The success of “The Matrix” can be attributed to several different factors such as the plot, the acting, characters but very few take time to give credit to its visual effects. Visual effects on “The Matrix” revolutionized the entire industry by doing never-before-done crossovers between CGI and live action movies. It also changed the industry by introducing new techniques and a whole new way of doing cinematography.

Being set in a simulated world, “The Matrix” offered complete creative freedom. This means bending the laws of physics and creating actions scenes that are impossible in real life. Explosions were over the top, characters could fall down incredible distances and superhuman strength was a common theme.

The most notable visual effect that made “The Matrix” a part of cinematography history is the bullet time. Having the ability to slow time gave birth to amazing scenes. In one scene, the main character was shown to slow bullets flying at him and dodges them while leaning back almost horizontally with his knees bent and feet still on the ground. Similar scenes were used throughout the movie and some of them even showcased new camera technology to give depth to the time slowing ability of the main character.

Another important aspect part of the visual effects on “The Matrix” is the use of CGI characters. ESC Entertainment was the company that was tasked to creating complex human models to insert them in the film in order to illustrate impossible action scenes. Most of these scenes made heavy use of green screens. Real sets were used along with green screens to insert CGI models of the actors. The way ESC did it was revolutionary and far beyond what was considered possible at that time. From that moment, the technology kept on improving. the entire visual effects industry benefited by showing what is possible and why CGI in movies not only makes sense but it can create incredible cinematography and scenes that cannot be reproduced using a real set and actors.