If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then The Matrix must be one of the most admired films of all time. Scenes from the film have been copied in dozens of other movies and TV shows, especially“bullet time,”where the camera appears to circle around the action.

　　But the makers of the original film and its two upcoming sequels, Matrix

Reloads and Matrix Revolution had one simple goal: to make a movie that no one could copy.”There are only two ways to do that: time and money,”said producer Joel Silver.

　　How much money? While almost everything about the movie is a closely-guarded secret, it is estimated that the two sequels, which were filmed back-to-back, cost at least US$300 million. At least US$100 million of that was for special effects: while the first movie had 412 special effect shots, the two sequels will have over 2,500. One 17-minute fight scene cost more than US$40 million to produce.

　　But special effects weren’t the only things they spent money on. After having trouble finding a suitable highway for the final scene of the first sequel, the directors decided to build their own highway.“The construction company actually said to us,‘We’re not doing this’,”said the movie’s executive producer.“They couldn’t believe it was for a movie. They said,‘Do you realize how much this costs?’”

　　The three stars of the first movie, Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss have all returned for the sequels.

　　Reloaded will center around a new character called the Keymaker, who has the power to open any door in the computer-generated world. While the plot of revolution is still a secret, audiences will only have to wait six month after Reloaded to see it.

　　“our fans would be angry at us if we made them wait any longer,”said the producer.