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If we reframe the discussion a tiny bit, The Matrix is a terrible example of an original story. Its almost the exact same category as Star Wars. Classic heros
by basch 7y ago
If we reframe the discussion a tiny bit, The Matrix is a terrible example of an original story. Its almost the exact same category as Star Wars. Classic heros journey, pastiching tons of other familiar works they decided were influencial (in this case sci fi, cyberpunk, philosophy, religion, anime, hong kong action, karate..) all wrapped in a very tightly defined worldbuilding bow. These kinds of movies resonate and last precisely because of how derivative and unoriginal they are. They are giants standing on the shoulders of other giants.
None of that is intended to diminish the movie in any way.
- djsumdog 7y agoIt's not really Star Wars (which isn't quite original either; borrowed heavily from WW2 and various Sci-Fi/Fantasy blends), but more Simulation and Simulacra (I think the creators even talked about that book being one of their influences). I mean, all stories tend to follow a Hero's Journey. It's difficult to create a good/entertaining story that doesn't.
- r00fus 7y agoThat reference is the book in the movie where Neo puts his stash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6R94keJcHk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6R94keJcHk
- basch 7y agoI said it's like star wars in that they are both heavily deravitive pastiches, collages of past pop culture remixed. I defined their category as: hero journey, pastiche, over the top world building. I didn't say the matrix was derived from star wars. They are akin to each other, in that they exhibit the same properties.
- goto11 7y agoMany perceive movies from their youth as the most original, since it was the first time they met the ideas and tropes. When they see a newer films rehashing the same tropes, they consider them unoriginal, without realizing that the "original" film was also just recycled ideas.