It's common for martial arts movies to pay homage to the legends, and The Matrix is no exception, giving multiple nods to kung fu legend Bruce Lee. After famously learning martial arts from a computer program, Neo emerges from his training to a curious Morpheus and states, “I know kung fu.” Morpheus replies, “show me,” and the film’s first big duel begins. Having just boasted that he knows kung fu, Neo wastes no time in mimicking the one and only Bruce Lee to exhibit his confidence after being told not to hold back.
The Matrix pays homage to Bruce Lee, throughout the Morpheus and Neo fight. Right from the beginning, Neo bounces on the balls of his feet, shakes his arms out, and then rubs his thumb across his nose in a quick motion, a motion that Bruce Lee made famous during his movie career. Bruce Lee didn’t like traditional kung fu as it disallowed for organic innovation in place of tradition. Because of this, Lee would add signature movements to his fighting style, such as the “bring it” gesture Morpheus makes which was also made famous by Bruce Lee. The Wachowski sisters managed to squeeze in one more Bruce Lee reference when Neo is proving to Morpheus how fast he can move. Neo’s arms become a blur, creating an illusion where it looks as if he has a dozen arms, a final nod to Bruce Lee's famous scene in Fist of Fury. The Matrix set out to be a renowned martial arts film and made sure to recognize the superstars who paved the way for the genre’s popularity.
Why The Matrix’s Martial Arts Look So Good
Having an a strong martial artist was always going to be essential to selling the fantasy and science fiction of The Matrix. Keanu Reeves (John Wick) agreed to the Wachowskis’ terms to undergo four months of vigorous martial arts training to prepare for the film. This focus on the craft and art form of martial arts allowed Keanu a deeper understanding and respect for the Wachowskis’ vision and the martial arts he was performing. Keanu’s dedication to learning kung fu paired with his stunt double Chad Stahelski’s incredible talent, paved the way for The Matrix to become an iconic action film under Yuen Woo Ping’s guidance.
While not all viewers might be familiar with the name of Yuen Woo Ping, they most certainly know his work. The Wachowskis tracked Yuen down and brought his expertise to Hollywood with a promise of creating an innovative vision: a kung fu sci-fi film. The incredibly talented fight choreographer continues to reference Bruce Lee in his work on Ip Man and has lent his wisdom to films like Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, Kung Fu Hustle, Fearless, Ip Man, and the IMDB list goes on. The Matrix was Yuen Woo Ping’s first foray into western cinema, but his talent was undeniable and his impact everlasting.
The Matrix’s Martial Arts Movie Influence Made The Action Unique
While The Matrix was full of special effects, Yuen made sure to incorporate his vision and the physical wirework that was made famous in movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; allowing for the high-flying stunts well known in Hong Kong cinema. Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, and Carrie Ann Moss all joined Keanu Reeves in the extensive gun-fu training, to ensure the main cast members could represent their own kung fu. Each of the main characters fights with their own charisma, easily differentiating memorable scenes like the lobby fight in The Matrix or the freeway battle in The Matrix: Reloaded. The attention to detail in finding each cast member’s kung fu style, and utilizing that knowledge when choreographing action sequences, is impeccable. The mix of organic kung fu, real world stunts, and sci-fi visuals, provided the innovative concept the Wachowskis set out to achieve with Yuen Woo Ping’s help. Only someone with the experience of Yuen Woo Ping, a renowned fight choreographer in the kung fu capital of Hong King cinema, would have been able to create the iconic fight scenes The Matrix became known for.