Top 20 Best Moments From The Matrix Trilogy
#20: The Woman in Red
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“The Matrix” (1999) In this scene that starts with an infectious trip hop beat, Morpheus takes Neo into the Matrix...or so Neo believes. He quickly realizes that the crowded city street is actually a training program, after a beguiling woman in a red dress transforms into a deadly Agent. It’s at this point that Morpheus explains the purpose of the simulation … In this pivotal moment, we grasp how scary the freed humans situation really is, because anyone could be a threat. Also, Neo begins to understand the huge expectations that are placed on him as the potential savior of humankind ... Ulp! Well, that’s nerve-racking!!! Our favorite part of the scene is this exchange, since it foreshadows a certain acrobatic moment later on that we all know and love.
#19: The Zion Party
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“The Matrix Reloaded” (2003) Okay, hear us out! We know that some people weren't crazy about this scene, where the last human city dances ahead of their possible impending doom. But here’s why we included it. First, there’s Morpheus’ rousing speech. Then, there’s the music, a hypnotic track that kind of makes us want to join this sweaty groove-fest. And of course, there’s the love scene between Trinity and Neo that’s interspersed throughout. After all the fighting these two have to do, it’s nice to see more of their vulnerable sides. They share a tender moment after Neo has another vision of Trinity’s death. This entire sequence lets us get up close and personal with the people of Zion, reminding us of what our heroes are really trying to save.
#18: The Battle for Zion
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“The Matrix Revolutions” (2003) We all knew this battle was coming, and we were not disappointed. In the third and final “Matrix” installment, when the machines get word of where the remaining humans of the real world are hiding out, they attack. But the humans are ready... with a little help from their giant mech suits! What follows is a battle of epic proportions, with Sentinels falling to the ground, humans getting killed, and lots of blood and carnage. The dingy setting of Zion helps add to the dreary mood of the battle, and the battle itself is one we will not forget any time soon.
#17: Dinner With Cypher
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“The Matrix” (1999) Cypher, Cypher, Cypher. We should have known from your name that you’d be hiding things, since a “cypher” means a secret code. Speaking of code, this scene takes place at a swanky restaurant in the Matrix, where ol’ Cypher meets Agent Smith. While enjoying a steak, the duplicitous Neb crewmember reveals his plan to betray Morpheus to the machines in exchange for being reinserted into the Matrix. Apparently, some people prefer a fantasy world to the truth. In a subtly funny “meta” moment, he tells Smith his terms … [“And I want to be rich. You know, someone important. Like an actor.”] (We see you, Joe Pantoliano.) Cypher’s selfish actions lead to the capture of Morpheus, and he kills multiple crewmates, so it’s extra-satisfying when Tank gives him his just deserts.
#16: Showdown at Club Hel
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“The Matrix Revolutions” (2003) We all know that Trinity’s a badass, so any scene where she gets to kick butt is a great scene. This one is no exception. First, she shows off her moves in the Club Hel coat check, when she, Morpheus and Seraph fight their way through upside-down enemies. Then, when the trio confront the Merovingian to get Neo back, she cuts through his chatter with her no-nonsense attitude. She attacks his guards, catches a falling gun, and points it at his head. Then there are lots of guns. Despite the violence, this is an oddly touching moment, because Trinity and Neo are in love, and they’re both willing to fight for each other.
#15: Neo Meets Trinity (Yes, THE Trinity)
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“The Matrix” (1999) At this point in the film, neither Neo nor the audience has any idea what “The Matrix” is, giving the early scenes a major air of mystery. After getting a cryptic message telling him to make like Alice, Neo accepts a tattooed woman’s invitation to a nightclub. There, he’s approached by a beautiful stranger. She introduces herself as Trinity, swiftly shutting down his assumption that the renowned hacker was male, before warning him that he’s in danger. She knows all about Neo’s question, and she drops tantalizing bread crumbs about the answer. This scene stands out because it sends our curiosity into overdrive. It’s also mysterious and sexy, with just a hint of wry humour, and it sets up one of the most important relationships in the franchise.
