Fun fact: the pod that Neo wakes up in almost gave Keanu hypothermia because the gel in it was too efficient at transferring heat.

A funny detail in John Wick: Fishburne has a line where he says "Mr. Wick doesn't remember but we met many years ago, before my ascension". It was clearly a play on their time on "The Matrix".

"This is what it feels like when you mod a game." This. Neo is basically a cheat code.

"As a kid, I was terrified of hackers." Can we unpack this? ❤😂

Nah. This isn't Baby Keanu. Let's wait until you get to Bill & Ted.

The first half of this movie is like a horror movie the first time you watch it.

I love how “Neo" is the word “One" rearranged.

The best subtle joke is when the Oracle gives (downloads) Neo cookies.

Some don't like the sequels, but parts 2 and 3 are amazing and add so much more to the universe. Definitely see them!

I'll never forget how mind-blowing this movie was to watch in theaters. I saw it with my mom and it was the only thing we could talk about for a month afterwards. I still can't believe a local film critic called it "colored lights and nonsense."

Holy shit, the way you got the vase and its relation to “being the one” thing nailed first try 👏🏽

This is one of those movies that you watch and it changes all other movies Also the “No” at the end is RIDICULOUSLY cold

Smith is talking like an AI that is absolutely disgusted by and hates everything about humanity. He's so sick of it all and I just think it's hilarious how the idea of humanity drove this one AI so insane he broke his own programming.

The Matrix is the genesis of the "Me and the Bad Bitch i pulled by being autistic on the internet" meme. Trinity is the best and that "Dodge This" is Iconic. Nobody is killing Trinity's Golden Retriever BF, not even an Agent. Also - I love how the only reason Neo survived and became the Cyberpunk messiah, is because Trinity loved him.

Sense 8 was a masterpiece series as well. Rewatch it with even more joy next time through.

Your reactions are so good. Makes me remember my excitement watching this for the first time.

The timing of "I hope there's not an infiltrator" is superb. 31:45

"This is what it feels like when you mod a game" 'Don't think you are, know you are' is a cheat code and 'There is no spoon' is god-mode

I remember the first time I watched this. After it was over, I remember sitting back and having an existential crisis. “What is real?” is a line that sticks with me. What do I perceive and what do I believe? The movie is truly special if it forces you out of your comfort zone as this one does. Powerful, impressive, awesome and damned entertaining. Glad you got so much out of it and enjoyed it.

Switch was originally supposed to change gender whenever they entered the Matrix. So let's say they present male inside, and female outside. But WB blocked the concept because they thought it would be "too confusing" for the audience 🙄

Fun fact: Keanu’s relatively stiff motion in this movie is because he had to have spinal surgery immediately after training but before filming. They had to change the entire shooting schedule to front load all the talking scenes and give him time to recover. That scene on the rooftop where Neo quad kicks the two guards was the first action shot he filmed to show that he was recovered enough to do the rest of the film.

Meg would love V for Vendetta. Such a great movie as well!

The Animatrix, and Reloaded + Revolutions are worth checking out too, absolutely. I also like Resurrections (there are pretty mixed reactions to that one, more than the other sequels), but it's not necessarily needed

red pill = knowing the truth

Dunno if you knew this, but Carrie-Ann Moss also voiced Aria T'Loak in Mass Effect

The Illithid Spaceships in BG3 predate this film by almost ten years. The ships first appeared in a boxed set for Advanced Dungeons and Dragons called Spelljammer in 1989.

I absolutely adore your views on this. A great movie, enhanced by your breakdown of the different aspects of it and the cosy vibe you bring.

Said it before but it's still true - though some of the elements were familiar to East Asian viewers, in Western cinema at least there really is a distinct line between before and after "The Matrix", it was _that_ influential (it's also the movie that launched a million black leather trench coats :). (and i'd say "The Animatrix" is well worth a watch BTW, 9 animated short films featuring other stories set in the Matrix universe)

This was the best reaction of the Matrix I've ever seen, and in the end, you finding out about the wachowski sisters was so amazing and wormed my heart. Sense8 is my favorite show that Netflix made and become such a colt classic that the fans ended up getting Netflix after canceling it to bring it back for one more season to tie up the story Lana Wachowski is one of my favorite people.

