For my two minute Opening Sequence Analysis I have chosen one of my favourite films - ‘The Matrix’. This film was released one year before I was born and for me the visual effects, which were seen as revolutionary at the time and the inventive story, still impress me.
About the film:
Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Release: 1999
Directors: Andy and Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
Synopsis:
“The Matrix depicts a dystopian future in which reality as perceived by most humans is actually a simulated reality called "the Matrix", created by sentient machines to subdue the human population, while their bodies' heat and electrical activity are used as an energy source. Computer programmer "Neo" learns this truth and is drawn into a rebellion against the machines, which involves other people who have been freed from the ‘dream world’ ” (Extracted from Wikipedia)
Analysis:
The opening two minute sequence of The Matrix can be divided into four sections:
SECTION 1: The Title Sequence.
What happens?
The title sequence of the Matrix has become iconic and uses a pattern of bright green symbols and characters similar to those found on older computer screens, falling downwards like rain over a black background to reveal the film’s title.
Next using sound only we hear a telephone conversation between a man and a woman, and whilst this is happening a message appears on screen using the same bright green lettering used for the title and it states that the telephone call is being traced.
A grid of numbers appear as if a computer is attempting to unscramble a code, trying to find out the location of the callers. The call ends and the camera slowly zooms in towards one of the numbers on screen, it keeps zooming until it goes inside the number - almost as if it is travelling into the screen itself, down a bright neon-green hallway and into darkness.
Why was it done this way?
This effect used in the title sequence resembles a complex computer program, and this firmly establishes the film’s genre as science fiction.
It is also unclear what is happening at the start of the film. Who are the people on the phone? Why would someone want to trace their call? These questions draw the viewer in to the film and at the same time the effect on screen of the camera slowly zooming in also gives the feeling that the viewer is being drawn into an interesting adventure story.
The camera continues to zoom in down a hallway-like shape made of neon-green symbols, this feels like you are moving forward and links very nicely in to the next section.
The green and dark-black colours used in the title sequence are important in establishing the tone and genre and are used in the colouring (colour grading) of the entire film from start to finish.
SECTION 2: The Police.
What happens?
After the title sequence, immediately there are multiple quick shots of policemen searching with torches through a dark abandoned apartment building at night. The tension of the film builds until the police eventually break down a door to reveal a woman dressed in black sitting on a chair next to a telephone. She has her back to the camera and does not move as the police enter the room. The police tell her to put her hands in the air, and she slowly does this. We see her face for the first time - it is a character called Trinity.
Why was it done this way?
The Mise en Scene of this section is deliberately confusing as the police are searching and we are trying to work out what is going on. The atmosphere is dark, and the use of lighting (from the torches), smoke, and fast editing between multiple shots only gives the viewer short moments where they can actually see what is happening. This helps to add to the unclearness of what or who the police are searching for.
When the police break the door down and enter the room, the torch lights all move to focus on the sitting character - this lighting technique tells us they have found what they were looking for.
The fact that Trinity remains so calm when so many police start shouting at her, and that she is not surprised by them suddenly entering the room makes us think that maybe she knew the police would be coming, and maybe she does not see them as a threat?
The leather / latext outfit that Trinity is wearing and her short gelled hair makes her look dangerous / dominant. As she raises her hands and we see her face for the first time, we know there is something special / unusual about this character? But we still do not now what it is…
SECTION 3: The Agents Arrive.
What happens?
We cross-cut to outside the apartment building where there is a lot of activity with many more policemen in uniforms and police cars with flashing lights. We see the arrival of another car and three powerful looking men get out - they are ‘The Agents’.
There is a short dialogue between the lead agent (known as Agent Smith) and the lead policeman. The policeman does not think that Trinity will be difficult to arrest but Agent Smith thinks differently.
From the moment he arrives, Agent Smith has assumed charge of the situation, the agents are clearly of a higher rank than the other police at the scene. The Agents enter the apartment.
Why was it done this way?
This section uses many different techniques to juxtapose the Police from the Agents and show a difference in status between these characters.
Firstly the car that the Agents arrive in is very different to the police cars at the scene - the Agent’s car is unmarked and does not have flashing lights.
Also, whilst the police wear standard uniforms, the three Agents are all dressed identically in smart black suits - they are wearing sunglasses even though it is night time.
The shot / reverse shot between the main agent (Agent Smith) and the lead police officer makes use of different camera heights to show the Agent always looking down on the policeman, and and policeman needing to look up at the Agent.
The narrative here between the lead policeman and the lead Agent also reinforces that fact that Agent Smith is in charge.
SECTION 4: Trinity Attacks.
What happens?
We return to the interior of the apartment. The pace of the film steps up as a policeman approaches Trinity and tries to put her in handcuffs. A fight happens, but Trinity displays a series of super-human martial arts moves as she easily eliminates multiple policemen.
Why was it done this way?
During the fight scene an incredible special effect is used. The effect is known as ‘bullet-time’ and manages to leave Trinity suspended in mid-air whilst performing a slow-motion flying kick, at the same time the camera circles around the action. Sound effects are used to enhance the effect. This special effect is so unusual, and at the time had never been seen before, it makes it feel as if the character Trinity may possess some kind of supernatural power that allows her to defy gravity?
The entire opening sequence can be viewed on YouTube here:
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