower27]

I'll never forget being 10 years old and going to see this movie with my Mom in the theaters. I knew absolutely nothing about it going in. The movie blew my little-boy-mind. I honestly left the theater so mesmerized by the spectacle of it all I could not even answer the question, "what is the matrix?" and its something my friends and I discussed and debated for months before the DVD came out.

[@dj2neo]

You didn't disappoint! Please more Matrix (you might've mentioned at least 5 in your previous video, so now for some reason, I'm expecting that number). Thank you so much sir!

[@MrMutenRoshi]

Great content. You too got me hooked in this essay wanting more!

[@calebcorlett6010]

I love your video essays - almost more than your narrative stuff tbh. So good. so good.

[@ATylerHarrahFilm]

i will seriously never forget the first time i saw this opening scene, nor this movie. i was glad to see you had a video on it because i've ALWAYS loved this opening and thought it was brilliant. thanks for giving voice to all the reasons why it's brilliant

[@ddiaz28]

Another great video essay. Your descriptions really brought me back to the feelings I had when I first saw the film.

[@VenusHeadTrap2]

That was wonderful Patrick! Time to make popcorn and binge your movie essays

[@primacyfilms6706]

One of my favorite movies ever. Excellent essay on the opening!!

[@freeofavia]

Lots of people make these kinds of videos. But I think yours are some of the very best.

[@seanfeehly6206]

i subscribed to your channel after watching 1 video essay so i must tell you, now that i've seen them all i really hope you continue to make more, i really enjoyed them, thanks.

[@solidsnake58]

Fantastic analysis. I'll never forget the first time I saw this movie. I don't think people can appreciate how monumental it was for movie geeks. Maybe you can help me something I have never understood. Why does Cypher say "we're gonna kill him" when clearly they have no intention of killing Neo. Keep up the good work.

[@jeremybabila5814]

I think that has to do with Morpheus's apology to Neo when he says usually they don't take people out of the matrix after a certain age. Cypher probably thinks Neo is too old and will die from the process.

[@solidsnake58]

Still feels a little flimsy but probably the best explanation I've heard. Thanks!

[@GreenPlymProduction]

Later in the movie, we learn that Cypher considers reality as a form of hell, and that he thinks real life resides in the comfortable world of the Matrix. From his cynical point of view, bringing Neo out of the Matrix is murder. Another simpler explanation is that by finding Neo, Morpheus has brought the agents to Neo, leading him to a probable death in the Matrix.

[@solidsnake58]

@Elie I think your simpler explanation just made something click. Cypher doesn't believe in The One. Being a member of Morpheus's crew is already dangerous business without filling a random guys head full of stories that he's an invisible messiah. So, from Cypher's perspective they are going to kill Neo by making him believe something Cypher thinks is B.S. In fact, Cypher is right! After Neo begins to "believe" what happens? He gets killed! The only difference is that Trinity never told Cypher what the Oracle told her. It all makes sense. I thought it was just sloppy writing. Hot damn.

[@jeremybabila5814]

I like what you said there, because ya Cypher does turn out to be right technically. I think "we're going to get him killed" might have been better than "we're going to kill him", but then you lose some mystery in the opening scene so I don't know.

[@KimStephanieHabiger]

This video is brilliantly narrated, your observations and attention to detail are simply just done right though well informed knowledge combined with your obvious passion for the film making industry. Satisfying to watch.

[@poloMpolo]

I love for making this.. Im learning so much.. Matrix is so incredibly complex, infinite thanks to you

[@laurenbennett7674]

"For most of us, it's hard to imagine a time when we weren't intimately familiar with the matrix." %100 feel this statement. I've been watching this movie since I was like 6. Watching this video was a really cool thought experiment. And I showed the matrix to my friend for her first time EVER and yes she was so confused and intrigued by the first scene 😂

[@StillOnTrack]

Awesome. Great breakdown. Loved both of your Matrix vids.

[@surajbanerjee8958]

love you videos man ! keep coming back with more !!!

[@tinphan89]

Great video essay as usual! Keep up the good work Patrick!

[@EposVox]

Good stuff!!!

[@LeadershipAlliance]

Simply brilliant analysis Patrick. THANK YOU and keep up the GREAT work.

