The Matrix Narrative and Genre Overview

Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction

Set: Future world - unknown

Our protaganist Neo lives two lives, in the daytime he is a computer programmer and at night he is a hacker. He finds himseld targetted by the authorities and is contacted by Morpheus, an infamous computer hacker branded a terrorist. Morpheus shows Neo the real world: a wasteland where machines live off human's energy and imprison their minds into the Matrix. Neo, Morpheus and the rest of his team fight the computer programmed agents for the freedom of the human race.

Protaganist - Neo

Neo is the consciousness we follow throughout the film. We are placed on his side as an audience because we are told about the injustice that abuses the human race. His role to guide the audience is effective because, like us, he knows nothing about the true reality of his world until the narrative begins, therefore building our trust.
His all black costume is common of protagonists in action adventure films. However his costume is not conventional modern day wear, therefore reinforcing the idea that the plot exists within another world.

    

Antaganists - The Agents

The presentation of the agents in exactly the same clothing, manner and appearance allows us as an audience to dismiss their roles as characters we could sympathise with. Their dress conforms to the stereotypical audience perception of CIA dress from the 1960s onwards. This is then directly juxtaposed with Neo's costume, which in comparison seems less official, and more 'cool'.

How the film conforms to it's genre:
The protagonist is a male character
He develops a love interest in a female character
Contains futuristic technology
Is set at least partly within a city
Contains extended action sequences
Uses computer animation
Set in the future
Different political or social system to ours
A problem the protagonist must overcome
Conflict with technology
Plays with illusions of the real world

'The Matrix' title, typography and anchorage

'Matrix' is defined at dictionary.com as the place at which something else develops or is contained. This perfectly describes the setting in which the narrative is created. There are two worlds, one which is contained inside another.
The typography of the title depicts the science fiction element of the film, with the letters using a design effect making them seem blurry and connected with each other. The colours used are white, black and green. The green theme is used throughout the Matrix films but is uncommon within the genre.

The Matrix Website Deconstruction

The Matrix’s website exists as a mini film site on the official Warner Bros website. It contains the official US poster, theatrical trailer, fan rating, synopsis, photos, cast, downloads and a link to buy the film. The trailer is presented in the middle of the page, and users can browse and select photos which will replace the video in the display window. The user is able to rate the film next to the trailer text, which then effects the ‘Rate Title’ beneath the video. They can also see the release date and below this the film title. Three tabs display the options ‘Synopsis’, ‘Cast’ and ‘Downloads’. The cast list displays only the main characters, and it possible to download three different designs of poster. The ‘Buy Now’ link leads to the ‘WBShop’ where users can buy all of the Matrix films. Along the right hand side of the film users can browse titles of the same genre, year and cast members.

The site uses the colours grey, black, and blue which appeals to the action genre of the film. White text is used on a black background in order to make the text clearer. Blue is used in some aspects of the design, for example a border, to highlight the starring actor’s name and within the rating system. This creates a contrast which has independent effects dependent of where it is used, for example it makes Keanu Reeves more important than other actors. The whole design of the site has a modern technological feel to it, with moving ‘flash’ navigation bars, the dynamic features and the colour theme. These are conventional aspects of big budget action/science fiction movies. Lastly, the ‘Warner Bros’ logo in the top left corner of the page identifies the production company who made the film.


Visit the web page

Matrix Poster Deconstruction

The Matrix’s UK poster displays the qualities of its genre and is similar to the trailer in the way it suggests at the narrative, however it is much more subtle.

The colours used in the poster are blue, black and white. These darker colours assign themselves to the action/science fiction genre as it makes it seem like the plot line will be heavier. The white text contrasts against the darker colours of the background, making all the text clearer to read. Interestingly, the protagonist wears a bolder black than the other characters, which makes him stand out according to his role.

The costume also suggests at the genre of the film. The characters all wear dark colours, and all but the protagonist wear leather clothes. This makes the film seem increasingly other worldly, and also makes the characters appear dangerous. Both the protagonist and female character to his right hold guns, which applies to the action genre.  Most of the characters also wear sunglasses, which creates a sense of mystery.