#14: The Final Showdown
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“The Matrix Revolutions” (2003) Neo promised Smith that it would “end tonight,” and boy, did he deliver. In this final fight, Neo and the Agent battle for control of the Matrix and the free world, and what a battle it is! Filled with epic moments and extravagant displays of action, this scene definitely meets expectations. The fight has it all, from martial arts combat at the beginning, to a Superman-style air fight, and even mass destruction in the form of the crater in the road. It’s a special effects extravaganza, and one that ends the action part of the series on a high. And who can forget those Hugo Weavings… ALL those Hugo Weavings…
#13: The Interrogation
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“The Matrix” (1999) When Agents show up at Neo’s office, Morpheus tries in vain to help him escape. After he’s apprehended, Smith, played to creepy perfection by Hugo Weaving, questions him while Agents Brown and Jones look on. We learn that, by day, Neo is an unassuming programmer going by Thomas A. Anderson. The Agents offer to overlook his cybercrimes if he helps them catch Morpheus, and Neo’s “smart aleck” response is priceless …As funny as that moment is, things quickly take a dark turn when Neo’s mouth fuses shut, and the Agents leave him with a horrific parting gift. This scene increases our suspense about what the heck is actually going on, and keeps us questioning what is real.
#12: Neo Meets the Oracle
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“The Matrix” (1999) After finding out the truth about bending spoons, Neo meets the Oracle in this charming scene to discover what his future holds, and to find out whether or not he is the fabled One. Unfortunately for him, the news is not so great. The moment is unforgettable due to the cozy atmosphere of the Oracle’s kitchen, and how starkly it contrasts with the news that Neo is not The One and that either he or Morpheus will die. Gloria Foster plays the role to perfection, with her soothing voice and grandmotherly persona, as evidenced by her freshly baked goods and the children she keeps in her apartment.
#11: The Construct
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“The Matrix” (1999) We considered the iconic “blue or red pill” moment, but decided on this scene instead. It’s basically “part two” of the pill scene, because Morpheus stops with the cryptic appetizers and finally serves up the main course. He confirms that he and Neo are in a computer program, and discusses the nature of reality. Then, from the same leather chair where he gave Neo a life-changing choice, he drops a bombshell: Neo’s world is nothing more than an AI-built computer simulation. Mind...blown. It’s easy to forget how pivotal this moment is, because the film came out in 1999, so for most of us, this reveal is nothing new. But at the time, our jaws were on the floor, and we were freaking out almost as much as Neo!
#10: The Burly Brawl
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“The Matrix Reloaded” (2003) Wondering how this fight got its nickname? During production, The Matrix sequels were codenamed “The Burly Man”, a reference to the Coen Brothers’ 1991 film “Barton Fink”. The brawl features Neo battling with copies of Agent Smith after the latter tries to assimilate him. Determined to win, Smith even takes over another Agent, and sends dozens more clones into the fray. The Smiths were created using body doubles and digital effects, and the sheer number of them is both terrifying and exhilarating. Everything about this scene gets the blood pumping, from the stirring musical score to Neo’s incredible displays of strength. His abilities have clearly leveled up since the first film, and he shows us yet again why he is The One.
#9: The Chateau Fight
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“The Matrix Reloaded” (2003) When Neo battles the Merovingian’s henchmen at the latter’s fancy chateau, we’re treated to over three minutes of nearly non-stop action delight! They alternate between fighting on the ground and on the massive staircase, smashing statues as they go. The walls are conveniently stocked with weapons, including the sai, a sword, and even a trident. Our favorite part is this absolutely majestic shot of Neo and two opponents doing various mid-air acrobatics while one runs sideways along the wall. Pure spectacle! And even the sound effects are on point. Featuring tons of martial arts, wirework, and slow-motion stunts set to an electronic soundtrack, it’s everything we love about “The Matrix” franchise packed into one sensational scene.
#8: Neo Takes Flight
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“The Matrix” (1999) Now this is an epic ending! It begins with a call that’s being traced by the machines, bringing things full circle by mimicking the opening scene. Only this time, it’s Neo on the line, and he’s the one in control. After warning humanity’s technological overlords that their time has come, he steps out of a phone booth onto a busy street, ready to show the world the truth. We dig his cool shades and subtle smirk, but the best part of this scene is the incredibly fitting song choice. Neo rockets up into the sky to “Wake Up” by rock band Rage Against the Machine. It’s utterly perfect, and it still gets us hyped up every time we see and hear it.