[@nils5471]

wow, sweet reflections. I had totally forgotten the brilliance of the intro of the matrix. so effective, and adding so much to the experience.

[@DubstepDinosaurs]

I know what you mean when you criticize film student mindset. I experienced it on my first day at CalArts. I regrettably told another student that I liked Titanic (it was 1998). He scolded me calling the movie "a disgrace to filmmaking". When I followed up by asking what he thought of another of my favorites, Good Will Hunting, he said "Robin Williams should stick to comedy". At that point I was befuddled so I mentioned a Spielberg movie like ET or Close Encounters, and he instantly scoffed "Spielberg is just a popcorn movie director", and with that, I distanced myself from all these Elitist film students and hung out with the ones actually passionate about creating rather than criticizing.

[@fragmentsshow8178]

E.T. has to bo one of the most beautiful representations of childhood. It´s probably my favourite movie of all time. 98% of the reviewrs from Rotten Tomatoes must be wrong, and that beloved student of yours is clearly right. Oh, dear, those critics, all corrupt and miserable, since E.T. really has no magic or quality in terms of storytelling, sentiment, metaphor, soundtrack... ... I can like Persona, from Ingmar Bergman, but that doesn´t mean there´s plenty of quality in "popcorn" movies. By the way, I bet that this student had no idea about the fact that this "popcorn" movies fill the gap of what one day was called mythology in the past. And mythology helps people find meaning in their lives, not only purely intellectual cinema for a selected ones.

[@fragmentsshow8178]

Oh! Just forgotten: the design for the E.T. is astonishing. There are scenes in which transmits more emotion than some CGI characters today. Sad to know that Spielberg fucked up the movie in 2002, and now all we have left if, precisely, an abomination 2002 not-that-high-on-budget remake for the scenes that he considered that he could "improve". Shame on you, oh Lord of Popcorn movies, Steven Spielberg.

[@chrisanderson687]

Great analysis, really enjoyed this.

[@oludascribe]

Worth the wait Patrick. Nice one.

[@ColorMeDoubleZ]

WHOA

[@martinlagman]

....WHOA

[@ziiofswe]

SCREEEAM FOR ME KZbin!!!!

[@guitarsword1]

Great breakdown Patrick.

[@neurokid1]

The Matrix is my favorite movie of all time. Thank you for this. Absolutely amazing. Subbed.

[@erikm9768]

Love this, keep these coming and you got a very loyal subscriber!

[@varunemani]

Made my day!.. And thank you, this was probably the next best thing to the movie atleast for me.

[@McMurchie]

Still one of my favourite movies of all time...for SURE!

[@paulk314]

Great video! I've always really loved The Matrix and I think it's because they did so many aspects so well. The sci-fi premise blew my 10-year-old mind when I first saw it, but I think I have continued to enjoy it in the years since because of how many other things they really nailed, such as the cinematography, the music, the character development and so on.

[@jamesivan24]

Wow! That was a really useful video essay! That gave me great ideas about how to introduce my movie better! I'd love to see whatever else you have!

[@kellyperkins4139]

excellent analysis

[@Stureuh]

Wonderful, youtube recommandations is finally starting to get it

[@hippovrhino]

Love your videos keep up the great work

[@DominicTessmer]

This was great! I really enjoyed it. Please keep talking about the Matrix! Haha.

[@gp714]

I really like what you've put together here.

[@braviafeed]

Well done Patrick!

[@victorcoyenn]

Awesome channel, awesome essays.

[@thereelremedy7295]

I love these video essays Patrick! I might start making some of my own. I couldn't agree with you more on the opening sequence getting us hooked for the awesome movie that follows!

[@stefanalexander7402]

another excellent and super educated analysis. thank you. please continue.

[@richarde.9411]

Excellent work ! Thanks

[@chrisgill4134]

Smart, learned analysis of a truly great movie. Thank you!

[@canisfabico]

Love your work man!

[@aukmandel]

Great video Patrick. Great voice too! Good work fella!

[@mikewilliams6237]

Love this Chanel, as you truly love moves and it show. Please keep up the great work :)

[@betoperocini]

Great Video! Congratulations for this work!

[@UtotCatalog]

very insightful! thank you so much!!!

