Matrix Reloaded Misfires
Published May 16, 2003
In the latest movie we are given questions and no answers. And what's worse Neo has new powers that we apparently don't even need to understand. For example, we find out right away that Neo can fly. Gee, that's cool. But how did he learn to fly? It doesn't matter. Neo is "The One" and that's it. That's all you need to know for now.
He seems to have no problem beating the agents, even when they multiply in droves. He doesn't get captured, or come perilously close to death or face the threat of any other grave harm. Is he Christ? Apparently he is, and if you need to know more then you are a non-believer and you aren't welcome in the Church of the Matrix.
Is the Matrix about religious worship? Oh, come on. You have to ask?
When Neo first enters the Matrix in the new movie the Wachowski Brothers flash us an image (in a street scene) of a painting of Christ, just in case (I suppose) there are two or three people left in the world who haven't picked up on the religious overtones of the first movie. And Neo is wearing a flowing black robe through most of the movie. So yes, the movie is about religion. But wait, there's more!
In addition to the unsubtle references to Christ or monks, we also get a flashing image of George Bush at one point (is that a "political point"?). And then there is Ms. Merovingian's use of a silver bullet while the background TV in the room is showing an old Dracula movie (gee is there "a connection" between the silver bullet and Vampires? Is she a Vampire? And how does that figure into the whole philosophy of the Matrix?). And, finally, there is a quick reference to the old 70s Cop show "One Adam 12" during the freeway chase scene. Religion, Politics, Vampires, Old TV Cop shows: I wonder how they are all related to the Matrix?
Oooh, it's a mystery!
Perhaps the final Matrix episode will reveal, in one elaborate ballet, the Complete Truth of Everything. Perhaps we will then be able to separate the true plot questions from the offhand socio-cultural references. Then again, maybe not.
- Matrix Reloaded Misfires
- Published: May 16, 2003
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- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Action, Video: SF
- Writer: Ernest Svenson
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Comments on this articleComments
The vampire expert raises her hand... Silver bullets have nothing to do with vampires. They're for werewolves. For christsake.
But of course you're right with all the Christian motives. I like long black coats, but when I saw this one in the trailers I was instantly reminded of a monk.
Anyway, Reloaded will only hit cinemas around here next week, so I'll have to wait a bit longer:(
Monica Bellucci personally stated that her character, Persephone, and the Merovingian are like [emotional] vampires. There is definitely a connection between her and the movie in the background. The character she kills may or may not be a werewolf-type program, the actors certainly looked close enough to the classical werewolf-in-manform.
Re: Comment Number 1
No scene with Neo in it is really suspenseful. I thought they were all boring, actually. The Freeway scene was good precisely because Neo wasn't involved until the very end (and when you knew he was going to arrive, you knew it was going to be at the last second and nothing bad was going to happen). Neo is actually very disappointing because even though he can supposedly manipulate the Matrix in any way he wishes, he doesn't, for the most part. He can stop a thousand bullets flying at him, but when someone swings a sword at him, he can't stop that too? The fight scenes would be much more interesting (though, also, much shorter) if Neo would bend/break the rules of the Matrix to do more than just make himself really fast and strong. A disappointingly stupid and unimaginative god.
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I would just like to point out to you that Neo flew at the end of the first Matrix, so he didn't just up and out of no where started flying in Matrix Reloaded. If you were to call out the flaw of his new found powers, the question should, thus, be poised right at the end of the first Matrix. Anyway, I believe it's naturally assumed that Neo can manipulate the Matrix anyway he wants, so thus, he can fly or stop bullets for that matter.
I do admit that it is strange to have a movie where the hero is automatically invincible at the get-go of the movie, but the suspense comes from the vulnerability of those around him. It's like Superman, invincible himself, but his feelings for those around him provides the dangerous aspect of the storyline.
Anyway, I do agree with you how this movie definitely isn't a stand alone movie. Within the first five minutes, the first thought that came to my head (other than that the scene of Trinity falling out of the the building being excessively long) was that, if I hadn't seen the first Matrix, I wouldn't know what the heck is going on.