Analysis of the opening scenes of "The Matrix" (1999 - Andy and Lana Wachowski)

Watched to 3:35

Camera

·         Extreme Close-Up of policeman’s face, showing that he is slightly bored, with his gun up at his head, ready for action. Point Of View shot of the door being kicked down, shows the police’s power in that instance. Tilt up of Trinity’s face, showing absolute calm, shows that she is going to be powerful in this film. When Agents are confronting policeman, the policeman is low in the frame and they are high, showing that they have more power over him, even though he’s acting cocky. Through Trinity’s arm, you see the policeman coming towards her, and she is very large in the frame, and he’s tiny, which suggests that even though she looks defensive, she really has the upper hand. Bird’s eye view of Trinity after she has just beaten up all the policemen showing how much destruction she can cause

Editing

·         Shows “Matrix Code” with the title coming into it, shows that the film will have technology.  Fast straight cuts to create a quickened pace.

Sound

·         Action type music, the type that you hear before a fight, which shows that this film is going to be very action based. Talking over the phone with computer screens showing, shows that they are mysterious figures to be worked out later on.

Mise-en-scene

·         Street filled with police cars, shows that the scene is chaotic. When Agents step out, their body language is confident, they hold themselves up high, but the policeman bows his head and tries to look away, showing that he is weak to them.