And visual and thematic motifs that should seem heavy-handed but somehow just glide past behind all the action (Distorted mirrors! Distorted mirrors everywhere!

And visual and thematic motifs that should seem heavy-handed but somehow just glide past behind all the action (Distorted mirrors! Distorted mirrors everywhere!) Arguably bullet-time was another form of visual distortion. Remember how in the 5 years after the Matrix, bullet-time seemed like it was used fucking everywhere? Movies, video games, TV commercials? This was back when convincing special effects were still thin on the ground, so bullet-time had quite the impact the first time everyone saw it. Also, in my opinion the social metaphor of The Matrix has become more relevant over time. For 90's sci-fi, it has aged like wine.