The Matrix Explained???

gmorris

Gregure, welcome to the forum.

What you said is very insightful, and is very similar to what is said in the essays. (links on previous page) I will have to agree with you.

The only thing I disagree with is "a bit empty beyond special effects". The symbolism & religious undertones of the trilogy are more abundant than the special effects themselves.

Here is a question for you to wrap your mind around, What is it that allows Neo to "defeat" Smith in their final fight scene?

gregure

Gmorris,

Thanks for the welcome. I have to admit I did not take the time to read the essays, but I always thought that Neo defeats Smith because they are opposites, Neo brings balance back to the machine world. By joining with Smith, he cancels him out, and they both are erased, bringing order back to the machines. That's what seemed apparent to me.
As far as the film being empty, I suppose it has a lot more going for it than other films of equal or greater spectacle, it just seems kind of pointless to me. The themes being represented are so specific to this sci-fi world the brothers have created, that the films don't really convey a greater meaning that can be applied to individuals. That is certainly the case if 2/3 of the audience doesn't even understand the plot, let alone the subtextual messages. I guess that's what I meant by empty.

gmorris

gregure,

You should really read the essays. I think you will really enjoy them. I'm not saying they are 100% correct, as the Bros. Wachoski did not write them. But everything you say is VERY similar to the essays. You must be a smart cookie.

I'll agree that 2/3 the audience does't "get it". I'd say more like 95%. I myself didn't get it until I read the essays, and participated in thr'ds like this one.

Good to have another intellectual on board.

Late,
Greg M

dholmes

At the end of the battle between Neo & Smith, why was the Oracle laying there ,was it because Smith absorbed her? thanks

gmorris

that is a good question.

I'm going to re-read the essays, and see if I can't come up with an answer to that. I wondered the same thing myself.

gregure

Still haven't had a chance to read the essay's (sorry its state testing week in the schools, kind of busy), but I think the answer is relatively simple. Once Smith was eradicated by Neo, all of the people he had absorbed (or infected) returned to normal. It stands to reason that because the Oracle was the most powerful and knowledgable program that Smith infected, the original Smith was transferred to her. The Oracle became the original, or at least the main Smith, because she was the most powerful. Therefore, when Neo entered him/her, he released the Oracle from Smith's control. Can't think of any other explanation.