The Matrix

If the 1999 epic “Matrix” ranks first on the list of my top 20 favorite movies of all times, it’s not just because I liked the special effects, but because I believe that despite its bleak description of our world, it’s probably also one of the most accurate ever to have been portrayed in any movie.
The vast majority of people live in an artificially created mindset that was ingrainded in them over decades, and to get out of it is just about as cumbersome as Neo’s exit from the “Matrix.”

I remember the first time I saw the Matrix pretty much exactly 10 years ago, I knew I had seen something very special. I had watched films before that had had a touch of the supernatural, almost like a message form God, like Zeffirelli’s “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” and a few others, but this was special, and there have been very few movies since, that got anywhere near the deep spiritual significance of the Matrix, as far as I’m concerned.

Don’t get me wrong, I know all about the way the powers that be use Hollywood and all that goes with it to manipulate the masses.

But I believe that there is a greater Matrix that envelopes the smaller matrix of the NWO schemers and their god: the bigger Picture of God, that happens to include the picture of our present reality including its evils, and that when it comes down to it, the Devil is just playing a part if God’s plan, whether he wants or not.

Which doesn’t mean I’m a fatalist, either; nor can I say exactly to what extent free choice effects destiny or vice versa.

As much as we hate it: we have to leave some of the facts and details up to God & trust we’ll find them out in His good time…

Some people didn’t understand all the rave and ado about it. They didn’t get it then and they don’t get it now. They figured, “Cool effects,” but they prefer “Lord of the Rings” or “Star Wars.” I guess it’s like musical taste: some liked the Beatles, some liked the Stones, or some like Britney…

Matrix was a movie you’ve had to watch it a few times until you really got all the details.

Back then I was still with one foot in the System and one on a banana peel.

But with all that has happened since then, you might say I’m definitely unplugged now (as in living by faith).

Back then, I may have known the way in theory, but I hadn’t really begun to walk in it yet.

I had some rough thoughts and ideas about how the dark forces are manipulating us from behind the scenes, but I wasn’t aware to what extent.

I was affiliated with what you might call “The Resistance,” but I wasn’t nearly as active a part in it as now.

Not until 9/11.

In a way, having seen the Matrix was perfect preparation for not falling for the lies they told us since 9/11.

While the towers were still burning, Rumsfeld spoke of “retaliation.” And I knew that what I was watching was propaganda. – The machines at work.

Six months later we watched television for the last time in our home.

We unplugged ourselves from the current of the mainstream media brainwash and started getting plugged in to the line of communication with the “Top,” call it Zion, call it Heaven…

…Call it Jesus. I guess if Neo represents any one thing it’s Jesus, but also what Jesus can do through each one of us if we dare to let go of the lie they have told us all our lives and believe that “There is no spoon.”

– The knowledge of the Matrix being a fake enables you to do things that most people in the Matrix can’t do.

I’ve often wondered if that’s what perhaps empowered Jesus to walk on water, etc.: the knowledge that there is no spoon. If our physical world was just a bunch of encoded information (and they’re finding out that there are gigabytes worth of information in every living cell… who knows what we’ll yet find out about the make-up of our universe…), and He knew the code (since He had obviously written it: “In the beginning was the Word = logos = information…”) then the program He had written was subject to Him, and it was not that He was – as we are – subject to or victim of the circumstances. – An idea that drives home the level to which His crucifixion was an absolutely voluntary sacrifice.

Similarly to the way Neo had to decide to risk (and give) his own life for his friend Morpheus, I have also learned since, how much truth there is in not thinking it’s you, or that we have to do it ourselves, but sometimes we just have to be there for someone else, and like Jesus said, be willing to lay down our lives for someone else, and that’s when all of a sudden you find yourself “in the way,” actually walking in it, not just merely talking about it or dreaming about it.

The big surprise at the end is that not even death can stop that kind of love, but it totally overcomes the Matrix and its agents. No wonder, if you keep in mind that God is love…

After a while of living in the consciousness of the extent of the Lie, the fake steak of the Matrix becomes meaningless to you, and money – since you know it’s just part of the lie – becomes almost irrelevant, and in its present form on its way to history, anyway.

Since Obama, the powers that are working on introducing the new global economic order have shifted to turbo, and it’s not as if Revelation 13 was like Sci-Fi in some distant future anymore.

Other people apart from us “loonies” can actually see it happening somewhere in the not too distant future – the cashless society.

It’s exciting.

That’s another thing that has changed: I’m not scared anymore.

It’s like you just know everything is going to be okay, even if they kill you.

Similar to the plots of the sequels to the Matrix, the Resistance isn’t actually always as united as it should be, and many don’t believe in “the One,” or in anything supernatural, for that matter, and the enemy forces are sheer overwhelming in numbers; but that’s all the more reason why you can pretty much take for granted that this war isn’t going to be won by sheer power of force, nor with physical weapons.

The fact that Neo had to take the last steps of his way blind illustrated that it’s only by faith and not by sight that the final battle is going to be won, and that’s what many people just don’t want to see, because they think their own arm is strong enough, while their faith isn’t…

Regardless of whether the NWO mind-manipulators had their hands in the making of this trilogy, it wouldn’t be the first time that God used something the Devil would like to take the credit for.

Some people give the Devil too much credit and are too scared that God is some kind of weakling… They’re scared of the stars, scared of candles, scared of sex, scared of the wrong kind of music…

But we’re not going to win this war by being scared.

Sometimes the battle looks so hopeless, even the Enemy asks us,” why do you keep fighting?” Neo’s answer to Agent Smith, “Because I choose to” was not appreciated by everyone, but it’s our choice not to give in that is going to see anyone through in the end.

You simply have to choose to keep fighting the Enemy. What other choice have you got? Quit? Surrender?

