Matrix

The Matrix (1999) was a groundbreaking film that combined science fiction, conspiracy thriller conventions, and martial arts with digital techniques, becoming a box-office triumph and a statement of the American zeitgeist. Joshua Clover's study examines the film's digital effects, its hybrid entertainment, and its references to philosophy, highlighting its significance as a cultural phenomenon of the late 1990s.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Matrix (1999), helmed by the Wachowski sisters and produced by Joel Silver, emerged as a significant cinematic milestone at the turn of the millennium, capturing the essence of American society and offering a glimpse into the future of big-budget Hollywood filmmaking. Starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer programmer transformed into a messianic freedom fighter, the film seamlessly blends science fiction with conspiracy thriller conventions and breathtaking martial arts, all brought to life through groundbreaking digital techniques. Despite its commercial success, The Matrix was not merely a populist entertainment; its subtle references to highbrow contemporary philosophy added to its allure as a mystery to be unraveled. In this captivating study, Joshua Clover delves into the film's digital effects and their innovative implementation, highlighting how The Matrix represents a fusion of cinema and video games, posing a significant threat to Hollywood's dominance since the advent of television. Clover further explores the film's philosophical references, revealing how it encapsulates the cultural crisis that gripped America at the close of the 1990s.

Weight: 178g
Dimension: 134 x 191 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839022678
Edition number: 2 ed