Welcome to... (dramatic pause, followed by the sound of a kazoo) ... The inaugural "Four Takes Movie Podcast." where four life-long friends and amateur film enthusiasts (they emphasize they are not experts) embark on a mission to dissect the cinematic masterpiece that is 1999's "The Matrix."

Through this series of podcasts, they will discuss films they love, hate, or feel indifferent about in a light-hearted, humorous, and sometimes insightful manner. So, listeners are invited to tune in to "Four Takes Movie Podcast," where it is proven that even a movie about bending reality can't be as bizarre as their conversations. So subscribe and come along for the ride!

The team begin by sharing their first impressions of seeing The Matrix in the cinema in 1999, noting that it was released the same year as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace . Despite not having significant initial hype, it became a sleeper hit, supported by a considerable $70 million budget for the time . They discuss the directors, the Wachowskis (initially known as the Wachowski Brothers), and how their earlier movie Bound, starring Jennifer Tilly and the actor who played Cipher, helped them secure the opportunity to direct The Matrix .

The conversation delves into their life-changing reactions to their first viewing of The Matrix, particularly the ground breaking bullet time visual effects . They explore various themes present in the movie, ranging from interpretations of religion and theology to mythology and philosophy. The hosts touch upon the idea of a Messiah figure within the narrative. There is a general consensus that the first movie was the best, with the subsequent sequels not reaching the same level of impact.

The casting is praised, with particular attention paid to Keanu Reeves' portrayal of Neo as a relatable everyman. The podcast mentions that actors such as Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio were also considered for the role. The character of Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, is discussed in terms of his authority and role as a mentor. His name is noted to derive from ancient Greek mythology, where Morpheus is the god of dreams, fitting the nature of the Matrix. It is also mentioned that Fishburne was advised to base his performance on a character from Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

An interesting point is raised about the initial concept for the character Switch to present as male in the real world and female in the Matrix, reflecting themes of gender identity that the Wachowskis later explored in projects like Sense8 and Cloud Atlas . The iconic red pill and blue pill scene is also briefly mentioned.

The hosts touch upon technical aspects, including Neo's Microsoft ergonomic keyboard, and a surprising fact that the Matrix code was allegedly based on a sushi menu . They fondly recall the extensive DVD extras that accompanied The Matrix, such as the documentary The Matrix Revisited . Anecdotes about injuries on set and Keanu Reeves' generosity towards the crew are shared.

Towards the end of the movie discussion, each host shares their favourite movie moments and least favourite movie moments from The Matrix, offering personal insights into the film's impact. The discussion briefly touches on the body horror element of the bug removal scene. The episode concludes with a recommendation to watch The Matrix, highlighting its status as a fantastic film.