Conghaileach
27th May 2003, 14:05
This article has some spoilers for 'The Matrix Reloaded'. - CB
"The Matrix Re-Loaded"
2003
May 18, 2003
We were very worried that this sequel to the original "Matrix" would lose too much or change directions too much. As we read the critics describe all the action scenes and sex, we realized before it opened that this part II would make much money. After making the original, the directors deserved to make a lot of money and gain influence the Amerikkkan way with sex, romance and violence. The combination of dance, martial arts and special effects is once again trend-setting and we won't mention it again in this review.
Rebutting the critics
There was at least one critic who did not like the fact that "Re-Loaded" called on some Christian imagery only to make Zion into one writhing dance and sex party. In contrast, we were thankful for the short prayer, followed by Morpheus's fairly grounded speech, after which sex and sexy dancing were the order of the day.
Morpheus makes a speech to the masses of Zion in which he says he has confidence in face of a massive robot attack, because humyns have been fighting the machines for a long time and they are still alive, not because of any belief that he has regarding prophecies. Thus while Morpheus is zealous, he proves sober-minded.
We will also defend the Wachowski brothers against some critics who nitpicked this and that about superheroes. In contrast with most comic strips and Hollywood directors exploiting the idea of superhero, the Wachowskis show us how Neo came to be from an ordinary humyn step-by-step. Granted, Neo arrives in the future after humyns have learned how to do a lot of things they cannot do now, most importantly, loading computer information into the backs of their necks.
Most superheroes in the arts arise out of pure philosophical idealism and individualism. In "Re-Loaded," we learn that Neo can see all the subcomponent parts of the Matrix and thus we are not surprised that he can fly--the most criticized aspect of the film. We're also not surprised that he chooses to fight the 100 agent Smiths to learn about them instead of just flying away. The enemy does the same thing to him--arranging fights just to learn something.
Odd threads
At the heroes' dinner with one of the enemy computer programs, we learn perhaps some of the rationale behind Trinity's name. The enemy starts by greeting Morpheus, then Neo and finally adds Trinity. It becomes clear that without her there would not be three.
On the other hand, regarding any parallel to the Catholic trinity, at the end of the movie, we see conflict between Neo and Morpheus as Neo spills the bad news that he did not inevitably defeat the whole Matrix as Morpheus thought; although he still has 24 hours --presumably in Matrix III-- to do the job.
In fact, much to our delight, "Re-Loaded" put any fantasies about "oracles" and fate in their proper place. Even the Oracle is connected to computer programs. It turns out that not all computer programs are completely compatible with each other. The only question Neo has to deal with is whether or not the Oracle is a plot against humyns by the machines or not.
In place of the question of fate, the Wachowski brothers now give us the question of causality or "why we do what we do." Unfortunately, the enemy seems to be the rational side in this movie, and Neo takes up the role of the irrational humyn in denial, as the enemy computer Architect points out.
In the past, Neo denied that the humyn was a source of heat energy used in a vast system controlled by robots. He thought his choices in the Matrix were real. However, Neo learned to surpass that attitude of his and accept the truth about the Matrix. In part III, we are hoping Neo can learn something from the enemy in Part II and advance yet further in the spiral of development.
Neo's choices
In part I, Neo chose to sacrifice himself to save Morpheus for the good of his species. It turned out that he survived his altruism.
In part II, he gave up the good of the species for his love Trinity. One could say he made the same choice in Part I, because in both cases he chose the individual he knew over the abstraction. On the other hand, in Part I, he believed the abstraction false, because the Oracle told him he was not "The One." Hence, he never chose between the abstraction and Morpheus. He simply made an altruistic act toward the species by trying to save Morpheus at the cost of what he thought would be his own life. In fact, by sacrificing his own life he was choosing "the abstraction" of the greater good of the species.
The focus on sex and romance in "Re-Loaded" is definitely a downer. Neo chooses his sexual love above everything else and that seems to be merged into some vestigial Christian imagery.
We are not unhappy with how Neo looked inside Trinity as a mass of electrons to save her life. The fact that he does so in connection to love and not as an ordinary duty in combat is what distresses us. It leaves us wondering if he would not make the same effort for others caught in the Matrix. One fellow, the Keymaker shot by enemies in the Matrix before Trinity is not so fortunate: Neo leaves him for dead.
Under-discussed themes
There were a few points that critics I read did not seem to cover. One interesting point is the title of the movie, which makes some sense in light of Neo's discussion with the Matrix architect. Computers keep re-loading altered software in order to control humyns better. Neo's enemies get better in fighting and systems of control expand and vary.
The most important point that seems to have passed by the critics is that Neo ends the movie fighting outside the matrix. He stops robot warriors in their tracks. Trinity picks up Neo in a coma--outside the Matrix--and says she cannot explain what happened.
Perhaps we are in for some explanations of how what Neo learned in the Matrix world is now changing his corporeal self outside the brain connected to the Matrix. In a few months, in part III, we will know.
This does not have to be the only review of "Re-Loaded." Send us your communist ideas about the "Matrix."
