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‘MATRIX,’ ‘RINGS’ TRILOGIES COME TO A HEAD IN THE NEXT MONTH
By Steven Snyder
An exceptionally bland year at the movies is about to get a lot more exciting.
Over the next few weeks, two trilogies will release their final installments
and, in the process, create cinematic history. “The Matrix” and “Lord
of the Rings,” two of the most successful and critically-acclaimed
franchises ever made, will both come to an end in 2003, “The Matrix
Revolutions” opening next Wednesday and “Lord of the Rings: Return
of the King” opening only weeks later in December.
Both are eagerly awaited by fans of their series, are expected to be box
office blockbusters, and are generating their own variety of Oscar buzz.
Despite a year that has seen perhaps the worst slate of work in decades,
these climactic releases promise to bring an end to the 2003 movie drought.
Here is your complete guide to both the “Matrix” and “Lord
of the Rings” trilogies, and everything there is to know about their
widely-anticipated final chapters:
THE STORY Lord of the Rings “Lord of the Rings” is based on the famous novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, considered by many to be the foundation of modern-day fantasy fiction. The story is essentially a simple parable blown up to epic proportions. Frodo is a hobbit, a peaceful creature who lives a carefree existence until a ring changes his life forever. It is called the Ring of Power and within it is contained all the evil of the world. When Frodo’s friend Gandalf, a wizard, realizes what he possesses, he sends Frodo into hiding and so begins a massive chase between good and evil. Led by another wizard, the dark powers long to recapture the ring, unleash its power and enslave the world. But on the good side are Frodo and every other species on the planet, setting aside their differences and selfishness to destroy the ring once and for all. What ensue are massive battles between thousands of creatures, the fate of the world resting in the balance.
If “Lord of the Rings” is about a fight for a civilization on the brink, “The Matrix” is about a fight for a civilization which has already lost. An action/adventure/sci-fi thrill-ride, “The Matrix” movies are about a future that finds humanity imprisoned in an artificial computer program. The world now run by machines, humans are born and plugged into a computer, living day-to-day in this crafted matrix which they accept as reality. That is, except for Neo and a few select rebels who have realized the lie, have unplugged themselves from the computer and now fight to free the remainder of the world. The premise behind “The Matrix” questions reality, and what we all accept without a second thought. And, since the rules of the matrix can be altered by both the agents of the machines and by the rebels who make their way back into the program, the stage is set for fantastic action sequences that could never take place in a realistic work. |
THE FILMS: Lord of the Rings “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring” opened
December, 2001. The Matrix “The Matrix” opened
March, 1999. |
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BEHIND THE SCENES
In adapting Tolkien’s character-oriented novels for the big screen, writer/director Peter Jackson chose to highlight the work’s action side, making the films more about a greater quest than about those bearing the ring. He also refused to condense this complex material into one film, instead convincing distributor New Line to finance an ambitious three-in-one project. Jackson and company spent more than a year in New Zealand, filming all three films at once, saving quite a bit of money in the process. Now, more than three years later, “Return of the King” is poised to cap off one of the most monumental filmmaking efforts of all time. New Line’s gamble, to put it simply, paid off.
“The Matrix” was one of the biggest surprises of 1999 – both in terms of financials and audience response. It was one of the year’s most profitable films and has become a cult hit for younger viewers. A sequel was all but assured when writers/directors Andy and Larry Wachowski convinced Warner Brothers to finance two at once. Even more surprising, both films were scheduled as 2003 releases, separated by less than six months, the idea being that they would serve as a tribute to the serials of the cinema’s past. “The Matrix Reloaded” was another smash success, surpassing its predecessor at the box office and ending with only the ominous “To Be Concluded…” to pacify its fans until the series concludes next Wednesday. |
AWARDS “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring:” Won Academy Awards for cinematography, visual effects, makeup and original score. Also nominated for best picture, supporting actor, director, art direction, costume design, editing, screenplay, song and sound. “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:” Won Academy Awards for best visual effects and sound editing. Also nominated for best picture, art direction, editing and sound. “Return of the King” is considered by many to be the trilogy’s best chance at winning Oscar gold.
Won Academy Awards for best visual effects, editing, sound and sound effects editing. “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions” will be competing this year against each other, as well as “Lord of the Rings,” for most of the 2003 technical Oscars. |
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BUZZ ABOUT THE FINAL INSTALLMENT
All year director Peter Jackson and company have been reshooting some scenes in preparation for the release of “Return of the King.” According to numerous trade publications, their focus has not only been getting the final film of this trilogy just right, but also in injecting additional character-driven moments to make “King” a viable Oscars contender. “Lord of the Rings” films have been nominated for best picture two previous times, but many columnists have pointed out that the Academy would have an opportunity later to reward the films and director. Well, that time is now, and the “Lord of the Rings” team has been working hard to bring home the Oscar gold.
While both “The Matrix” and “The Matrix Reloaded” were stories of action heroes who voyage inside a computer program to fight for the fate of humanity, “The Matrix Revolutions” appears to be something far different. The boundaries between the computer world and the real world are now blurred, and early previews show a strange partnership between the hero, Neo, and a machine which appears to be in control of the matrix. “Revolutions” also has the look of a movie without limits, going for broke as its various stories and plot lines merge into a final climax between man and machine. As with the previous “Matrix” films, very little is known specifically about the story. |
WHAT MAKES THESE TRILOGIES GREAT – ONE SENTENCE
An adventure unlike any Hollywood has ever achieved – exotic new lands, intriguing new species, epic battles to awe the eye and moral struggles to awe the mind.
A most remarkable fusion of pop philosophy, cutting-edge special effects and science-fiction posits, resulting in action films with more than their share of creativity and intelligence
HOW TO PREPAPRE
Starting in early December, the special editions of “Fellowship” and “Two Towers” will appear in theaters in preparation for the third release. Fans eagerly awaiting the final chapter should go and see these films again on the big screen, and buy tickets for the film’s midnight opening on the 17th. (http://www.lordoftherings.net/) [TRAILER]
For fans of the films, as well as newcomers, there is only one thing to ease the pain of waiting. Go the www.whatisthematrix.com, and watch the trailer for “Revolutions.” From this lengthy preview, the size, scope, philosophy and creativity of this final installment are on display for all to see. |
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