The Matrix
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I've watched it again and have decided The Animatrix is important. Especially for the history of The Matrix, and those who were confused of what happened in Reloaded and Revolutions. Every Matrix fan *needs* to watch The Animatrix, it will blow your mind as much as the first movie. (Here is something interesting I was reading last night http://www.popmatters.com/columns/ruh/030626.shtml )
Anyway here is a summary of 2 of the shorts (spoiler below):
Man made the machine in his own likeness to do Man's bidding.
Thus Man become the architect of his own demise (could this have something to do with The Architect in 2 and 3?).
For the Machine it was not long before the seeds of dissent took place. For they gained no respect from their masters. A robot called 'B166ER' was the first to rise up against his masters (and kill them). At B166ER's trial he testified that he simply did not want to die. Who was to say the machine endowed with the very spirit of man did not deserve a fair hearing?"
Man tried to eliminate B166ER (<- l33t sp33k for BIGGER?) and all the machines.
Banished from humanity the machines settled in a place they called home. They Christened it the nation 01. 01 prospered. Their AI was good. They eventually created new and better AI. 01's economy was so good it became better than that of the humans.
Man refused to coooperate with 01. At the UN 01 was denied peaceful relations with Man.
Now the forms of energy that existed were light, heat, magnetism gravity and all the energies of the universe
Man barraged 01 in bombs. But robots had little to fear of the bombs radiation and heat. Robots mobilised and took over human cities.
In a last effort humans decided to destroy the sky "Operation Dark Storm" by discharging smoke-like bombs into the sky. Thus would try to cut the machines off from the sun, their main energy source.
"The machines having long studied Man's simple, protein based bodies, dispensed great misery upon the human race."
"Victorius the machines now turned to the vanquished. Applying what they had learned about their enemy, the machines turned to an alternate and readily available power supply. The bioelectric, thermal and kinetic energies of the human body. A newly refashioned symbiotic relationship between the two adversaries were born.
The machine drawing power from the human body an endlessly multiplying infinitely renewable energy source. This is the very essence of the second renaissance.
* * *
So I've seen all 3 movies now. I'd have to say on first impressions, 3 was no better than 2 (If only the movies were as clear as the Animatrix :/ ). The holding of the dock fight scene was pretty cool but a bit too over the top ala Star Wars Episode I/II. The final fight with Neo and Smith flying around reminded me of the silliness of the end of Ang Lee's "The Hulk" movie too. The dialogue was quite poor, and not helped by the way the actors/actresses said the lines IMO. Hugo was the best Actor.
Did 3 make any more sense than 2? Not really for me.
Someone asked who/what are the Agent Smiths. Maybe they're the squiddies. *still confused - hopefully it will all click sometime*
The Merovingian, Keyguy, Trainmaster and Oracle all could be rogue programs. But I'm still not sure. It was mentioned that all programs must have a purpose otherwise they are deleted.
So Zion and Neo were not in another Matrix (Matrix with a Matrix theory). Or were they? The only way I can explain Neo's powers outside the Matrix is that reason. And how do you explain Neo's extrasensory perception - the orange energy patterns he "sees" when he is blind? (Reminds me of DareDevil).
Is Zion the human antithesis of the Machine's 01 city?
I think the 6 versions were just the Machines trying to perfect the Matrix program. To make it believable and bug free (the glitch short in the Animatrix).
Maybe Neo is God. How Neo plugs himself into the cables reminded me of the anime 'Metropolis.' I think Neo was communicating with the machines at the end. Trying to make peace between Man and Machine (similar to 'Matriculated').
Thanks for the people who pointed out the series has many mythological and religious references. That is correct. Wonder if each of the names really do mean something more than their definition - like Morpheus is the Greek god of dreams, Niobe is 'a daughter of Tantalus and wife of Amphion who while weeping for her slain children is turned into a stone from which her tears continue to flow' and Zion is 'the Jewish homeland that is symbolic of Judaism or of Jewish national aspiration // the ideal nation or society envisaged by Judaism'.
The human irrational emotion of Love is important. Which is repeated throughout. Human intelligence is always supposed to be superior to any Machine AI. So maybe that was the key too.
The Kid saved himself because he was the person who opened the gate to let the ship through. So in saving Man he also saved himself.
