How The Matrix Looks in Source Filmmaker

A few weeks ago, I told you about Valve releasing its Source Filmmaker software to the public. One crafty user decided to see what a scene from The Matrix would look like rendered in Source, and the result speaks for itself.

The scene in question is from near the end of The Matrix, where Trinity and Neo stage a rescue of their mentor, Morpheus, who’s been captured by Agent Smith. Proving that with superior firepower, anything is possible, Morpheus’ mid-air escape and rescue was one of the movie’s most memorable scenes.

The Source version is rendered using the same graphics engine used by Valve Software in making games like Portal 2 and Left 4 Dead, and staged and recorded using the software package that Valve uses to create its character-centric short films for Team Fortress 2. While the character models used in this recording look nothing like their big-screen counterparts, the way the scenes are framed and composed look remarkably like the real thing. The lip sync is impressive (using the real audio track from the movie), and the stylistic visuals are a perfect frame-for-frame match. Watch for the bullet time shot of Morpheus being shot in the leg, and the bullets raining down from the helicopter.

Now just imagine what a filmmakers with an original story to tell could do with Source Filmmaker. I don’t think we’re going to have to wait long to see some truly amazing movie-making come out of Valve’s robust software.