The actor’s names read across the top of the poster. Keanu Reeves, protagonist and highest paid actor, is first, followed by Laurence Fishburne. The title of the movie, ‘The Matrix’ is below the characters, in the centre of the poster. The typography of the title is broken and has connotations of technology. All the text is in capitals, but the other text is not as broken, but still has the suggestion of a technological world.

The set out of the poster helps build intrigue about the narrative. The female character is separated physically from the other characters by the protagonist. It is interesting that there is even a gap between the protagonist and the female character, perhaps relating to their initial relationship within the film. All the characters look right out of the poster, making the poster more intense. They are not hidden by the text in any way, which makes them appear more strong and bold.

The tag line used in the poster ‘ON MARCH 31^ST THE FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE BEGINS’ differs from that used in the trailer. The release date is specific and the use of alliteration highlights the idea behind the tag line. The genre is realised, it is clearly an action adventure film, and it involves the audience in the way that it seems like our future is at risk. The cast and crew list, a staple in movie posters, is smaller than all other text but still legible. 

Matrix Trailer Deconstruction

The Matrix Teaser Trailer begins with the name of the production companies who made it. In this case, Village Roadshow Pictures and Warner Bros Pictures. Trailers often begin with the names of the companies who create the film as it is an important factor in the type of film it will be. The name of a familiar company will attract a certain audience. It is also interesting to note how the typography is presented: the juxtaposition of black and blue creates a sense of mystery and adheres to the genre of the film.

 The shots within this film are presented in order to illustrate danger and power. For example, the birds eye shot of a person jumping between two high storey buildings. There is also a constant reiteration of the same shot of several television screens, which either flash up combinations of letters or mirror the shots before or after them with the television effect.

Another important part of this trailer is the introduction of what we assume is the protagonist of the film. A close up of Keanu Reeves is exactly the kind of shot we could use to display our protagonist.

 The science fiction element of the film is shown through shots such as of the fake mirror. We see the character putting their fingers through the mirror and then a close up of their confused face. This creates an idea of mystery which is always present throughout the trailer.

 Another character is presented in the trailer through a long shot which changes to a close up. He is presented as solemn and frightening. The low key lighting used throughout the trailer is particularly effective here, as the darkness adds to the intrigue and foreboding.

This is an example of when a shot is mirrored within the televisions.  It suggests that there are two worlds within the plot and illustrates a science fiction/technological theme. Once again danger is presented in this shot.

Another major character is presented to the audience, but the length of the shot is shorter so we can assume she is not as important as a character or perhaps actor compared to the others. She is holding two guns, emphasising danger once more.

 The shots continue to be fast paced which gives the trailer an energy which epitomises the conventions of the genre.

These shots relate to our initial idea as an army is used. It suggests that there are two sides, the ‘rebels’ and the ruling ‘government’ and that they clash violently.

 Another shot of the female character is used. By interspersing shots of all the main characters, the trailer makes the audience wonder at the relationship between them all.

 This shot effectively uses depth of field to highlight the paranormal power of this character, and the subsequent unimportance of the army characters.

 The highest billed actor who acts as the protagonist is introduced first. The same typography is used as before, adding to continuity of the genre. The text is followed by a shot of the actor in action to identify him. This is also done for the other male character, but notably not the female character.

 Silence is used for around two seconds to create tension and is interrupted by gunshot noise.  The film is clearly an action film. Once again this shot is mirrored in the television screens.

The title of the film and the tag line ‘the Matrix has you’ is portrayed in a similar typography to the other text. The tag line itself creates intrigue and involves the audience heavily.

This trailer deconstruction was written by a member of the group who hadn’t seen the film in order for it to be unbiased to the plot. We thought this was important because the main idea of the trailer is to create a sense of mystery. There are no spoilers to the narrative, only suggestions to what might happen through intriguing imagery. It pulls you in and compels you to see the movie but gives nothing away, which is why this trailer is so effective.