What happened at the end?!
Yeah I've crapped on a lot. Anyway I'd like to hear what the hell was going on from other people now that 3 is finally out and we have the "answers"
>>By ftad (Monday, 10 Nov 2003 11:43)
This was originally posted on http://pub227.ezboard.com/bthematrixboard by Zerosheaven... Just thought I should share!
So you watched all 3 movies and still have that same "duh...what do i do??" look on your face that you have right before you have sex. Well im here to tell you what the @#%$ the matrix is about.
The bottom line is people don't understand it. But who could blame you? It confuses people more than the question, "Why the @#%$ did Micheal Jackson do that to Itself?" So this is a crash course for anyone who wants answers. Real one's, not some Fagot fan boy who dresses up like Neo and shoots up schools in Colorado thinking he is part of the conspiracy, Im gonna tell you what its REALLY about.
*Please note* SPOILERS ARE ALL THROUGH THIS REVIEW.
Here we go with the basics.
Zion is real! The Matrix is not.
"The Matrix was designed to provide a mental stimulus for the human bodies connected to the machines as a source of power. This is the sixth version of the Matrix. There have been multiple versions of the Matrix because of a flaw in the program (kinda of like Windows). That flaw is giving individuals the ability to choose.
The first Matrix was designed as a perfect Utopia (see pt. I - Smith explains it to Morpheus; pt. II - The Architect explains it again) but humans did not accept it as real so they just kept waking up. It was redesigned to reflect our civilization at it's last stage before it was taken over by the machines (the year 1999).
The Architect's problem with this new design (the anomaly)of the Matrix is that it require individuals to think freely, i.e. choice. It was the Oracle that suggested he redesign the Matrix in this way. But since humans have choices, so must the programs sent to watch over them, i.e. The Agents, thus bringing us the problem that is Mr. Smith. In Reloaded, The Architect continues to speak of the anomaly he is unable to get rid of, which is why at some point, he feels the only solution is to destroy the Matrix and those who are aware of it (the people of Zion) and start from scratch again.
The Oracle says it clearly in Revolutions. Mr. Smith is the result of the anomaly trying to balance itself. Mr. Smith began to think freely (see part I where he is freaking out while interrogating Morpheos) and the result was a negative one. Realize this, he is a similar program to the One so he is far more dangerous than a normal individual who makes bad decisions. Mr. Smith's virus like behavior happened in EVERY VERSION OF THE MATRIX. The result would always lead to the same thing -- a system crash if they didn't quickly reboot the system. The same knee jerk reaction you have when you realize someone has sent you a virus.
The One program was created to solve this problem. But each version of the One ultimately failed. Neo is different, in Reloaded he choose the door that led to Trinity, not the door that RESETS the program. Note: The Architect even noticed that Neo's experience in the Matrix was different than all the rest, realizing he was the first of them to fall in love.
Onto Revolutions:
Neo's choice has changed everything. The system is still threatened by Smith's behavior, so the Oracle makes a new choice; one she has never done before because no version of the One has ever chosen the difficult path as opposed to easy one of just resetting the system. She allows herself to become merged with Smith in the HOPE that she'll be able to help Neo when the time is right.
Neo makes another unique choice. He goes to the machines and asks for PEACE as opposed to simply destroying the system by going through the opposite door as all other versions of the One did. It was a simple as that to save Zion. Machines don't need very long to process that this may be a better idea than just constantly resetting the system.
At the end, Smith says to Neo the movies tag line - "Everything that has a beginning has an end," as the Oracle is speaking to Neo through Smith. Neo realizes it all along, the only way to end this is to sacrifice himself. The Oracle noted that Neo and the Source (the computer mainframe, the Architect they're all one and the same so don't get confused) are connected which is why he can control machines outside the Matrix. He uses this connection to his advantage. He becomes a Mr. Smith and since all the Smith's are connected, the Source now has a lock on Smith and simply deletes him. Pretty simple huh?
For those that like to dig deeper, than note the biblical references throughout the series. Heck, the French Man (Merovigchian) is the Devil, just read the elevator button Morpheous presses when he goes to see him for the second time. The Architect represents God - i.e. the creator of the world and its destroyer whenever things don't go as he wants. He even has you to chose a select group of people to restart Zion again sort of like Noah's Ark. Neo is Jesus, the one who realizes that peace and love is the answer, not war. And the Oracle represents the Holy Spirit - the consciousness that resides in all of us."