I really think you'd love V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is one of my top 10 movies of all time. You, your reaction to it, would be amazing.

Most epic fight from the first movie about to start. Meg: I wanna power wash that subway.

The behind-the-scenes low-down: - Keanu, Carrie-Anne, Lawrence, and Hugo were all in training for several months with Hong Kong martial arts fights legend Yuen Woo-Ping and his wireworking team so that they all could do the majority of their own stunts. This is indeed why The Matrix films and the John Wick films are so good, we see the actors in the thick of the action. As they made the films before they transitioned, the Wachowskis both spoke very much the way Hugo speaks as Agent Smith. Hugo is basically imitating the two siblings' speech patterns. They no longer speak that way. - Keanu's stunt double for certain scenes, like in the train station where Neo falls into the newsstand, was Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick films. Stahelski would be the stunt coordinator for the rest of the original trilogy, and has a small role in the fourth Matrix movie, Matrix Resurrections. - The film won Oscars for Film Editing, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, and Sound Editing. The costume designer for the film had a very original dress for the Oscars that year...look it up, It's not only original but funny! - Before he could take the role, The Wachowskis made Keanu read three books: Introducing Evolutionary Psychology, Out Of Control by Kevin Kelly, and Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard (which is the book Neo keeps his computer discs and money as a hacker). There is a box set of DVDs where they included 2 commentary tracks, one version where film critics who hated the films explained why they hate them, the other (which I love) is by two amazing thinkers who adore the films, Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber, which these two explain in philosophical terms what everything means in the films. College courses have been developed about and based around the films. They get even deeper, delving into comparative religious ideas and thoughts (Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen, Cbristianity, and others). - PLEASE watch the next films...The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Matrix Resurrections. The next two were filmed at the same time and came out within a year of each other, the third was filmed and released in 2021 (it was directed by Lana only, Lilly didn't participate in it). Personally, I love all of the films. And the main trilogy as ONE film, beginning, middle and ending. The fourth being a very good epilogue and point for where the story could continue for anyone brave enough to try.

fun fact: first movie idea, was not to farm humans for energy, like they said in the movie, but farm them and use their brains for computing power, but they thought normal people would not get that concept, so they changed it...

lol I also find this movie weirdly emotional now. it totally embodies that feeling of finding yourself and your place in the world, especially politcally. watching this movie as a kid almost made it a part of me, it's so good to watch someone resonate with every part of it!!!

Funny thing is, neither Neo (nor many reactors) catch that The Oracle never told Neo he was not the one. She said something like 'you know what I'm going to say', and Neo replies "that I'm not the one" then she says 'Sorry kid. You got the gift but it looks like you're waiting for something.' I'm paraphrasing from memory, but that's pretty close. She never said he wasn't the one. She was basically saying 'it's up to you'.

This movie is amazing. 1999 was the *very* early days of internet in peoples homes and it was just an unknown.... this movie hit the tone. Also spot on with the "red pill" thing, its literaly a movie created by 2 trans women, that involves taking a pill to become free and the "real you"... i mean come on! :D

If you notice any pop culture references in this movie, it wasn't a reference here, this movie started it. The Matrix had a much, much bigger impact on entertainment media and culture as a whole than a lot of people realize. A masterpiece of it's time and still a masterpiece today

Ive never noticed before but the audio transition towards the start where the club music turns into the alarm clock is exactly how it feels when your alarm goes off while you're dreaming, you hear it but its somehow just part of the dream then you slowly realize its your alarm and jump awake

@3:21 "Am I an agent?" - waaaay quicker than I was.

This movie was so Revolutionary back in 1999.

the Editing is freaking insane! 😁

You jamming to Rage makes it even better at the end. Tom Morello is amazing!

