The Matrix explores the idea that the world that we live in isn't actually the real world. The world we live in is the Matrix, and the world outside of this is the real world. The film uses different aspects of film language such as sound and light to convey this meaning. .
The music throughout the film is very techno and rocky which creates the idea of the world we live in being digital and not real. The soundtrack includes tracks from modern techno/rock groups such as The Deftones and ironically, Rage against the machines. When the characters are in the Matrix, the music is electronic but in the real world the music is more mechanical, and this helps the audience differentiate the two worlds. The electronic soundtrack also is used to make the audience realise that the matrix is not real and is all digital. .
The music changes, however, when the scene changes. For the Kung-fu part of the film, the music changes to loud drums and Asian instruments and this creates an oriental atmosphere for the kung fu fighting. With the romantic and more emotional scenes during the film, the music changes to harps and soft classical music, which creates more emotion into the scene. When Neo rescues Trinity from the helicopter and Morpheus from the agents, the music changes to grand classical music, with a lot of trumpets to generate a hero mood. .
During a lot of climatic moments throughout the film, the music helps build up tension. There are a lot of sharp, staccato notes that gradually get louder when new information is gained or action builds up. Generally, when the action stops, there is a lot of heavy breathing from the characters to indicate an end to that action sequence. If the music is low, it gradually increases to indicate that danger is coming, and a lot of high electronic sounds and beeping is used to show panic and danger.
Digital sounds are used a lot when the scenes are in the matrix. Whenever someone uses the phone, the sound is always digitalized, as a voice down the phone is never the real voice of the person you are talking to, just like the matrix isn't the real world.
