What surprised me about the Matrix is how well the tension builds.
If it was made today Neo would have to meet every challenge as a sort of game objective before moving on to the next challenge.
Say the jumping scene. In a blockbuster movie released this year we would've likely had scene after scene of Neo jumping until he nailed it. Only after meeting that challenge would he be able to continue to the next.
A clear path from point A to point B with challenges along the way. Perhaps he would split up with Trinity, but they would always have objectives A - B - C to complete.
In the Matrix it doesn't work that way. Plots are introduced at a rapid pace. Some characters are introduced seemingly important and then die quickly.
The movie doesn't take a lot of time explaining things. Sure you have Morpheus narrating how the Matrix came to be and all that. But events just happen and Neo and the others improvise as they learn the 'rules' of the Matrix.
Finally the movie doesn't hint heavily at a sequel. The ending is actually one of the shortest scenes. Neo is shot by Smith. Then he wakes up in 'another life' after Trinity kisses him as the oracle foretold.
In this new life he is 'The One' and he easily destroys Smith. The other agents run and from that point forward Neo broadcasts his message trying to free people and he's able to 'hack' the Matrix as he sees fit.
The movie ends in a statisfying way. Sure, a sequel could be made to show what happens next but it could've ended there as well.
One line in the film got me:
"1999, the peak of your civilisation"
Looking at what happened after 1999....
