Arnold
CibbuanoThe Matrix
September 12th 2006 10:56
The Matrix (1999)
I've always liked this movie, it took me (and a lot of other people) by surprise when it first came out, and it's stood up to a lot of re-watching, and still does. Anyone unfamiliar with the plot need not know anything more than that this is a science-fiction opus, combining the cyberpunk genre with groundbreaking special-effects, east-meets-west action, shamanistic & judeo-christian mythology and a depth of philosophical understanding seldom matched within mainstream western sci-fi cinema (at least, at the time of it’s release).
The beauty of 'The Matrix' lies in it's ability to set up it's story with a vast amount of high-culture and do it subtly, without spoiling the entertainment value for anyone not familiar with the various texts it draws on. It's not important to understand where the film comes from as, like 'Lord of the Rings', it draws upon such texts to build a new mythology for a new audience. It’s stood up to a lot of re-watching for me. There's so much in this film that the more I watch it the more I feel myself become one with ‘The One’.
Okay, so the cast isn't exactly Oscar-material. Carrie-Ann Moss comes across as a little wooden, but fits the mould of the tough and silent femme fatale. Keanu Reeves is suitably blank as the every-man hero, and Joe Pantoliano does what he does best; shifty and shady. Huge Weaving and Laurence Fishburne stand out the most, each making their part their own through memorable body language and speech patterns. The dialogue seems a little cheesy in parts, but for every wince-inducing line there's one of pure gold, and I guess the over-dramatic way of the speaking the characters have kind of fits in with the film’s comic book roots.
The true star of the film would have to be the action and special effects. 'The Matrix' would have to go down as the most influential action film of the last ten years, so much so that it's now nearly impossible for other films of the genre to ignore it's hallmark techniques, no matter how familiar they have become to us. What else can I say? The ending still gives me goosebumps, and it's great to know that thoughtful and spectacular sci-fi can still be made. It’s just a shame that this film is tarnished and overshadowed by it’s sequels… as a singular film in itself, the first Matrix movie should be considered a sci-fi classic.
HIGHLIGHTS: Look for a variety of Aussie soapstars in supporting roles... we're talking "Home and Away"s own 'Damo' and that Ada Nicodemou from "Heartbreak High".
TRIVIA: There's a fair bit here, some obvious, some not so obvious...
'Neo' means new, and is also an anagram of 'One'.
Neo and Thomas Anderson are two sides to the same person; this links to some Gnostic texts that allude to Jesus' twin, Judas Thomas, who took Jesus' place on the cross. Likewise, Neo sacrifices his Thomas Anderson persona in favour of the saviour.
This line of thought goes further, with more parallels that can be drawn between Neo and Christ. Both had virgin births. 'Anderson' means 'Son of Man', a name by which Christ was often referred. Both had predicted comings. Neo has a group of 'followers', much like the Apostles these 'followers' include a leader (Morpheus-John), a pair of brothers (Tank/Dozer - The Sons of Thunder) and a betrayer (Cypher-Judas Iscariot). Both Christ and Neo had their deaths and resurrections foretold. Neo is prepared to sacrifice himself for Morpheus. Neo later returns from the dead, with greater powers, like Christ, and a radiant presence, and then ascends into the heavens (literally!).
'Morpheus' is the God of Dreams in Greek mythology, the word is also the root of the words 'morphine' (sleep inducing and painkilling drug) and 'morphing' (seamless transformation of one image to another).
The other Agents have equally nondescript names as Smith, one being called 'Agent Brown' and the other 'Agent Jones'.
'Zion' and 'Nebuchadnezzer' are both sourced from Old Testament Bible.
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I think thats the general consensus, and it sure as hell is my opinion.
Comment by Luke
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