Taking another look at The Matrix this week was quite a pleasure. It is such a great film, such a great story, such a powerful concept.
The Matrix Trailer:
In Film Structure Analysis #16 I focused on the Act 1 to Act 2 transition -- "What do we do to send our main character into the core question of the film? Wake him up. Let him choose the Red Pill."
https://hive.blog/film/@lionsuit/film-structure-analysis-16-the-matrix-act-1-transition-1999
I am returning to Act 1 in a sense, but I am more focused on the Inciting Incident of the story.
Neo Spots the White Rabbit
One could combine this moment with the following scene (Meeting Trinity) as the Inciting Incident perhaps, and I wouldn't say you're wrong, but for the time being I am considering this moment as the core kickoff story incident.
This moment pushes the story in a key way. As I and others have said before, the Inciting Incident lights the fuse for the film. Here it turns some computer glitch or hacked message into a next-level coincidence or next-level serious situation, one Neo can't ignore, one he engages and opens up to, one he steps into, the first in many steps to follow.
Theme and Motif
Along with this story structure point, the audience also gets two clear highlights on the idea of Neo potentially being a savior figure. Two unseen characters discuss if he is "The One" right from the start. Then another character straight up calls him Jesus.
The Matrix IMDb: https://imdb.com/title/tt0133093/
Both of these dialogue points flow smoothly into the story rhythm: character, theme and/or motif, and structure all well combined.
The opening of this film is so so so tight.
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