25 years ago. Super-monumental. The Wachowskis' 3rd film following Assassins (1995) & Bound (1996). Blending together all the things that nobody would think could be done in a movie, all at the same time. Obviously it's a established universe before we know it's origins. But the ideas of reality, science and philosophy metaphorically define what it means to live in it. It's made in a way that's not too complicated to understand it, yet it does trigger some kind of need to study. Among Keanu Reeves' most iconic films out of the 1990s. Veteran actor Laurence Fishburne (no longer Larry) as Morpheus is like the best mentor. Carrie-Anne Moss was a model turned actress and mostly known for tv, as Trinity she totally shined as the next new action heroine. Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith is one of the best villains ever. Everything that went into this movie is unprecedented. One-liners, constant jewels of knowledge, action sequences, wardrobe, special effects and all are part of the cultural vocab (Free Your Mind, Dodge This, What Is The Matrix?, Whoa!, etc). For 1999, it won 4 Oscars out of many awards, had the highest opening weekend, the highest grossing Rated-R film and the first DVD to sell more than a million copies. If your going further down the rabbit hole, watch The AniMATRIX (anime short films) first and then The 2003 sequels.

being able to watch a media literate leftist queer content creator just warms my heart every time i get to see your videos. so many conservatives adore this film and the trans allegory goes RIGHT over their head, to the point of denying the trans identities of the directors. enjoyed every minute of this, Meg!

The internet is the first part of the matrix. it has already begun. Always on the computer, always on our phones. We are already plugged in. Pretty amazing this was conceptualized in the 90s at the very birth of the internet.

I am always dumbfounded by reactors that look at Keanu in this movie and say he's a baby. He was well established by then. Before this he was in Bill &Ted's Excellent Adventure, Point Break, Speed, and before those he was in other films.

Check out Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”-a massive influence on this film. A friend of mine described this film after she saw it as “Plato with guns.”

31:07 “This is *so* Baldur’s Gate” Omg I’m so glad you see it too, I think the same thing x3

“You killed Switch! During Pride Month!?!?” 😂😂😂 Happy Pride month everyone 🩵💚💙💜🧡❤️🖤💛🩷🤍🤎

My favorite movie of all time. It actually inspired me to take up filmmaking classes in college.

Another awesome MegMage production thank you.🐾🐕🐾

Yeah the franchise is pretty much an allegory for being transgender The wachowski brothers are now the wachowski sisters because they are both transgender so I find it ironic that conservatives latch onto this movie

Everything about this movie was so mindblowing in 1999 that it set a new paradigm for cinema.

I remember the summer of 1999. Everyone was so hyped for “The Phantom Menace” that year, but the real big sci-fi movie of that year was this film. It was such a great experience watching it when it first came out. Most mainstream viewers never saw anything like it - a cyberpunk film that really opens your mind to all kinds of possibilities. My aunt was the one who recommended watching this movie when it came out, and it was so awesome watching it with my brother at the time. I also remember how this movie absolutely dominated the technical categories at the Academy Awards the following year. It was a complete but welcome surprise, and this film absolutely deserved all the accolades in its effects. So many films owe a huge debt to “The Matrix” even to this day. 😊

I haven't heard anyone actually conceptualize this thought out loud, but if you look closely, the blocking (where the actors are standing/moving within the camera shot) is 1,000% just anime. This is "Ghost in the Shell" or "Akira" in live action. Watch the movie again with the idea that every shot is composed like an anime. Changes the entire experience!

Love that you show such a huge chunk of the scenes! That way it feels like im literally watching the movie over again. I hate when reaction channels skip too many scenes.

After watching this sooo many times, I think I just had the realization that "Pop" probably means "Pass-out and puke". My mind is blown

Fun fact: The names of the Agents in this movie are Smith, Brown, and Jones. In the sequels, there are new Agents, named Jackson, Johnson, and Thompson. 38:10 Right! She literally spells it out for him during her speech. No one can tell you you're in love (or The One), you just know. He was waiting for something, his next life maybe. When Neo began to believe--not necessarily that he's The One, but in himself--he began to unlock that potential. Maybe he didn't believe he was The One until, well, his next life. But like Morpheus said, he was the one who had to walk through that door.

Glad you're reacting to the Matrix. One of my favorite movies.