(Edited by CiaranB at 2:35 pm on May 27, 2003)
"The Matrix Re-Loaded"
2003
May 18, 2003
We were very worried that this sequel to the original "Matrix" would lose too much or change directions too much. As we read the critics describe all the action scenes and sex, we realized before it opened that this part II would make much money. After making the original, the directors deserved to make a lot of money and gain influence the Amerikkkan way with sex, romance and violence. The combination of dance, martial arts and special effects is once again trend-setting and we won't mention it again in this review.
Rebutting the critics
There was at least one critic who did not like the fact that "Re-Loaded" called on some Christian imagery only to make Zion into one writhing dance and sex party. In contrast, we were thankful for the short prayer, followed by Morpheus's fairly grounded speech, after which sex and sexy dancing were the order of the day.
Morpheus makes a speech to the masses of Zion in which he says he has confidence in face of a massive robot attack, because humyns have been fighting the machines for a long time and they are still alive, not because of any belief that he has regarding prophecies. Thus while Morpheus is zealous, he proves sober-minded.
We will also defend the Wachowski brothers against some critics who nitpicked this and that about superheroes. In contrast with most comic strips and Hollywood directors exploiting the idea of superhero, the Wachowskis show us how Neo came to be from an ordinary humyn step-by-step. Granted, Neo arrives in the future after humyns have learned how to do a lot of things they cannot do now, most importantly, loading computer information into the backs of their necks.
Most superheroes in the arts arise out of pure philosophical idealism and individualism. In "Re-Loaded," we learn that Neo can see all the subcomponent parts of the Matrix and thus we are not surprised that he can fly--the most criticized aspect of the film. We're also not surprised that he chooses to fight the 100 agent Smiths to learn about them instead of just flying away. The enemy does the same thing to him--arranging fights just to learn something.
Odd threads
At the heroes' dinner with one of the enemy computer programs, we learn perhaps some of the rationale behind Trinity's name. The enemy starts by greeting Morpheus, then Neo and finally adds Trinity. It becomes clear that without her there would not be three.
On the other hand, regarding any parallel to the Catholic trinity, at the end of the movie, we see conflict between Neo and Morpheus as Neo spills the bad news that he did not inevitably defeat the whole Matrix as Morpheus thought; although he still has 24 hours --presumably in Matrix III-- to do the job.
In fact, much to our delight, "Re-Loaded" put any fantasies about "oracles" and fate in their proper place. Even the Oracle is connected to computer programs. It turns out that not all computer programs are completely compatible with each other. The only question Neo has to deal with is whether or not the Oracle is a plot against humyns by the machines or not.
In place of the question of fate, the Wachowski brothers now give us the question of causality or "why we do what we do." Unfortunately, the enemy seems to be the rational side in this movie, and Neo takes up the role of the irrational humyn in denial, as the enemy computer Architect points out.
In the past, Neo denied that the humyn was a source of heat energy used in a vast system controlled by robots. He thought his choices in the Matrix were real. However, Neo learned to surpass that attitude of his and accept the truth about the Matrix. In part III, we are hoping Neo can learn something from the enemy in Part II and advance yet further in the spiral of development.
Neo's choices
In part I, Neo chose to sacrifice himself to save Morpheus for the good of his species. It turned out that he survived his altruism.
In part II, he gave up the good of the species for his love Trinity. One could say he made the same choice in Part I, because in both cases he chose the individual he knew over the abstraction. On the other hand, in Part I, he believed the abstraction false, because the Oracle told him he was not "The One." Hence, he never chose between the abstraction and Morpheus. He simply made an altruistic act toward the species by trying to save Morpheus at the cost of what he thought would be his own life. In fact, by sacrificing his own life he was choosing "the abstraction" of the greater good of the species.
The focus on sex and romance in "Re-Loaded" is definitely a downer. Neo chooses his sexual love above everything else and that seems to be merged into some vestigial Christian imagery.
We are not unhappy with how Neo looked inside Trinity as a mass of electrons to save her life. The fact that he does so in connection to love and not as an ordinary duty in combat is what distresses us. It leaves us wondering if he would not make the same effort for others caught in the Matrix. One fellow, the Keymaker shot by enemies in the Matrix before Trinity is not so fortunate: Neo leaves him for dead.
Under-discussed themes
There were a few points that critics I read did not seem to cover. One interesting point is the title of the movie, which makes some sense in light of Neo's discussion with the Matrix architect. Computers keep re-loading altered software in order to control humyns better. Neo's enemies get better in fighting and systems of control expand and vary.
The most important point that seems to have passed by the critics is that Neo ends the movie fighting outside the matrix. He stops robot warriors in their tracks. Trinity picks up Neo in a coma--outside the Matrix--and says she cannot explain what happened.
Perhaps we are in for some explanations of how what Neo learned in the Matrix world is now changing his corporeal self outside the brain connected to the Matrix. In a few months, in part III, we will know.
This does not have to be the only review of "Re-Loaded." Send us your communist ideas about the "Matrix."
(Edited by CiaranB at 2:35 pm on May 27, 2003)