No. 19 - The Matrix (1999)

Free Your Mind...

Rated: R (Restricted) for language and sci-fi violence

Directors and Screenwriters:  Lana and Lilly Wachowski

Starring:  Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Anthony Ray Parker, Juian Arahanga

Movie Introduction: Neo (Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his one burning question -- What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Moss), a tight-bodied gothic stranger who leads him into the underworld where he meets Morpheus. This begins a battle for their lives against viciously intelligent secret agents, led by Agent Smith (Weaving). It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.

Defining Moment: the red pill

Neo finally gets to meet Morpheus. They discuss the Matrix and what means. Morpheus finally presents Neo with a choice, two pills, one red and one blue. The blue pill will allow Neo to go back to his life as he currently knows it: his apartment, his job, his controlled environment. The Red pill will show him the truth about the Matrix. What follows is Neo's rebirth and it is perhaps one of the greatest moments in Sci-Fi cinema. 

Something subtle you might have missed:  mirror, mirror

There are many instances in the film where we see important revelations in reflections: the red and blue pills are seen in Morpheus' sunglasses; Neo witnesses a broken mirror mend itself; images in a spoon contort as the spoon begins to melt; the helicopter is seen in the picture windows of a skyscraper. These reflections, and their distortions, shows that the Matrix, though complicated and incredible, is not reality. 

Memorable Quotes:

"Welcome to the desert of the real." - Morpheus

"Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we are the cure." - Agent Smith

Dad's Review:

The concept that machines eventually take over our world was memorably demonstrated in James Cameron's Terminator films. Humanity would be screwed if this were to really occur.

This film from 1999 was the next evolution of that concept.

Ironically, many of us in the data processing field were very busy in 1999. We were busy fixing code related to the coming of the year 2000.  There was a lot of program code that only looked at a two-digit year. I mean, really?  That fact, and its short-sidedness, always amazed me. However, back then, programmers did everything they could to save space, even two digits. We spent almost all of 1999 making the necessary updates. As a result, the first week of 2000 was a non-event. The system did not collapse as was predicted. 

Much of The Matrix is centered around a complex system that has created a faux environment. The film is ground-breaking and completely original. As I sat in the theater, I could not believe how much it blew my mind!

On one level it's a sci-fi action thriller, but there are some very deep philosophical questions raised:

• If the real world is a post-apocalyptic wasteland, do I want to live in that reality?
• Is it wrong to live in a "fake reality", if that world is pleasurable?
• Do humans really want to keep making machines more and more intelligent?
• Are humans simply Duracell batteries?

A ton of credit has to go to the film's principal creators, the Wachowskis, Lana and Lilly. Can you imagine how they must have conveyed the concept of this film to their cast and filmmaking crew? It is so cerebral and abstract. 

This pioneering film in the cyberpunk film sub-genre employed mind-bending special effects; an rich soundtrack of alternative music; and some the best wire harness stunts ever (on par with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). It film also made Carrie-Ann Moss a star. She portrays Trinity, the ultimate Goth super-chick, and she kicks a lotta serious butt.

The Matrix has taken some heat due to the lobby scene. It reminded many viewers of the Columbine school shooting. The shooters there also wore black trench coats, and used automatic weapons. All I can say, especially since I support bans on automatic weapons, is that within the film, Neo and Trinity know they are not killing humans, but rather, systematically-generated programs, disguised as humans, within the matrix.

In no way do I find the mass shooting of humans fun or entertaining.

Furthermore, I request that everyone support, by vote, politicians who specify reasonable gun control measures, such as age limits, background checks, waiting periods, and a complete ban on weapons designed for war with the specific intent of killing people. It makes sense and every human with a brain knows it!

Onto No. 20... The Gloomy Paladin