THE MATRIX – TRAILER ANALYSIS THE MATRIX – DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI The Matrix is a 1999 science-fiction action film written and directed by The Wachowski Brothers. It draws influences from various mythology and phiosophy, including Buddhism. Set in a dystopian future, the reality that most humans perceive is actually a simulated reality known as The Matrix; created by sentient macines to subdue the human population.

NARRATIVE CHARACTER TYPES: PROTAGONIST: NEO ANTAGONIST: AGENT SMITH DISPATCHER / HELPER / DONOR: MORPHEUS DONOR/PRINCESS: TRINITY

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE: 1. EQUILIBRIUM The scene is set, and normal life is represented in the opening scenes of the trailer. 2. DISRUPTION The disruption of equilibrium is shown, in this case Morpheus makes Neo aware of the existence of The Matrix; ‘the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth’. The dystopia is explained. 3. HINT AT RESTORATION Showing the actual restoration would ruin the movie, so instead it is only hinted at. Neo has been trained up by Morpheus to fight the agents, and displays abilities that have been used to describe the agents (eg dodging bullets), this suggesting that he is ready to bring them down. Although the trailer loosely supports Todorov’s narrative structure, an interesting point to note is that the equilibrium may be considered a negative one (a world in which humans have been fooled into thinking is real) and the disruption is an arguably positive one (Morpheus gearing up Neo to stop the agents). To mix up the conventions of narratives is very common in postmodern films.

CAMERA / MISE-EN-SCENE Arguably the most recognisable and important feature of The Matrix’s camerawork was the introduction of ‘bullet time’. This is done by multiple cameras being placed around the subject, and the editing to shift between each camera in a circle or a chain, normally in slow motion. A key feature of the mise-en-scene in The Matrix is the clothing; long leather trenchcoats, small black sunglasses and PVC body suits are all quite odd, and very recognisable as something from the film. They help support the realism of the film being set in the future. Another key feature of the mise-en-scene is the strong repeated use of the colour green. This helps create an image for the film, making it more memorable and recognisable.

EDITING The use of slow motion helps emphasize some of the action in the trailer, and also shows off the special effects. Special effects are used throughout the film; this helps support the idea of the dystopian, warped reality of The Matrix. The camera cuts seem to come in three phases which loosely match the narrative structure. The start of the trailer has shots which fade into each other. This then changes into fades to black between shots, until finally fast solid cuts are used.

SOUND NON-DIEGETIC: There are multiple non-diegetic sounds, such as crashes throughout the trailer. These are used to represent the unsettling feeling that the dystopia of the film suggests. However the main non-diegetic element is the music. MUSIC The music in this trailer changes to represent different parts of the narrative: The soft harp playing over female choirs to represent the dystopian equilibrium at the beginning. The electronic, faster song with staccato strings over them when Morpheus makes Neo aware of The Matrix; the disruption. And the louder, electric guitar based ending, showing Neo fighting agents and hinting at a restoration. DIEGETIC: There is no narrator in this trailer; however there are title inserts between the opening shots to establish the world. Morpheus acts as close to the narrator after this point, via explaining things to Neo. There are various unsettling sounds including explosions, gunshots and thunder.