[@chriscorley6478]

Very well done, sir.

[@whisperingwind7]

very good, man. keep up the good work.

[@JonathanEBoyd]

Man I got to watch Matrix again after watching this really well put together video essay

[@ptroinks]

Very good analysis!

[@DJTimSandford]

I love The Matrix and I love me some critical analysis! Thank you for making such engaging videos

[@BurgundyandBlue1111]

That opening hooked me right in. It's brilliant.

[@dbrokensoul]

Hmm, a really good point and could help me in writing the first parts of my story. I'm glad I subscribed to you.

[@denvercarlstrom8874]

Whoa, this is solid essay content.

[@mdotwills]

Loved this analysis. Whoa.

[@peterpanopoulos6241]

Love the Matrix trilogy. I would watch all videos about it. Please make more! Just "discovered" you. Can't wait to view more of your work.

[@AxelRock]

Awesome video. The Matrix has been my favorite from as far as I can remember, but I couldn't tell why. But you clearly explain it here. You even summarise it on sentence : We are more interested in his story because he has the same questions, and they answer them ALL.

[@rimbaud0000]

another great video

[@wheelerwhls]

This is awesome!

[@JeffManes123]

Wow, I just saw this while browsing. Great stuff. You've earned yourself a new subscriber, friend :)

[@bujin5455]

I'd really like for you to make as many video essays on the Matrix as you can!!!

[@bigboss370]

more Matrix videos, please!

[@registrado54]

thank you for more the matrix videos

[@ayushda]

well done. You've earned my subscription

[@ShacharDavid]

now that IS INSPIRING! Thanks!

[@MysteriousMiddleEast]

Seeing this scene at 6:08 for the first time in a cinema in 1999, was one of the rare times in my childhood that something on screen really blew me away. You knew after that shot that what you were going to be in for would be incredibly different and new, well new-ish. New-ish Coz I had already see Dark City a short time before, and both films already have the same noir look, and apparently the same film sets.

[@PramitChatterjee1993]

You keep saying people yell mean things at you on the Internet. Just point, and I'll take care of em for you.

[@patrickhwillems]

I was just kidding. People are actually very nice to me. But I'll keep the offer in mind should things change.

[@BlueGamerCast]

The intro for Logan was badass

[@beestplayer4444]

Anthony Rivera It set the tone perfectly. I remember sitting the theater and everyone in it jumped when Logan first stabbed the one Hispanic guy in the throat.

[@BlakeTedKord]

beestplayer44 Damn, lol.

[@aenguscunningham138]

Make more of them! I want to see more Matrix videos!

[@jkagkajsdftubes]

please make more matrix videos! your content is awesome :)

[@lifelonglearners9784]

Fantastic content.

[@hidelbrand7078]

keep it up dude!

[@ClickImagination]

just found your channel. what a great video. liked and a sub

[@CH1EFBL1TZ]

great video! I can watch it on the Matrix all day

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

Great series of videos. P.S. Beard is looking killer. 10/10

[@TheSwayzeTrain]

I went into an early screening of the Matrix, I didnt know anything about the film, I hadnt seen any reviews, I hadnt even seen a trailer. This opening blew me away, I wasnt expecting anything this good.

[@blacxthornE]

you say you can talk about this movies forever... could you, please? this is my favorite movie; I went into it blind (no trailers, nothing) when it came out and have since watched it about a zillion times. I still rewatch it and always get blown away by how well it's made, and unfortunately it still hasn't been matched.

[@elizabethcrespo7225]

My favorite movie since I was 8! I couldn't understand most of it, but hell I loved it.

[@seen921]

Great example of how to create a new way of introducing audiences. As it is there's too much exposition these days, and this is a great example of questions for hooks all through the story.

[@sofianeguernaoui8847]

made me want to learn more about film making !

[@350FPS]

superb!!!

[@theessayist25]

My Favorite KZbin Channel..also could you make an essay on what went wrong with the sequels?

[@Sameir8055]

Wonderful... Subscribed... Waiting for more videos. Cinema.. cinema... and more of cinema.... Cheers...!!

[@robwiggins7341]

Brilliant!

[@deranged1313]

Great content agree, wholeheartedly. I also like the opening scene of Drive (2011)...