Reminiscing about the advanced visual style of the cyber science fiction revolution ``The matrix''

Bullet time inspired imitations

In addition, these visual attempts to create a different world were carried out not only by cinematographers but also by VFX. This would be ``bullet time,'' in which the subject in action becomes stationary and the camera viewpoint moves in circles to surround it.

This method was experimentally known as ``time slice'' or ``frozen time,'' but John Gaiter, the visual effects supervisor for this film, headed the special visual effects company Monex Visual Effects. It was developed from that. Numerous still cameras are placed in accordance with a pattern simulated by pre-visualization (video storyboarding), and the continuous shooting is combined with a CG background and frame interpolation is performed digitally to create shots with an accuracy that can be used in movies. I'm building it up. This can be seen in the opening scene where Trinity kicks an assassin, and Neo avoids gunfire from an agent on the roof of a building.

"The matrix" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

This series of processes was called ``Bullet Time'' and won the Visual Effects Category at the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000. It was used in subsequent movies and commercials, creating countless copycat shots. However, it is hard to say that there has ever been anything that surpassed the impact of The matrix, which served as the starting point.

It will be interesting to see how these outstanding visual elements that symbolize ``The matrix'' evolve in `` The Matrix Resurrections ,'' the latest work in the series that has been launched for the first time in 18 years. As far as I can tell from the trailer, even the somewhat lackluster technical aspects blend The Natural into the main story, and even the zero-gravity action, which feels a little outdated, never feels out of place. It really makes me realize that a style update that surpasses that of ``The matrix'' can be achieved through ``The matrix.''

``The matrix'' is currently being shown at IMAX Digital Theaters to commemorate the release of ``The Matrix Resurrections'' (in Japan, it will be shown for a limited time from December 10th to 16th, 2021). The second film in the series, `` The matrix Reloaded '' (2003), and the third movie, `` The matrix Revolutions '' (2003), have been screened in IMAX in the past, but the first film is the first such attempt. I definitely want to take this opportunity to experience it.

reference:

Christopher Probst, ASC “American Cinematographer”April 1999

Cinefex Japan Edition 23 Published by Toys Press (December 1999)

Text: Kazuo Ozaki

Film critic and writer. His main writing sites include print media such as ``Figure King'', ``Champion RED'', ``Eiga Hiho'', and ``Hokkaido'', and web media such as ``Eiga.com'' and ``The Cinema''. In addition, he has contributed many explanations and essays to theater pamphlets, movie mook books, and DVD & Blu-ray software booklets. She also formed a cinema comedian unit [Movie Gachinko Brothers] under the name "Dolly Ozaki" and appears on TV and at talk events.

Twitter: @dolly_ozaki

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