Messiah's Arrival

Subact 3 (pages 117-128; The End): Tank sees on the radar that the Sentinels are coming for the hovercraft. Yet they cannot use the EMP weapon against the Sentinels until Neo is out, as all of the hovercraft's systems must be turned off. Neo grabs a cell phone from a pedestrian, and calls Tank, who refers him to a phone in a hotel. Three pages of pursuit ensue (pp. 119-121) as Tank directs Neo down streets and alleys. The Sentinels attack the hovercraft, and begin to laser-burn through its hull (p. 122). Neo rushes down a hotel hallway, seeking the right room. He yanks open the door, and is faced with Agent Smith, who blows him away with his .45.

The imminent arrival of the Sentinels is a third-act device often referred to as "the ticking bomb." It specifies a finite, short time limit for the main character to reach their goal -- or all is lost.

Neo has now been "killed." Onboard the hovercraft, his monitors flatline. Trinity tells Neo that the Oracle said she'd fall in love with the man who would be the One. Neo "resurrects," and faces the Agents. They fire at Neo, but he stops the bullets midair. At that moment, Neo sees the Matrix as it really is -- rushing streams of computer code.

Neo's inner and outer goals have merged at the climax as he simultaneously fulfills them both; he knows the final Truth (that the Matrix is illusory -- thus the bullets aren't real and he wasn't really killed), which allows him to become the One. And now:

Neo easily defeats Agent Smith by disappearing into his body and exploding it from the inside out. Neo dives for the ringing phone, his "exit," and answers it just before Morpheus hits the EMP, defeating the Sentinels. Trinity kisses Neo. Final scene: Neo makes a phone call, knowing the machines are listening. His final words are, "I've decided to make a few changes."

Enlightened ones, like Zen monks, were reputed to levitate. According to Biblical tradition, Jesus performed miracles. Neo also symbolically becomes an "enlightened one," in the script written thusly: "After a moment, Neo BLASTS BY us, his long black coat billowing like a black leather cape as he flies faster than a speeding bullet. FADE OUT."

The script of "The Matrix" provides many valuable lessons in style and structure. It is also provides excellent examples for ways in which exposition can be integrated into a story in a fashion that is also entertaining. Its story builds on many different models from film and mythology, yet it seamlessly integrates the best elements of these other works into its own unique vision.

The narrative also communicates a strong sense of protagonist versus antagonist, rising tension, and strong act climaxes. Its story spine is as tight and direct as a good action film needs, and it reinvents enough genre tropes to keep us guessing. Most importantly, it is a wild, visually stimulating ride that grows from a solid piece of screenwriting.

And if your measure of success is box office, as of the date of this article, the film has made $145,138,521 in 47 days. I'd say they made their production costs back.

Related Links:

"The Matrix" Script
A draft dated June 3, 1997, the version that I analyze above.

"The Matrix" Trailers
Download all nine versions of the trailer from the Official Site.

"Bound" Script
First draft of the first successful screenwriting and directing effort by the Brothers Wachowski.

"Assassins" Script
A draft by Brian Helgeland (of "L.A. Confidential" fame), based on the Wachowskis' version.