But it wasn't just the action. Young audiences, in particular, embraced the movie for its rebellious attitude and questioning of authority.
"It spoke to a computer-raised, digital-affected generation about they way they experienced the world," said Sturken. "When we talk about post-modern culture, where information technology is so integrated into our lives, a lot of it is about the sense of unreality. That narrative has a lot of power."
Here was an action movie naïve enough to delve into an array of spiritual, political and philosophical questions. The battles were easily identified: death vs. resurrection, the material world vs. the spiritual world, reality vs. perception.
Answers seemed more difficult to nail down. In Internet chat rooms, fans debated the possibility that maybe we're all living in a matrix. Academics pointed to French 17th-century philosopher René Descartes, who coined the phrase "I think, therefore I am," and whose theories of existential doubt fuel The Matrix.
Books about its meaning popped up. Soon, there was even public discourse about the public discourse—what did the debate mean? Through it all, the movie's enigmatic directors, Andy and Larry Wachowski, remained tight-lipped.
The Beginning of the End
What was never in doubt was the sequels. When The Matrix Reloaded opened this spring, it made (U.S.) $135.8 million in its first five days of U.S. release, easily the best-ever opening for an R-rated movie.
But the reviews were negative. More importantly, the fans were unimpressed. The problem was apparent: what once was ultra-hip had gone stale.
"When the great scene in The Matrix is turned into a parody in [the animated Disney movie] Shrek, it's time to move on," said Sturken.
The Matrix Revolutions is surely the final nail in the coffin. Long gone are the philosophical underpinnings that made the first film so enjoyable. Left is a numbing, two-hour-long visual effects extravaganza devoid of any recognizable story line.
When the lights went up after a preview screening in Hollywood last week, one fan could be heard muttering, "What a shame."
Establishing the DVD
So what kind of legacy will The Matrix leave?
Its high-wire acrobatics and mind-blowing special effects have had an undeniable impact on action movies, from big-budget fare to Hong Kong martial arts flicks. The success of the movies has also opened new doors for the science fiction genre, which was long considered moribund.
Perhaps most importantly, The Matrix may have established the DVD as a viable medium. The Matrix DVD was enormously popular. A lot of people bought their DVD players because they wanted to see the movie over and over again. The DVD went on to become the fastest-selling electronic device ever.
What about its legacy as a cultural phenomenon?
"No," said Sturken. "It's expired."
Fickle times indeed.
