Francesko bb
The Matrix
Warner Bros.
“The Matrix” is one of the most groundbreaking science fiction films ever made. The beloved 1999 classic combined Eastern philosophy, eye-popping visual effects, incredible martial arts stunt work, and technological anxieties into a unique premise. “The Matrix” spawned three sequels and countless imitators. You don’t have to look very far to see how much “The Matrix” has influenced today’s films. There are still movies that attempt to replicate the “bullet time” visuals or the neo-noir aesthetic.
One of the reasons that “The Matrix” has remained so entertaining over the years is that it justifies its 1990s aesthetic within the context of the story. In the simulated reality of “The Matrix,” the computer program is trying to emulate what life may have looked like in 1999. Although everything appears to be normal, Neo (Keanu Reeves) begins to notice gaps in his reality. Anytime he experiences deja vu, it is because “The Matrix” accidentally ran a program for a second time.
“Neo” is a codename that the office worker Thomas Anderson takes on as his hacker name. His hacking skills are what attract the attention of the resistance leader Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). Morpheus believes that Neo is “The One,” a messiah that will save humanity from technological dominance. These themes of artificial supremacy were particularly scary in 1999 because of the ongoing fears about Y2K. The film serves as a perfect time capsule for that era.
WarGames
MGM
There is more than enough reason to be scared of hackers. However, Hollywood has also shown how hackers can become heroes. It sometimes takes someone willing to break cybersecurity laws to save the world from a potentially devastating situation.
Matthew Broderick gave one of his best performances ever as hacker David Lightman in the 1983 thriller “WarGames.” David is a high school slacker who has never taken advantage of his intelligence. David would rather tinker with his computer than spend time in a classroom. He hacks into his school’s firewall and changes his grades. However, David’s hacking skills land him in serious trouble. David hacks into a mysterious program that he thinks will give him access to computer games. He doesn’t realize that he has broken into NORAD’s wartime simulation program.
After he gains access to WOPR, NORAD’s supercomputer, David engages in a game of “Global Thermonuclear War.” The computer begins a simulation that NORAD personnel believe to be a real Soviet attack. He is forced to help the United States government prevent a nuclear war. Although the depiction of hacking may feel out-of-date today, “WarGames” shows the strategies that hackers use to solve problems. The computer programs themselves have changed over time, but the fragility of world politics has remained the same.
Blackhat
Universal Pictures
Michael Mann is one of the greatest crime movie directors of all time. In all of his films, Mann adapts his style to what is relevant at the time. His 2015 film, “Blackhat,” explores the terrifying prospect of a cyber-terrorist who is hell-bent on watching the world burn.
“Blackhat” opens with one of the most terrifying sequences that Mann has ever created. A coordinated hack detonates a nuclear plant in Hong Kong and collapses the Mercantile Trade Exchange in Chicago. The world’s financial infrastructure is immediately thrust into chaos. Neither the FBI nor China’s People’s Liberation Army have the resources to track down this elusive threat. However, Chinese Army Capt. Chen Dawai (Leehom Wang) comes up with a risky plan. He recruits convicted hacker Hathaway (Chris Hemsworth) to help them find the rogue hacker before he strikes again.
Hathaway was imprisoned for hacking into a bank’s firewall. He is cagey about working for the government but agrees to help so that he will be set free. Hathaway teams up with Capt. Dawai’s sister, Chen (Tang Wei). They travel the globe in search of the cyber-terrorist.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Sony Pictures
Lisbeth Salander is one of the most iconic female protagonists in modern fiction. She is the protagonist of the “Millennium” novel series by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. Lisbeth is a detective and computer hacker who exposes evil men for their crimes. She is a feminist icon. The “Millennium” books were first adapted to the big screen in 2009 with the Swedish film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” starring Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth. Rapace returned for two sequels, “The Girl Who Played with Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.”
Anytime there is an American remake of a beloved international film, fans have a good reason to be skeptical. However, David Fincher’s 2011 remake of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” was even better than the first adaptation. Fincher fleshed out Lisbeth’s investigation in more detail. Lisbeth (Rooney Mara) and her partner, journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), work together to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of a wealthy girl named Harriet Vanger. Their search leads them to Vanger’s ruthless grandfather, Henrik (Christopher Plummer).
Even though the film is almost three hours long, “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” never loses its aura of intensity. Mara delivers a transformative performance as Lisbeth. Lisbeth will go to any lengths to expose Harriet’s kidnappers, even if it means hacking into the government’s computers. Fincher uses the hacking sequence to reveal aspects of Lisbeth’s personality. Her desire for justice is compelling.
Mission: Impossible
Paramount Pictures
The “Mission: Impossible” series is one of the greatest action movie franchises of all time. Throughout the six films, Tom Cruise has risked his life on multiple occasions by performing dangerous stunts himself. Between fighting on the edge of a cliff, shattering his ankle, hanging on to the side of a plane, and climbing the tallest building in the world, it seems like Cruise will do just about anything for an exciting scene. Anticipation is high for the upcoming two-part sequel, “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning.”
The “Mission: Impossible” saga has evolved. Although the series is now best known for its jaw-dropping action sequences, the original film from 1996 is a more contained neo-noir thriller. Director Brian de Palma took advantage of emerging technology and explored the world of hacking. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is blamed for the death of his team after the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) is compromised. To clear his name and find the real killer, Ethan must infiltrate the CIA’s supercomputer. The sequence in which Ethan breaks into the government facility is one of the film’s most iconic moments.
Ethan’s intelligence makes him a unique protagonist. While Ethan takes advantage of the various gadgets at his disposal, he does not rely on them. His knowledge of computer programming allows him to track down arms dealer Max (Vanessa Redgrave). Ethan has to find a secret list containing the names of active IMF agents before Max does.
