The Matrix

1999

Director: The Wachowski Brothers

Distributor: Warner Brothers / Village Roadshow Pictures

Key Elements: Concept – Visuals – Lines – Symbolism

My Review:

There has been a lot of discussion about how this movie should be interpreted. Some see a lot of Christian Symbolism in that Neo is “the one” who will free humanity from oppression.

There is also a lot of Plato in this story – particularly the allegory of the cave which teaches that we must free our minds from what has always been presented to us if we are to fully perceive reality.

But what I like most is the suggestion that we cannot trust our minds. Western Culture relies on human reason far too much.

But philosophical musings aside, it’s a cool concept and a great action flick.

Unfortunately, it will forever be associated with its two ridiculous sequels.

Trailer:






Quotes:

• This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
  I know why you're here, Neo. I know what you've been doing... why you hardly sleep, why you live alone, and why night after night, you sit by your computer. You're looking for him. I know because I was once looking for the same thing. And when he found me, he told me I wasn't really looking for him. I was looking for an answer. It's the question that drives us, Neo. It's the question that brought you here. You know the question, just as I did.
  - What is the Matrix?
  The answer is out there, Neo, and it's looking for you, and it will find you if you want it to.
• If real is what you can feel, smell, taste and see, then 'real' is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.
• What are you waiting for? You're faster than this. Don't think you are, know you are. Come on. Stop trying to hit me and hit me.
• The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.
• There is no spoon.
• I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You're a plague and we are the cure.
• That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind. …I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.
  Welcome to the real world.
• What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?
  - No, Neo. I'm trying to tell you that when you're ready, you won't have to.
• My name... is Neo.

Stills: