Summary

• The Matrix's high-concept sci-fi and action scenes still hold up, but aspects like Morpheus' actions raise moral questions.
• The CGI and iconic bullet time sequences in The Matrix have aged, revealing flaws compared to modern blockbusters.
• Cypher's plot, the Machine's flawed plan, and missed character opportunities show The Matrix was a missed potential masterpiece.

Although The Matrix remains a seminal moment in sci-fi movie history, a rewatch 25 years after its release reveals that some aspects of the movie hold up better than others. At its core, the Wachowskis' mind-bending thriller is still an iconic elevated action movie, boasting scenes and storylines that put many modern blockbusters to shame. And yet, for all its many strengths, certain moments prove that no movie – however influential – is perfect.

The Matrix's success stems from its inspired marriage of high-concept sci-fi and spectacular action. Built around the premise that the world is actually an illusion, the film follows the journey of programmer sinister villain Agent Smith. This story sets up some of the most spectacular and innovative action sequences and moments in movie history. However, despite these highlights, The Matrix isn't entirely flawless.

10 Morpheus And His Crew Really Are A Danger To Humanity

Before Morpheus is properly introduced to Neo and the audience, Agent Smith describes the Nebuchadnezzar's captain as a "terrorist" and "possibly the most dangerous man alive". Given Smith's role as the primary antagonist and Morpheus' mission to free humanity, it's easy to dismiss this exchange as Machine propaganda. The truth, however, is that for all his good intentions, Morpheus and his crew really are a threat to humanity.

...despite painting himself as a soldier for humanity, Morpheus spends much of the movie murdering his fellow humans.

Given that every human in the Matrix is plugged in, injuries they sustain in the simulation also affect their bodies in the real world. Although it's part of a bigger battle, Morpheus and the team therefore kill dozens of different people throughout the movie, gunning them down with little regard for their role as pawns for the Machines. ittedly, every one of them is potentially an Agent, thanks to the Matrix's possession laws. Nevertheless, despite painting himself as a soldier for humanity, Morpheus spends much of the movie murdering his fellow humans.

9 The Matrix's CGI Hasn't Aged Well

On release in 1999, The Matrix's visual effects were rightly praised as ground-breaking. However, 25 years on from its release, some of the movie's biggest VFX shots now seem somewhat disappointing compared to modern blockbusters. The most egregious offenders are scenes like the helicopter crash, where the building's windows warp unrealistically. What makes these moments feel more egregious is that the film's practical effects, such as in the lobby fight sequence, still look incredible – highlighting shortcomings in other areas.

8 Bullet Time Isn't As Cool As It Used To Be

Continuing the trend of disappointing effects, The Matrix's signature fight scene – Neo's bullet time sequence – does not look as impressive as it once did. Although some of the visuals are deliberately stylized, the trails left by the bullets and Neo's frantic arm flailing now seem a little underwhelming compared to when the scene was first screened. The bullet time sequences still form a distinctive part of The Matrix's iconic aesthetic. Despite this, however, there are aspects of the effect that don't feel quite as groundbreaking as they used to.

7 Cypher's Villain Story Doesn't Make Sense

Although Hugo Weaving steals the show as the psychotic Agent Smith, Joe Pantoliano's turn as Cypher gives The Matrix another great ing villain. However, despite Pantoliano's performance, Cypher's in-story plot doesn't make much sense on reflection. The main problem is how his initial meeting with Smith at the steak restaurant was supposed to take place, given that plugging himself in with no assistance seems impossible. Furthermore, given his demand to " nothing", he has absolutely no way of keeping Smith to his word. His story certainly adds jeopardy, but falls apart under scrutiny.

6 The Machine World Has Some Major Problems

One of The Matrix's most shocking moments comes when Neo is woken up from his induced coma and finds himself in the "real" world of the Machines. It's a simultaneously terrifying and awe-inspiring sequence that instantly lays out the stakes of the movie. However, it also has some serious problems. For starters, given that he has spent his life in complete suspended animation, it doesn't make sense that he would be able to instantly move and examine his surroundings. Furthermore, there's an unresolved issue around why the spider-like Machine simply doesn't kill him (and every other revived human) as they wake up.

5 Humanity's Survival Plan Was Always Going To Fail

Morpheus explains to Neo that, in the great war against AI, humanity's failed strategy was to "scorch the sky", depriving the Machines of their solar power source. From the outset, however, this plan would appear to have some major problems. For instance, while the Machines may have relied on the sun, so too does every other living thing on Earth. Extinguishing its light would therefore have been just as catastrophic for the humans as it was for the Machines. Additionally, given all the other forms of energy available on Earth, believing that the Machines would be immediately stopped without the sun seems optimistic at best.

4 The Sequels Wasted Some Great Characters

There are many disappointing aspects of The Matrix sequels. One that becomes immediately obvious from an original movie rewatch, however, is that replacing Tank after he seems to survive was a bad decision. As an operator, he conducts himself with a roguish energy that makes him instantly relatable – far more so than Harold Perrineau's Link in The Matrix Reloaded. While Apoc, Dozer, and Switch were all underdeveloped, not including more of Tank in subsequent Matrix movies was a major missed opportunity.

3 The Machine's Matrix Plan Makes No Sense

The Matrix's central conceit of a simulated reality is undoubtedly an ingenious plot device. However, after scratching away at the surface, it becomes clear that there are problems with the Machine's plan to exercise control. One issue is how obvious the simulation appears to be. The presence of the Agents, who in and out of bodies at will, would seem to be an instant red flag to anyone paying attention. Furthermore, it's not entirely clear why the Machines would even need a Matrix at all – with humanity already subdued in their pods with no prospect of escape, creating a shared artificial reality feels like overkill.

2 Was Cypher Kind Of... Right?

Cypher's betrayal of the Nebuchadnezzar crew is shocking and infuriating. Yet, upon reflection, his plan is not totally without merit. As he rightly points out, life in the real world is fairly miserable, with no proper food, dank conditions, and a constant scrap for survival. In the Matrix, by contrast, there is a kind of freedom available with the possibility to live a genuinely enjoyable life – albeit an artificial one. It may not sit comfortably with The Matrix's core idea of freedom and liberation, but there's no denying that Cypher makes a few uncomfortably pertinent points.

1 The Matrix Is One Of The Biggest Wasted Opportunities In Movie History

Despite some flaws, the major takeaway from a Matrix rewatch is that it remains a phenomenal sci-fi movie. Its intricate and morally complex premise makes it genuinely thought-provoking, as well as hugely entertaining. All this makes the film's forgettable sequels all the more disappointing. In ending with a tantalizing glimpse of Neo's flight, The Matrix laid the groundwork for what could have been one of the all-time great movie series. As it is, The Matrix movies leave a legacy of one incredible original and three wasted opportunities.