The Matrix allowed viewers to enter a world where the lines between reality and illusion blur and where people struggle against the invisible shackles of digital imprisonment. The phenomenal achievement, directed by the Wachowskis, threw the themes of human identity and the meaning of life to the viewing masses, wrapped in the idea that reality as we know it may be a mere simulator artificially created by machines. Revolutionary special effects, such as the legendary bullet time, as well as music and visuals, contributed to the trilogy’s success.
The Matrix as inspiration
The film series is brimming with elements to which creatives respond like wasps to honey. The main ones include a futuristic look with green overtones, special effects, specific scenes from the films, the main characters and their costumes, the connection to technological innovation and virtual reality, drama, and suspense. These elements are used to create compelling advertising stories and capture the attention of the audience.
Green is the colour of the Matrix
The scenes set in the Matrix have a sickly green colour to evoke the computer reality and corruption of the Matrix. Scenes in the real world, on the other hand, have a blue tint, while scenes outside the Matrix and the real world are coloured yellow.
The green Matrix colour was the inspiration for the 5 Gum ad, for example. Interestingly, the ad was largely created using artificial intelligence. How fitting!
Video: 5 Gum
Morpheus and Kia at the Super Bowl 2014
Laurence Fishburne dons Morpheus’s frameless glasses in a Kia advert to boost sales of the company’s cars. The ad is based on a scene in which Morpheus holds a blue pill in one hand with which “the story ends” and the world will continue to be as it has been, Neo will forget he ever had a choice and return to his life. In the other hand, however, Morpheus offers Neo a red pill to stay in Wonderland and change everything. So, in an ad for Kia cars that emphasises luxury, Morpheus offers the blue and red keys...
Video: Kia Car – Super Bowl 2014
The visual style of the Matrix is instantly recognisable in Kia’s advert. All it takes is Fishburne, his glasses, and his deep voice and it is immediately obvious that this is the Matrix.
Agent Smith and General Electric
Morpheus is far from being the only character to appear in TV advertising. Agent Smith, played by Hugo Weaving, has also decided to back General Electric in person.
In the ad, created by BBDO New York, Agent Smith walks through a fictional hospital and describes the software and equipment used to connect patients with doctors, nurses, and hospital equipment. The famous Matrix flash cannot be missing at the end of the ad directed by David Gordon Green, best known for Pineapple Express.
Video: General Electric – Hired Agent Smith of ‘The Matrix’ For Connected Hospitals
Samsung TV and Matrix (2003)
Worth mentioning is also the LLCD 40" flat-screen TV ad. It is based on the famous scene in which Neo dodges bullets. “Welcome to the new dimension”, the ad concludes.
Video: Samsung – Matrix Reloaded
Interestingly, by 2002, the scene where Neo dodges bullets was parodied in 20 films. This scene in The Matrix was shot using a special bullet time effect and 120 specially modified static cameras.
Pepsi and blue and red pill
In its campaign, Pepsi parodied the famous “Blue Pill, Red Pill” scene. Here, the blue pill is replaced by a red can of generic cola and the red pill is replaced by a can of Pepsi Max. The campaign created by TBWA Sydney presents viewers with a challenging choice between “predictable convenience” and a drink that promises courage.
Video: Pepsi Max – Taste Challenge
But that is not the only ad for which Pepsi turned to the phenomenal film for inspiration. Another Pepsi Max ad was a funny parody of The Matrix:
Video: Pepsi Max – Matrix
Cyberpunk and Keanu Reeves
Not only the scenes from the film but also the protagonists are of interest to media agencies and creatives. For example, Keanu Reeves appeared in an advertisement for Cyberpunk 2077 by the Polish development studio CD Project Red, which is famous for, among other things, the Witcher games. Keanu Reeves was cast in the lead role, suggesting that the criminal lifestyle in the context of the game is nothing but a salvation for its citizens. The footage flashes a few in-game moments before Reeves transforms into his in-game counterpart Johnny Silverhand and closes the door of his exotic hypercar.
Video: Cyberpunk 2077 – Seize the Day
Squarespace and Keanu Reeves
But that wasn’t the end of Keanu Reeves’s involvement in advertising. He also appeared in an ad called “Should You Make a Website? Here’s Why Keanu Reeves Did”. This spot, which was made famous at the 2018 Super Bowl, was created by ad agency Team collaboration for Squarespace in the United States.
Keanu Reeves, as a Squarespace customer and co-founder of Arch Motorcycle, surfs one of his own motorcycles in the ad. While riding his motorcycle, Reeves encourages viewers to take the same metaphorical leap and follow their passions and dreams.
Video: Squarespace – Shout You Make a Website
Plenty Kitchen Towels – Brenda and Audrey
A 2009 ad for Plenty kitchen towels offers disarming humour. The Matrix-style ad features “strong housewives”, Brenda and Audrey, who are actually two large, stocky middle-aged men. Brenda was played by Ian Good, Audrey by Calum MacPherson.
Video: Plenty Matrix
It doesn’t end with the fourth instalment
Although the fourth instalment, Matrix Resurrections, released in December 2021 was not as commercially successful as the previous films, Warner Bros. believes in the future potential of this well-known sci-fi brand and is preparing its fifth instalment. The film will be directed and written by Oscar-nominated Drew Goddard, known for his work on The Martian and The Cabin in the Woods. The plot of the new Matrix is still under wraps but promises new directions without straying from the original success of the franchise. Lana Wachowski, co-creator of the previous instalments, will serve as executive producer. It is not yet clear whether familiar characters like Neo and Trinity will return, or new characters will be introduced.
Anyway, we can look forward to new scenes, new effects, and maybe new protagonists. And in the future, that means a lot of new and amusing TV ads inspired by iconic moments from the unique Matrix franchise.