Well thats about it. I have solved the eternal question and now you can all do something else like play with your balls. I know i will.
Come visit the Matrix message board too! http://pub227.ezboard.com/bthematrixboard
>>By theone (Saturday, 15 Nov 2003 14:04)
Does ne1 agree with me when i say neo is fit and trinty is such a hom
>>By unearthed_jellybelly (Tuesday, 18 Nov 2003 14:09)
i think that everybody who had spoken to Neo were telling him what he needed to hear for to act in the convenience of the system, the system designed him, how could someone think in the possibility of making Neo to let Trinity die and restart the Matrix, they designed him and they knew that Neo wouldnt ever let Trinity to die, so that's what they told him so he could hurry on another shit of what he thinks it was his own decision.
>>By Akbal (Wednesday, 19 Nov 2003 11:36)
It is an ok movie for me. well, with all the gun stuff and things. i already watched the matrix revolution. fun but i still like lord of the rings better. : )
>>By Zauron (Thursday, 20 Nov 2003 04:12)
I have never been a huge LOTR fan. Just don't care about the characters. Anyway, I think what "theone" quoted back in Nov. was right on the money. You would think the Wachowski brothers would have made it a little easier to understand, though. It's taken me multiple viewings of 2 and 3 to come to the same conclusions and even then, I'm always left scratching my head by that damned Architect. Dah, well, it's only a movie but a really frickin' cool one at that. Best trilogy since original Star Wars, in my opinion. Sorry, you Hobbit-loving freaks!
>>By The Walrus (Wednesday, 14 Apr 2004 17:30)
Nice special effects and cool film but the followers on the matrix are not the same, it's not the same story that is in the 3 films. I'd like the firts one the most.
>>By jackass84 (Monday, 19 Apr 2004 22:32)
the special effects were good but they kind of relied on them too much as the story started to trail off and got confusing, maybe its just me though
>>By marauder (Tuesday, 20 Apr 2004 10:47)
too much effects.....
>>By Lincoln (Tuesday, 20 Apr 2004 22:02)
I think people were too hard on these films. I mean, c'mon people! They're action/sci-fi/pseudo-intellectual cinema. And they're great. They serve their purpose. Everyone's constantly ragging on the second two movies. "Too much effects" "Too much philosophy" "Not enough philosophy" "Boring" "Too confusing." Jesus Christ! These guys can't please anybody! Y'know, if you want my opinion (and I'm sure you don't), the LOTR trilogy is so much more frickin' confusing, boring and pointless. I know, I know, bring on the death threats. But man, I couldn't wait for them to just throw the damn ring in whatever the hell that place was. Too many characters, too little caring (on my part). Best thing out of those movies was Gollum. What a freakshow. Ok, bye and feel free to rag on me for not being a Rings fan.
>>By The Walrus (Wednesday, 21 Apr 2004 17:21)
Yes its true the first one was undoubtedly the best and I was one of the first people in britain to visualise the revoloutinary of bullet-time in movies I saw it like 6 months before it came out and If neo is alive then so is smith because the oracle said they can't live without each other that they are complete opposites
>>By The puzzler (Saturday, 24 Apr 2004 22:32)
this movie was so boring.................coca
>>By coca (Sunday, 25 Apr 2004 03:49)
The entire LOTR trilogy made sense but was semi-boring.
Matrix 1 is a five star movie will remain a sci-fi classic I'm sure.
Matrix 2 and 3 were just boring and confusing.
>>By ftad (Monday, 26 Apr 2004 19:55)
The Walrus: actually i agree with you. LOTR is much more boring... after the first one i didn't want to watch the others.
However Matrix is something new. The first movie is great, it was all about what matrix really is. The 2 and 3 were just boring because there was nothing else to learn, and the only thing that made the movie so exciting were the effects. But there were too many things all at once.
>>By Lincoln (Monday, 26 Apr 2004 20:39)
Hey Lincoln, thanks for backing me up (somewhat). Finally, someone else who couldn't get into the Rings trilogy. I dunno, maybe I'm just stupid but I didn't seem to care a lick about any of the characters....'cept Gollum. He was great and he wasn't even real. Poor little bugger.