Seeing this movie before Lord of the Rings kind of ruined Elrond for me because I kept thinking of him speaking as Agent Smith saying “You must destroy the ring… Mr. Anderson”

lol illithids/mindflayers was first mentioned back in 1975 so they got some years on the matrix :)

The Matrix is a lot of things. One, as per a direct interview from Lana W. is that the film is a trans story. Another thing it is, is a criticism of capitalism. This is made quite apparent in the initial Morpheus monologue when he and Neo meet. It's basically stated almost explicitly in the form of a metaphor when Morpheus says that The Matrix was created to turn a human being into a battery. What has been consistently all over our tvs in commercials, on daytime talk shows, and in literal countless articles since the creation of the internet? Well of course, its how to be more productive at work, how to be a more productive worker, how to be a more efficient worker, how to make your employees more productive, etcetera etcetera. Then it is actually explicitly stated when Agent Smith calls humans a virus and a disease of the planet, that uses up and destroys all resources in one area and then moves to another, whereas the rest of nature reaches a natural equilibrium with its surroundings. It is obvious, as per the endless pieces of evidence we have from history that before capitalism, human society maintained quite an equilibrium with the natural world. I also love that you brought up the hypocrisy of the conservative movement that highjacked the whole "red pill" concept and used it to start advocating people act in ways that actually continue to propagate the matrix, or capitalism. People like Andrew Tate telling people they escape the matrix by getting rich, buying expensive stuff, making both men and women fawn over them, when that's exactly how the matrix wants you to act. Lastly i must say, i am rather profoundly shocked that you hadnt seen this! 😆

Meg: "were not supposed to cry at the matrix". Me: just wait for the sequels. Lol.

You so have to react to the Animatrix now fr fr, you'll absolutely love it. Awesome and super fun reaction btw, kudos.

Glad you enjoyed this movie. Imagine watching it without any framework of simulation theory existing in pop culture. What a mind fuck it was for us back in the day.

I have to say, I'm a Brazilian guy, a big BIG FAN of this movie, it's my favorite one so far. I watched kind about 13 FTR videos like this, and yours was the best. The edition, the timing, your sense of humor, just the best!❤ Congrats for this job, and, for sure, I'll watch some more of your videos. New sub here! 🎉🎉🎉

V for Vendetta is a must see. Thanks for the info about the Wachowskis - I knew the basics, but not all of it, so now I'm looking for more info.

Your reaction has made me subscribe! I watched this movie when I was 13, you wouldn't believe the hype around this movie. The trailer didn't give away anything, strangers were asking each other 'What is the Matrix?' Also, the directors were very progressive for their time. Switch was supposed to be one gender in the real world, and another in the Matrix - showcasing that who we are on the outside isn't always who we are on the inside

Bit o' trivia I think you'll appreciate...Lily Wachowski described Switch, “a character who would be a man in the real world and then a woman in the Matrix," as representative of where her and her sister’s “headspaces were”.Didn't quite make it into the film. You have a humanity and insight about you that gives me hope in this world. Truly inspiring and I wanted to thank you. One of the most wonderful minds I have ever witnessed. You are across the board cool. Pure cool. Salud☮

I only just started, but I'm impressed with your commentary! You picked up on "the informant" at the beginning of the movie, which turns out to be Cypher, you picked up on Neo's boss being a dual of Agent Smith, and you picked up on the green tint. The Matrix is tinted green to represent green computer code, and the real world is tinted blue. The entire first scene is Cypher's making, since he is the informant. Trinity even asks him if he's sure the line is clean. You also knew that Morpheus was the god of dreams. The reason why Switch pulls a gun on Neo at the Adam's Street Bridge is to ensure that he doesn't transform into an agent. If his body started morphing into an agent, then Switch would've had to shoot him. This is the same reason why Agent Smith said, "No, Lieutenant. Your men are already dead." at the beginning of the film. He knew Trinity already killed them because none of the officers transformed into agents. You just predicted that The Oracle is a computer program! The Oracle is a computer program who feeds you cookies to install software inside of you. 45:35 "Swiiitch! During Pride Month!" Switch was originally supposed to be female in the Matrix but biologically male in the real world. Both of the Wachowskis are trans, and this entire movie is a trans allegory with the red pill representing red hormone pills in the 90's.

Yep your right. NEO IS LITERALLY THE Ultimate MODDER

Love your editor man. so funny!

