Textual Analysis of the Matrix Opening Scene

Textual Analysis of The Matrix Opening Scene

Throughout 'The Matrix’ opening scene elements can be noted upon. One word to which I would describe the scene as being would be exhilarating. With the combination of the four elements, it is considered as visually striking to the audience. Within this analysis I will be informing you on the soundtrack, editing, mise-en-scène and camera work and how they combine to create this astounding spectacle. I will begin the analysis touching upon Mise-En-Scène and the lay out of the opening scene.

Mise-En-Scène

As the opening scene unravels you are introduced to a stream of green coding symbols filling the screen. The symbols eventually form the title of the film ‘The Matrix’ and use a fade transition to exit.

The audience is once again reintroduced with the green lettering, as well as, a voice over between a man and woman. Viewers are given understanding of the scene before the action has taken place. The coding numbers emphasizes the overall theme of the movie to the audience.

The scene is cut to an extreme close up of a police officer holding a torch. Focus pull is then used to take the attention off the officer onto the following beams of light which follow him. This tells the audience there is more than one police officer. The policemen then begin walking down the cramped, dark corridor with the possession of guns. You can recognise dangling wires and the confined space they are positioned in.

The policemen surround the door and nod, the eerie music increases the tension of the scene. The policemen kicks down the door with a POV shot of the doors perspective. The policemen swarm the single woman demanding her to place her hands on her head, however, she remains calm and collected through this panicked situation. She raises her hands, preparing for the action that’ll take 

place.

Trinity plays the role of a strong, attractive woman who can surpass any sign of danger. She’s a woman who makes the correct choices in difficult situations and from what we can tell the heroine of the film. The audience may also be in favour for her to beat ‘evil’ as she is the under-dog. The confined space resembles the fact that she’s trapped by the agents and the sense of danger has been upgraded.

A cross cut takes place and you can see two agents confronting the policemen. Dialogue takes place and the policemen discover they shouldn’t of had underestimated her. Sure enough, the pinnacle of the scene occurs and the audience are left on the edge of their seat. The mood is tense and the audience are eager to discover the outcome of the chase. The audience refuses that the policemen (bad) will win, and are rooting for Trinity (good) to be triumphant.

Camera Work

Different types of camera work in an action/adventure film is essential to achieve a sense of excitement and to distinguish good/evil. Camera work within this opening scene is used and I will be running through the camera work that is striking to the audience. For example a POV shot. 

A POV shot is normally used for the audience to become fully immersed with the film, and in this case a POV shot of the door takes place. The policeman walks up to the door and kicks it down with force revealing Trinity in her hideaway. The effect of the POV shot is violence, this shot adds to the violence of kicking it down.

The second shot in which I can recognize is the crane shot of the agents arriving in their car. This crane shot makes the men appear more powerful and intimidating. From this, the audience portray the agents as a threat to Trinity as the angle sets them as being conquering and dominant.

The third shot is an extreme close up of Trinity’s face as the police approach her. This impacts the audience as we recognize that she is preparing for action.

Fourthly, the ‘Bullet Time’ photography. This camera work appeals to the audience as finally they are given a sense of action. Trinity’s aerial kick is so majestic that time has to be slowed down to really appreciate it. From this kick, we are introduced to her super-human powers and how bold she is.

Soundtrack

Orchestral music and the simplest of sound effects can be heard, and they both combine to create the scene increasingly visually pleasing. With any other action/adventure film the music builds up during a scene to imply action and suspense, The Matrix is no different. In the fourth minute exactly, this happens. During the chase scene sequence the music is fast and relentless until it reaches its climax. As trinity leaps the audience are caught on the edge of their seat. The chase reinforces her super-human abilities and the excitement of the opening scene.

An example of a sound effect which helps to create a ‘believable world’ are the police radios and cars. The audience already know that there is police, so these sound effects reinforce this.

Not only music, but dialogue could be noticed between the agents and policemen. One of the agents say to the ‘Lieutenant’:

“No Lieutenant, your men are already dead.”

This tells the audience that Trinity is deadly and can defeat the policemen who are inside the building. The agents have experience of chasing her and, therefore, suspense is created.

Quieter, less recognisable sounds throughout the opening clip can be heard for example guns being cocked and the subtle sounds of footsteps. These sounds urge the audience to listen carefully and this adds onto the overall tension.

Editing

The editing in the fight scene is very fast paced, however, whilst Trinity remained inside the pace of the editing was slower and a sense of tension was being built. Another example of this is the Agents. The Agent’s conversation reflects their calmness, and confidence. Whereas the faster paced editing of Trinity’s fight reflects energy and danger.

A cross cutting technique can also be seen inside the hotel to the agents arriving outside. Suspense is being built as the audience know what is going on between the two locations and are worried for Trinity.