#7: The Freeway Chase
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“The Matrix Reloaded” (2003) When Morpheus’s group rescues the Keymaker, they must make a hasty retreat, and they do it in the only way the filmmakers behind “The Matrix” know how: featuring some stunning scenes, like Trinity riding down the freeway in the wrong direction and Morpheus’s fight atop a moving truck, this chase has violence, slow motion, and explosions galore! This scene was so intricate that the producers built a 1.5 mile freeway on an old, decommissioned runway to allow them to shoot everything to their imagination’s content, and give us one hell of an action scene in the process.
#6: The Subway Fight
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“The Matrix” (1999) This is when we really see Neo coming into his own. When confronted by Agent Smith, Neo doesn’t run. Instead, he turns to face him in battle and begins to realize his true potential. It’s a stunning moment, but what follows is even better. The fight is probably the most brutal in the series, with Smith punching through concrete and making Neo spit up blood. The brutality of the scene, coupled with some amazing choreography and the famous slow motion gun battle in mid-air, make the subway battle an absolute must for this list.
#5: “I Know Kung Fu”
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"The Matrix” (1999) In this scene, Neo has just recently been programmed with the knowledge of kung fu, and mentor Morpheus wants to test him. The Eastern style of fighting proved to be hugely influential to Hollywood in subsequent action films, such as “Charlie’s Angels”. Featuring terrific stunts such as Morpheus jumping impossibly high into the air, Neo running up the beam, and ending with Neo moving equally and impossibly fast, the twosome’s time in the dojo doesn’t only work as a teaser for things to come, but is also a great scene by itself.
#4: The Opening
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“The Matrix” (1999) This is the moment that kicked off the whole franchise, in which Trinity is on the run from both cops and Agents. This scene is memorable because it introduces the audience to many aspects that would make “The Matrix” famous, including the stop-time kick to the cop, her running on the walls, and Trinity and the Agent jumping across an impossibly large gap between two buildings. As the cop says, “That’s impossible.” We think so too, but, as it stands so far in the film, we haven’t seen anything yet!
#3: The Lobby Shootout
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“The Matrix” (1999) In what would become one of the most famous and parodied shootouts in cinema, Neo and Trinity begin their quest to save Morpheus from the Agents. In the lobby of the building, they have a shootout with security guards and SWAT, and the result is mesmerizing. With state of the art camera work, we watch as the pair shoots in slow motion, does cartwheels while shooting, and runs up walls to dodge being shot at. It was unlike anything seen in an action movie before and became wildly popular and influential. Oh, and by the way, except for the removing of the wirework, no CGI was used in the filming of the scene. Impressive much? We think so!
#2: Neo Becomes “The One”
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“The Matrix” (1999) In this striking scene, Neo rises from the dead and becomes the prophesized One, able to free the humans and defeat the machines once and for all. What makes this moment work so well is a combination of many aspects, including Trinity’s declaration of love, the swelling music, and the breathtaking sight of Neo stopping the bullets in their tracks simply by raising his hand. The fact that he goes on to defeat Smith one-handed is just icing on the cake. It’s a beautiful ending and beginning all in one. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Neo is “Born” in the Real World, “The Matrix” (1999) We Bet This Wasn’t Exactly What He Was Expecting When He Took the Red Pill... Morpheus vs. Agent Smith, “The Matrix” (1999) This Brutal Bathroom Brawl Ends With Morpheus Being Captured by Smith’s Goons. Neo vs. Seraph, “The Matrix Reloaded” (2003) As Seraph, Martial Artist Collin Chou Puts Keanu Reeves’ Neo Through His Paces. Morpheus vs. The Twins, “The Matrix Reloaded” (2003) It’s Double Trouble For a Sword-Brandishing Morpheus in This Brief-Yet-Badass Fight. Agent Smith Tries to Break Morpheus, “The Matrix” (1999) Smith Doesn’t Mince Words, and Seems Like He’s Been Eagerly Awaiting This Moment.
#1: Bullet Time
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“The Matrix” (1999) Ah yes, this is truly the series’ most defining moment. When confronted with an Agent, Neo tries what he can and ends up dodging bullets, allowing Trinity to shoot the man in black and save their lives. The scene is famous for the 360-degree camera work, the slow motion sound effects, and Neo’s move itself, creating one of the most memorable scenes in cinema. When audiences saw this in 1999, they saw the future of the entertainment industry, as the scene was endlessly copied and parodied thereafter, further cementing its worth and influence in movie history forever. There was certainly no dodging this!
