Agent Smith from The Matrix

The Matrix was one of those films that had the same impact on me as Star Wars did and that's saying a lot. Its visual effects, especially the abundant use of slow-motion, spinning cameras and the famed bullet time effect of a character freezing or slowing down and the camera panning around them was revolutionary as it didn't rely entirely on CGI which has become the norm. The concept was very refreshing and when I watched it again with my sons, the youngest began to question if he lived in the real world. The eldest was tickled by the red pill and blue pill concept coz Viagra's blue and he wonders why Neo didn't go for it.

Smith is an Agent, an artificial intelligence manifested in the Matrix and possesses extraordinary powers to manipulate his surroundings (including superhuman strength and the ability to flawlessly dodge incoming bullets). However, Agents still have limitations, being "based in a world that is built on rules". Consequently, he cannot fly, walk through walls, or perform any other actions outside the boundaries of his programming.




Agent Smith is played by Hugo Weaving and I must say, the casting was spot on coz he was really annoying in the film, behaving like he owned everyone.

Hugo Weaving's performance as the enigmatic Agent Smith earned him international recognition. He would reprise the role of Smith in the sequels: The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. He also garnered much popular attention in the role of the Elven Lord, Elrond in The Lord of the Rings, as V in V for Vendetta and as the voice of Megatron in Transformers.

The fear on his face at the end of The Matrix when he saw Neo stop bullets was priceless. And how the other Agents ran!