![Everything Is a Remix: THE MATRIX – Procrastinate on This [BEST OF FaN]](http://fierceandnerdy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/matrix.jpg)
Everything Is a Remix: THE MATRIX – Procrastinate on This [BEST OF FaN]
I think at a time when our bestselling novel is FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY, it’s a great idea to examine what all has influenced some of our favorite blockbusters.
This is all over the web, but just in case you haven’t seen it yet, basically THE MATRIX was influenced by a lot of other really good movies. I’m not hating. I say, if you’re going to rip off — rip off the great stuff. Same goes for drinking.
Everything Is A Remix: THE MATRIX from robgwilson.com on Vimeo.
I have been telling my friends and acquaintances for years now that the best storytelling in cinema has been happening in Asia (Korea, China, Japan and Vietnam). I think this is proof. Essentially, this is the Wachowski bros homage to all asian cinema and 50’s-60’s Sci-Fi (it’s golden era IMHO). To anyone interested, look for movies with (early Jackie Chan (Drunken Master), early Jet Li(Black Mask), Stephen Chow(Shoalin Soccer), Andy Lau, Donnie Yen (Ip Man in particular), Chow Yun Fat (I could go on forever, there’s too much to choose from).
I’m waiting for the Wachowski’s to do some kind of movie similar in style to this one again, it was truly groundbreaking at the time, even if (and especially because) it did use all of the major movie tropes available. Thanx for posting this, it’s cool to see it. Now to research the Drinking Remix!
I often lament and cheer the rise of structure over here for that very reason, Seen. On one hand I rarely get bored watching an American action film, but on the other it’s easier to execute fresh ideas if you’re not under the stranglehold of structure. So while a few Asian action films have bored me, they’ve also inspired me.
I think the thing that I respond to most is the “wow, I’ve never seen that before” reactions I get when I watch Asian cinema (and now Scandinavian cinema is coming into their own as well). The Wachowski’s captured that, and I left The Matrix saying to Amy, “That is the best movie I’ve seen in the last ten years”, and now I know why. I understand the whole “structure” argument, and feel for the more creative directors who are constrained by studio execs who impinge on their art.
It’s funny, b/c first you get the “Wow!” then the American studios buy the fight choreographers and the directors and we lose the wow (ex. John Woo’s American movies, Ang Lee’s HULK). Wonder what’s happening in between.