One part superhero film. One part trippy sci-fi flick. One part groundbreaking action film. Despite the mixed reviews of the sequels, The Matrix Franchise is cemented in film history as one of the most impactful franchises of all time.
Whether you're seeing another movie rip off one of its iconic scenes or you're staying up to 3AM debating your college buddies on the deeper meaning of The Matrix, these films have influenced you in more ways than you know. So we wanted to give some love for the amazing characters that helped make this franchise what it is.
Character: Mouse
Bio: Mouse appears to be the youngest and most diminutive crew member on the Zion hovercraft Nebuchadnezzar. He is a pod-born zionite and is later killed by S.W.A.T. gunfire within the Matrix.
Why We Love Them: Rose & Jack. Baby & Johnny. Harry & Sally. Mouse & The Woman In Red. Not only did Mouse represent one half of one of the best romantic couples in Film, he also became a fan favorite by breaking down some of the major elements of The Matrix in the simplest way possible. Which is why chicken tastes like everything.
Best Moment: "To deny our own impulses is to deny the very thing that makes us human."
Character: The Twins
Bio: The Twins are skilled martial artists and proficient with the use of a knife, or straight razor. The Twins are able to fight even in the close confines of a car with ease. They have the ability to take non-corporeal form that allows them to phase through any solid matter, avoid gunfire and other weapons, explosions etc.
Why We Love Them: While the main villain arc with Agent Smith started to go off the rails in Reloaded, these two quickly stepped in to give fans a great adversary for the group to go against.
Best Moment: "We are getting aggravated." "Yes we are."
Character: Tank
Bio: Tank was the operator onboard the Nebuchadnezzar. He was born naturally in Zion, brother to Dozer and Zee, and died young, sometime between his final appearance in The Matrix and the start of The Matrix Reloaded, of unspecified causes. He is succeeded in his shipboard duties by Link.
Why We Love Them: This pick should almost be a combo slot for Tank & Dozer, but we will give Tank props for helping save the day at the end of the first Matrix. Unfortunately, Tank was replaced in the sequels due to compensation disputes with the studio, but true fans know who the true operator of the Nebuchadnezzar is.
Best Moment: "So what do you need? Besides a miracle."
Character: The Keymaker
Bio: The Keymaker was a program created to open up the door to the Source for The One. In the Sixth Matrix he was kept prisoner in the Chateau of the Merovingian, during which time he saved Niobe and Ghost from an Agent. Morpheus, Neo and Trinity, with the help of Persephone, manage to free the Keymaker.
Why We Love Them: Since The Keymaker was talked about more than he actually spoke, it wouldn't have been a shock if they moved through his scenes without focusing too much on character development. Along the way, The Keymaker quickly won over the hearts of the fans. Not only was he extremely resourceful throughout the mission, but he was able to build an emotional connection with fans that left them reeling with the feels upon his death at the end of the film.
Best Moment: "I know because I must know. It is my purpose. It is the reason I am here. The same reason we are all here."
Character: Niobe
Bio: Niobe is a member of the Resistance and the captain of both the Logos and the Logos II. She served on the Logos with her first mate Ghost and operator Sparks. Niobe was once romantically involved with Morpheus, but after he visited the Oracle and dedicated his life to finding the One, they drifted apart. After breaking up with Morpheus, Niobe eventually became involved with Jason Lock.
Why We Love Them: Two words. Bad Ass. No, wait. One word. Badass. You get the point. Niobe could have easily been cornered into the love triangle arc with Morpheus and Locke, but instead she became one of the coolest characters of the series. Whether it was kicking ass during the power vault takedown, navigating a route that was on par with the Kessel Run, or rocking her badass updo, she quickly became a fan-favorite. After the trilogy, fans had no problems with taking over as her character in the Enter the Matrix video game.
Best Moment: "That’s a mechanical line. It’s impossible, no one can pilot mechanical."
Character: Agent Smith
Bio: Smith is an Agent of the system. Like other Agents, Smith's role is to police and maintain the Matrix by eliminating potential threats to the stability of the system. After being initially destroyed by Neo, he became an Exile program and manifested as a computer virus.
Why We Love Them: If this list was solely focused on the first Matrix, Agent Smith would be making a run at the top three spots. Unfortunately, his character suffered the most from the flaws of the sequels. That being said, Smith will still go down as one of the all-time great movie villains.
Best Moment: "That's the sound of inevitability"
Character: Seraph
Bio: Seraph behaves as a guardian, to protect access to more important programming. In this case, Seraph fights the challenger, allowing those with sufficient fighting skill (and the rightful reasons to access) to meet the Oracle. It is known that when Seraph came to the Matrix he began to work for the Merovingian. When he was working for the Merovingian, the Oracle approached him and asked him to protect her. Ever since, the Merovingian has seen him as a traitor. At some point in the past, he also eluded and may have even defeated Agent Smith.
Why We Love Them: You ever come across one of those Password Protect screens that are almost impossible to get through? Well, that's kind of like Seraph. What makes his character so great is the mystery behind him. Not only did he go toe-to-toe with Neo, but he is the only other character to successfully beat Agent Smith. He also took over as one of the main members of the group while Neo was doing his...well....Superman thing.
Best Moment: "You could've just asked."
Character: Trinity
Bio: Trinity is a computer programmer and a hacker who has escaped from the Matrix. She is skilled with computers, at operating vehicles both inside and outside the Matrix, and in martial arts.
Why We Love Them: Fans were in on Trinity since the start of the first Matrix. She got to set the tone for the franchise and introduced us to many of the elements that gave The Matrix its everlasting fame. Trinity also helped introduce Neo to the workings of The Matrix and came up huge at the end of the first movie by literally breathing life back into Neo. The One leaned heavily on Trinity throughout the trilogy (say that five times fast) as their relationship grew.
Best Moment: "No Lieutenant, your men are already dead."
Character: Morpheus
Bio: Morpheus is a Zion operative who serves in the city's defense force against attack from the Machines. Morpheus devotes "all of his life" in search of The One, the destined human who will bring an end to the Machine War.
Why We Love Them: Do you remember that day in 1999 when the world's collective mind was blown? Well, we can thank Morpheus for that. It may have taken fans a second to piece together what this man was saying, but that didn't stop us from immediately taking an unmarked Red Pill in a broken down abandoned apartment as he offered it.
Best Moment: Everyone loves a great half-time speech.
Character: Neo
Bio: Neo, (born Thomas A. Anderson) the protagonist of The Matrix franchise, is a redpill rescued by Morpheus and the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar. Prophesized by The Oracle to be The One, he is set out on a course to free humanity from the Matrix and end the Machine War.
Why We Love Them: Even though this franchise hit some bumps along the way, they never faulted in building up the character of Neo. Almost every scene that wasn't leveraged to build context on The Matrix was used to build up what this character can do, as well as his potential. Despite the criticism of the sequels, you would be hard pressed to find a viewer that doesn't enjoy watching Neo kick some ass.
Best Moment: "He's beginning to believe"
Image Credits: Warner Brothers
