In 1999 the Wachowski brothers, Larry and Andy, released the first installment in The Matrix series. The Wachowski brothers directed, co-produced and wrote the screenplay; Joel Silver co-produced. The movie incorporates elements of Hong Kong action cinema, Spaghetti westerns, and Japanese animation.
The Matrix presents a future where the reality humans experience is really a matrix. The Matrix itself is a simulated reality produced by sentient machines. The sentient machines utilize humans as an energy source. The main character in the movie is a computer programmer known as Neo/Thomas Anderson.
Keanu Reeves portrays Neo in the Matrix.
Will Smith turned down the role of Neo, as did
Nicolas Cage due to family obligations. Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano, Julian Arahanga, Anthony Ray Parker, Marcus Chong, Matt Doran, and Gloria Foster round out the cast.
The Matrix is known for innovative special effects such as bullet time. Bullet time lets the viewer experience a moment in slow-motion as the camera orbits the scene at normal
speed. The Matrix earned favorable reviews from critics upon its release.
