The ultimate problem of the movie is the Matrix itself. Ironically the humans created the Artificial Intelligence which then takes over the human race. The Matrix created by the machines to deceive the human mind by placing their mind in neural interactive simulation program designed to control the human lives while literally sucking all life out. The machines take over the world and cultivate human beings as a food source. It’s like growing humans as mere vegetables with no capabilities to develop or emerge as prominent individuals.
From the beginning with Keanu Reeves as the One, begins to confuse me. Besides the fact that I never watched the Matrix before…His double identity revealed and people are suddenly attacking him with robotic bugs. Poor bellybutton, I bet it must’ve hurt. The whole idea of Neo being the One illustrates some concrete idea behind Daoism. What exactly is Daoism? Do I understand it? I thought I did, but apparently I really don’t. In theory, I looked at it as things happen, because they do. We can’t change that. Why is Neo the One? Why not Morpheus or even Trinity? I mean she’s kicking butt in the beginning of the movie. Of course, the woman has the play the back role, why couldn’t a woman be chosen as the One. Well until we get to the end of this movie, then we’ll see if my attitudes change for Mr. Reeves. I suppose Neo has been chosen as the One, because it’s the way of how Daoism may perceive it. He was chosen to be the one to destroy these machines and help humanity survive!
I guess I could say that Mr. Neo follows some Daoism principles by going with the flow. He may not really be a true fan of tree hugging, but he definitely goes with the flow. Just like the scene involving him to follow directions from Morpheus to escape his office from them evil Agents! They are quite scary, I would run too. I hate how their character talks so serious it makes them look so artificially fake.
Another thought aside from Daoism, is Neo suppose to be referred to as the One in relation to Jesus Christ? Both whom were resurrected and both represent as saviors of civilizations.
I told you after I looked at the reading list that you would have a hard time finding female heroines in this class. Some of the questions you have about the Matrix won't even be answered in this film. For some you would need to see the full trilogy to get the big picture. However, it does provide closure without needing to see the other two. If you are looking for female driven heroine roles like this year's Salt, I suggest two Geena Davis films from the early 1990s. The Long Kiss Goodnight is a spy thriller where she shows her best James Bond impressions. The other is Cutthroat Island which is a pirate film with her playing the Johnny Depp/Orlando Bloom type of role. I enjoyed both of them and they do a nice job with taking a traditionally male role and giving it a female spin. Of course the ultimate female heroine is probably Ripley in the Alien films. Incidentally, Ripley was written for a man and they changed it during casting because Sigourney Weaver wanted to read for it and the director realized that very little would need to be changed for a woman to play the role.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good eye to catch the Christ figure in Neo. It's a common trope in literature. We can see it in things from Harry Potter to Mission Impossible 2 to Cool Hand Luke.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that it is Morpheus who represents daoism and Neo is the acolyte whose trying to understand it. Neo's "whatever" attitude isn't what I see as a daoist philosophy. More, I see it as the whole idea that you have to go down the rabbit hole to see what exists on the outside. We'll see how this plays out in class.