A Study Guide to the Movie

Opening Scenes - Summary of events and analytical focus questions

- binary code (numbers) across screen, fade to title – ‘The Matrix’
- back to code and then to phone call between two people – a man and a woman – we do not know their identities yet (we become interested to learn more) - mysterious conversation

 Why does the film open this way?

- Police storming the ‘Heart’ Hotel and confronting a woman. People looking like FBI Agents arrive. Character of the Agent (Hugo Weaving) seems very cool, calm and collected (‘Your men are already dead’)
- Trinity talks to Morpheus on the phone. She uses martial arts and his advice to escape the situation. She does things which defy belief – hanging in mid-air, running along the walls.
- Chase scene – she has to escape and is pursued across the rooftops by police and ‘Agents’
- More actions which defy belief – jumping across buildings/rooftops, diving off a building and through a window

 What do Trinity’s actions indicate about her? What is your first impression of her?
 What are your first impressions of the clothes she is wearing?
 How would you describe Trinity’s attitude in these opening scenes? (when she is confronted by the police, when she is on the phone to Morpheus, when she is being chased)
 What unanswered questions do we have so far about Trinity?
 How would you describe the appearance of the Agents? (what they were wearing, their attitudes)

- The Agent drives a truck into the phone box Trinity is in. She disappears. The Agent speaks of an informant and a target named Neo. (Do you find it strange that someone who appears to be an FBI Agent tried to kill Trinity like this?)

 Consider the setting of the opening scenes (a dark hotel, a chase across the rooftops, a dark city street). How do these settings create the mood/atmosphere of the movie so far?
 Do you think Trinity is a criminal? Why?
 What was your reaction to the martial arts which Trinity used in these opening scenes? (consider the fact that female characters are not often portrayed as being so aggressive and able to defend themselves)

To purchase this guide in full, please email the webmistress. The guide includes scene analysis, assessment tasks, revision activities, production element discussion and other activities.

Useful Links

The Matrix – Film Study
Online study guide with focus questions
Official Matrix Site

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Email: Bernadette Sheedy - website owner