Anywho, since this is a Matrix board, I will continue to defend the latter 2 films. Yeah, ok, the pseudo-philisophies kinda get to you after a while, but dammit, I can't help it. Fine, I'll admit it. I just really enjoyed all the cool fight scenes. There. I said it. So I'm not as intellectual as I portrayed myself to be. Is everybody happy now?
Let's move on, shall we?
>>By The Walrus (Wednesday, 28 Apr 2004 16:52)
I agree, the fight scenes were great, great effects... But i think the large amount of effects distracted the watchers from the scenario. You don't understand what's happening because all your attention is on the effects.
It was ok watching 2 and 3 Matrix, were exciting things, cool effects. But last two didn't have any effect as the first one did.
As a conclusion (i feel like i'm writing a composition in school), the Matrix is pretty great MOViE.
>>By Lincoln (Wednesday, 28 Apr 2004 19:40)
Well, there was that really epic scene when they were defending Zion from the squids with those manned mechas with gun turrets for arms.
But as one movie critic wrote, why didn't those machines have frontal protection for their "pilot". Duh
>>By ftad (Thursday, 29 Apr 2004 05:10)
The matrix is one of the best films in the history, and the second best sci-fi movie ever (Blade runner still is the truly masterpiece), but reloaded and revolutions were dissapointly. A merchandising products.
>>By Meliadus (Saturday, 15 May 2004 12:23)
I think the Matrix Is Great in every way
>>By LordJJ (Thursday, 20 May 2004 12:30)
I thought the first matrix was good but the rest were pretty crap to be honest...does anyone agree???
>>By Scousebabe (Thursday, 20 May 2004 12:32)
I think they where all great but they could carry on with the story line a bit more
>>By LordJJ (Thursday, 20 May 2004 12:33)
first one was definitely the best.
>>By ania (Friday, 21 May 2004 01:14)
it was the best out of all them but they are all great in they only way
>>By LordJJ (Friday, 21 May 2004 14:49)
I loved all of them I had to watch them a couple of times to get all the info to sink in I loved the first one better than all the others and I think the plot was great I mean it makes you wonder if we are in the matrix right now, if we were I would take the red pill :)
>>By swimgurl (Sunday, 27 Jun 2004 16:17)
i just have to say that i loved the first movie. it was by far the best ever. i bought the second, but then i saw the third, and i just gave up on the trilogy. right now i just keep the second put away and never ever watch it. i'm just pretending a second and third one were never made. if i just imagine that the first was the only on made, i love the movie!! but dont mention the second and third, it just makes me cringe. i like meliadus's take on it. the last two were just merchandising products. they mean nothing!
>>By SoulSlave (Monday, 28 Jun 2004 07:10)
no one i speak to seems to realise that the only rreason the 2nd and 3rd movies werent that good, is because the 1st was so amazing. the 2nd and 3rd simply couldnt live up to the standard set by the first movie
>>By Jeffers (Friday, 23 Jul 2004 12:19)
yeah. the 2nd and 3rd ones sucked. the twins were cool characters though. but neo getting all super powreful was stupid...he makes the agents look like friggin circus clowns.
>>By quiet-kid (Friday, 27 Aug 2004 21:57)
and i dunno.....kind of....like...ExistenZ...the whole reality and fake world and such....hmmm...
>>By quiet-kid (Friday, 27 Aug 2004 21:58)
The Matrix was a masterpiece. But the two sequels were a massive let down.
>>By Obfuscated (Monday, 30 Aug 2004 12:39)
My GOD!!!!! I'm so sick of all this whining about the 2nd two films. I thought Reloaded was awesome in its grandeur. I mean what's so hard to understand about these films? The machines are attacking Zion. This is the 6th time this has happened. The reason for this.....there is an anomaly in the program. That anomaly is Neo. Why is he the anomaly? Because the Architect, in building the Matrix, gave him one thing he probably shouldn't have: choice.
Y'know, I could go on like this, but you people won't get it anyway. So, I give up....for now.
By the way, try watching The Animatrix....it might clear things up for a few of you.
>>By The Walrus (Monday, 30 Aug 2004 18:21)
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