The above near-5-minute clip from The Matrix has Neo (Keanu Reeves) Kung Fu sparring with Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), and it is awesome. This follows after Neo downloads how to do Kung Fu, of course.
‘I know Kung Fu,’ he says after the download in what has become one of the movie’s iconic quotes.
You can watch the video clip for it above. Just click the play button at the left of the above feature image.
The scene culminates in a full-blown fight sequence, with Neo and Morpheus trading blows and showing off some pretty impressive martial arts skills. The action is fast-paced and exciting, with wirework and acrobatics adding to the spectacle. Both Reeves and Fishburne underwent months of intense martial arts training to prepare for the scene, and it shows.
Legendary Hong Kong action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping created the fight choreography for the scene.
Influencing Other Movies
It’s not an understatement to say that The Matrix changed the face of modern cinema. Directed by the Wachowskis, this 1999 sci-fi thriller is a visually stunning, action-packed masterpiece that challenges the audience’s perception of reality.
It is a film that has influenced countless other movies, TV shows, and video games, and it continues to captivate audiences over 20 years after its release.
The Matrix is a story about the nature of reality and the power of the human mind. Neo, is a hacker who discovers that the world he knows is a simulation created by machines to keep humans enslaved.
Neo joins a rebellion led by Morpheus, who believes that Neo is the prophesied “One” who can save humanity from the machines. Along with the skilled fighter Trinity, Neo must use his newfound abilities to fight back against the machines and free humanity from their grip.
What sets The Matrix apart from other sci-fi movies is its groundbreaking visual style. The Wachowskis created a world that is both gritty and sleek, with a distinctive green-tinted color palette that became iconic.
Hong Kong Action
The film’s action sequences, choreographed by Yuen, are some of the most thrilling and innovative ever put on screen. The famous “bullet time” effect, which slows down time to show characters dodging bullets, has been imitated in countless other movies and TV shows.
Intelligence and Style
But The Matrix is not just a visual feast—it’s also a film with depth and complexity. The film’s themes of free will, destiny, and the relationship between humans and technology are explored with intelligence and nuance.
The film’s use of religious and philosophical imagery adds another layer of meaning to the story.
The Matrix also has a fantastic ensemble. Reeves, in one of his most iconic roles, brings a quiet intensity to Neo. Fishburne is a commanding presence as Morpheus, and Carrie-Anne Moss is a force to be reckoned with as Trinity. The supporting cast, including Weaving as the villainous Smith, is equally strong.
At the Box Office
The Matrix was a box office success, grossing over $460 million worldwide. It was a surprise hit upon its release in 1999. Its popularity grew in the following years, leading to two moderately successful sequels, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions. The success of The Matrix franchise also spawned video games, comic books, and other merchandise.
The most recent Matrix movie The Matrix Resurrections, was released in 2021, over 18 years after the previous installment in the franchise. It received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. While some praised the film’s return to the themes and ideas of the original movie, others criticized its plot and pacing. The film was also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected its box office performance.
But as one fan said in the comment section about this recent film and the above Kung Fu scene: “5 seconds of this fight are better than the entire Matrix: Resurrections movie.”
