The first release of The Matrix movie

The plot revolves around a hacker named Neo, brilliantly played by Keanu Reeves, who learns the terrible truth that the real world does not really exist, it is just an illusion, and the real world has been captured and destroyed by computers long time ago. Neo is "the One", a man prophesized to save the holy city of Zion.

It is noteworthy that the movie, which labelled Reeves as a sex symbol, was originally conceived for another actor Will Smith, though the star turned down the role. In the words of Smith, he still regrets about it.

Matrix is difficult to imagine without the effect of slow-motion, called bullet-time. To create the famous scene with Neo and Trinity there were used 120 cameras that filmed the actors in a circle from different angles. Then a special program processed pictures, and the short began to move slowly and clearly. Today cinema has stepped far forward, and similar effects look a little funny and corny, but for 1999 the Matrix was a revolutionary breakthrough.

For four years, this trick has been copied, parodied and used in more than twenty movies, the most famous of them are Resident Evil, Charlie's Angels, and even kid's favourite Shrek.

The film's budget was $ 63 million, and the box office exceeded $ 170 million. In 2003 two sequels were released: Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions, but they were not successful and foundered at the box office.

In 2015, the Wachowski brothers are planning to take over the fourth part of the epic - Matrix Resurrection.