Thanks for sharing your reaction, Meg! This was great to re-experience with you~ It'd be great to watch the rest of the series with you if you're up for it! The Animatrix comes next in release order, followed by Reloaded and Revelations which were shot together and released in the same year. The 4th movie (Resurrections) tends to be fairly divisive among the fans but based on your post-reaction discussion of this film, I think you'd love it.

Fun fact ÷ Jackie Mason was originally cast as Neo.

Meg should also watch the Animatrix. Especially the Second Renaissance.

"This is what it feels like when you mod a game" - Perfect summation of the end.

Yeahh. The part with Neo's Mouth being removed, and the belly button bug...that disturbed me too the first time I saw this.

I *never* made the connection that Reagan wanted to be both an important person and an actor… holy shit. Maybe he assumes some of the Machines’ power will trickle down to him.

I watch a lot of reactors. How I've not come across yours yet is a ponderance that the gods are still debating. Loved your reaction, commentary, and editing. You deserve more followers. Here, have another one :)

Definitely recommend V for Vendetta, one of my favorites to watch on a certain day of the year.

It’s funny that The Oracle is giving out cookies, in the Matrix, like how websites have cookies.

"Why is she looking at me? Am I an Agent?" Funny you should ask that question... I love that you realized the inherent hypocrisy of people who unironically use the terms "redpilled" and "the matrix" while completely ignoring the fact they were created/popularized by a pair of trans women who created this world and story to express themselves and their journey artistically. Makes me smile every time one of those idiots use those terms.

I was in 5th grade when my dad took me to see this in theaters. Everyone isn't being hyperbolic when we say it completely blew our minds and changed the game.

It always cracks me up when reactors say something like "and it's baby so-n-so". Like, yeah no. You want baby so-n-so, you gotta go back another 20-25 years. In the case of Mr Reeves, that would mean to the gems of Youngblood and Parenthood. Matrix Keanu? This is "Oh, he's a man man now" Keanu. 🤷‍♀️

14:02 - 14:18 LMAO 😂😂😂 Also pause 14:18... would've been the perfect thumbnail 😂🤣🤣

Neo = One - His name is a scramble word for One. The One

re: V for Vendetta, I recommend reading the book first. the Wachowski sisters changed a lot and made the story's theme more liberal vs. conservative as opposed to anarchist vs. fascist like in the book, which pissed off the author, Alan Moore. Not saying not to watch it at all, just that it's better to see what the original author intended first imho.

Coming out of the pod, I always think of the Simpsons ref: "super fun happy slide!"

PLEASE WATCH BOUND 🙏 YOUR GOING TO LOVE IT! Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon is in it. Also, Joe Pantoliano, who plays Cypher, is in it. 🙏🙏🙏

Something hit different about answering or hanging up flip phones. I fear it will be a thing lost to time that kids will no longer get to experience.

Speaking of metal gear, don’t know if you’ve played them but imho some of the greatest games I’ve ever played, the most groundbreaking gameplay, some of the best plot twists, and most progressive beliefs and messages especially for the time, if someone told me the wachowskies played metal gear solid first and got inspired to create the matrix I’d believe you

Hmm, what other story talks about the Trinity, self-sacrifice, reincarnation of the chosen one? Pretty famous book.

Defiantly watch the next 3.. love it if you could record it .. but realise its a lot of work. loved your reaction to this movie , and would love to watch you watch the next ones as well.

You should watch the Animatrix next

Girl, you need to watch Sense8. If you haven't already.

Your editing additions are everything 😂

I've never met Keanu personally, but he seems like the type of "celebrity" that I would love to meet, would make me feel comfortable rather than star-struck, and would have a real conversation making a real connection, even if for just the brief moment of a meet and greet. Everything I've heard about him being a "regular guy", riding the subway, being generally unassuming and kind, all makes Keanu the celebrity I'd most like to invite to dinner.

I'm glad someone finally took proper note of the cinematography.

The One was killed by the rulers of the world, but the Trinity's love resurrected him with power to defeat them and save humanity. Notice that whenever Neo says, "Jesus," around Trinity, she answers him. People respond to The Matrix because it really is the greatest Story ever told.