There is no spoon

It was back in the good old days. When we were in college. My good friend Neil came to me and spoke to me 'about this movie which is causing many ripples, and not many are getting it, man'. This epochal event took place more than half my life ago and I do not remember the first viewing, shamefully. Maybe it is like how you do not remember when and how you met your best friends, even if you think hard. But I do know the profundity and influence this has had on me over the years. This day marks 15 years since the release of this movie. In an age bereft of substance I choose to pay tribute to this gem that changed everything.

The beginning

There was a time when I fed and lived only off chunks of trivia from the movie. A very generous portion of my computer's hard drive was devoted to 'the matrix philosophy' and pictures from the movie. Things had crossed the point of obsession, when everything I said/wrote/thought had tributes and references to it. It is another matter that my close friends did not harm me for this :) Morpheus' timeless words and prophecies manifested themselves at various situations and places, at work and in personal life. Im still learning new stuff about the movie.

There is no spoon

The most beautiful thing is the tributes and references to a million things in this movie. Right from names, room numbers and the time in the clock, nothing is 'random'. Everything has its own significance and existence, for a reason. And then there are the references to philosophies, religions and religious texts which shower us with a wealth of information branching out from each scene and dialogue. So, total trivia fest there.

The casting, could not have been more perfect, in my opinion. It is as if Keanu Reeves, Lawrence Fishburne ,Carrie - Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving have been their respective characters forever and everything is so convincing, there is no moment when you doubt otherwise. Neo, as the person who is 'awakening, realising the truth and beginning to believe' is top class, I cannot imagine anyone else for this role.

Believing.

 Morpheus as captain is devastatingly convincing, the true leader and visionary. His words and authority are the guiding light. We hinge around all words by the great man.

Do you know? 

 And trinity is by far one of the best female characters for me. Most kickass and badass! Her 'no nonsense', 'I'll kick your ass' look underlie the gravity of the plot and the seriousness of their objective.

Dodge this.

 And there is no character more finely enacted as Agent Smith's menacing, measured poise thrills us.The dialogue delivery, voice modulation and synchronous movement with the other agents are chillingly precise. These things elevate the already sky - high style factor by a few thousand notches. He is the epitome of 'cool'

Crafted perfection

The entire portion of the movie in the matrix has a green tint, in line with the theme and mood of the movie. The detailing is mind blowing, everything has been thought out and nothing is left to chance or overlooked.

The movie was also groundbreaking in its use of bullet time and in spite of the time and evolution, it is still the coolest thing to see.

Gravity-defying. 

I must have seen it so many times that I've lost count. And the movie looks just as spectacular and spine chilling as it did, during the first viewing. With each viewing there is something more to savour and some detail that you have missed. The voice in your head precedes the happenings on screen but still the anticipation is too intense.

Here's to great cinema and many more viewings!

*I do not own any of these images. All pictures courtesy their respective owners*