The message was, “Hell, no, we haven’t even yet begun to fight,” even if not with those words…

The one thing I didn’t like was the ending of the trilogy. A cop-out. A truce between the Resistance and the machines, which in the Matrix scenario may have been the only realistic solution, but it won’t be in the real battle.

Some people hold a grudge against God because of the bloodshed depicted in the book of Revelation or Ezekiel, and hate the God Who would allow any such thing to happen.

They would prefer for good and evil to coexist peacefully together in some sort of lukewarm truce. But I sometimes wonder if they ever dig anything at all of what life is teaching us.

I remember reading Revelation as a teen, and I felt very much like Neo did in the scene of movie when he finds out just what the Matrix is, and the first thing he does is throw up.

It’s a toughie, facing the reality of our world as God sees it, also, or especially in regard to its impending future (preceding the happy ending) as He foretells it (see Revelation 19-21). And not many people have the guts to face that reality.

But the only way we’re ever going to have peace and any type of victory is if we have enough guts to hate evil, and if nothing else in this world will ever teach us to do that, I’m afraid the coming years most certainly will.

There IS no spoon!

Last updated: 2010-03-13 07:44:24 by McDozer

BACK COVER SYNOPSIS: "One of the best ten science-fiction films of the century" - Paul LePetit, The Sunday Telegraph. "A Visually Adrenalised Roller Coaster Ride." - Jeffrey Wells, Showbiz Confidential.

FILM REVIEW: Returning to 1999, the mass audience was awaiting with unbridled anticipation the return of Star Wars with the eagerly awaited Episode I: The Phantom Menace. But before George Lucas' continuing epic hit theatres a surprise packet of a sci-fi film hit the screens a month or so before called "The Matrix" and arguably trumped Episode I, at least in terms of storytelling. Cleverly marketed with the tagline: "What is the Matrix? You'll just have to see it for yourself...", this film became a solid hit before turning in to a massive hit on DVD. What was it about his film that engrossed audiences? There are many answers but for the most part it's just exhilarating to watch, delivers on a lot of sci-fi genre conventions with style, and managed to introduce a new type of shot called 'bullet-time' where shots change speed and angle in a very unusual way that add a lot to the unique world of The Matrix.
"The Matrix" is essentially a comic book hero story fused with a high-tech concept. The main character, Neo (Keanu Reeves) is busy trying to uncover the mystery of 'The Matrix'. He knows it will help him uncover the secrets to his life and why not everything is right with the world. He eventually seeks out supposed terrorist Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) who shows him what the Matrix really is: a massive power plant where human society has been transformed in to batteries to supply fuel and energy for their machine overloads, with the Matrix being a computer program designed to keep the brains of the humans occupied so they don't question their existence. Neo learns that he has special gifts which make him super-human and together with Morpheus and his crew, that set out on a journey to battle the machines from within the Matrix.
The story itself is an amalgamation of several pre-existing stories. Neo is the classic comic book hero character. The idea of machines ruling us or destroying our way of life was presented in the 'Terminator' films (this is perhaps one down-side - when the big reveal is made at about the 45 minute mark, you will get the feeling of, "oh come on, this was done in Terminator!"). The idea of virtual reality has been presented before but not as successfully as here. But this film really shines in keeping all of that a mystery for the first forty minutes, exploring themes of 'what is life?' and 'what is real?'. For an audience, it's such an extravagant idea yet being so based in reality you wonder whether there's something more to your life than meets the eye. As a result, this is film that actually makes you think a little bit. Not bad for a sci-fi actioner.
After the cerebral stuff, the film turns in to a special effects/action extravaganza with some of the most thrilling images you're likely to see on film and action sequences that are not only gripping to watch but are actually fused in to the narrative in a way that makes sense to the story rather than being an orgy of non-related action sequences that have come to plague so many films. It's also just plain cool with the action scenes pumping along to a rock-punk soundtrack.
The cast is a well-assembled bunch. Keanu Reeves leads the pack as Neo and does well in having a sense of disbelief throughout most of the proceedings. Laurence Fishburne is perfect as rebel leader Morpheus who is somewhat Yoda like in tone and dialogue. And Trinity is one cool chick who can not only kick ass but is intelligent enough to influence what's going on. And of course, there's Hugo Weaving as bad guy Agent Smith. You can tell he's having a lot of fun with the character and is a perfect foil to Reeves' more understated performance.
The Wachowski Brothers wanted to do a real-life Japanese Manga animation and they have succeeded brilliantly with 'The Matrix'. It's almost impossible to describe the sequences they have put on screen but it suffices to say they introduced a new visual vocabulary for action films that many others have since copied. The subway sequence where Neo takes on the seemingly indestructible Agent Smith for the first time, or when Neo and Trinity shoot their way past security in a heavily fortified building, or when Morpheus and Neo are in training in a simulated Matrix are not only spectacular to watch but have so much dramatic relevance to the story that it's hard to not be swept up in it all.
This is a great film that will not disappoint.

TECHNICAL REVIEW: This disc is nothing short of perfection in the transfer department. The picture is crystal clear perfect, and the audio is a real delight, especially with the amount of detail with each individual sound during every scene in the film. When you hear the rain drops coming from the rear speaker during an early scene in the film you'll appreciate how much care has been put in to creating this soundtrack. Make sure you turn up the volume! A brilliant job in every department.

EXTRAS REVIEW: We have a decent collection of extras on this disc, including a 30 minute documentary on the making of the film, audio commentaries with the cast and crew (but sadly not the directors!), featurettes on 'bullet-time' (the system designed for the film to create its unique shots), behind the scenes featurettes which can be accessed while watching the film, a music-only track with commentary, english subtitles and cast/crew biographies. The extras focus more on the technical aspects of the production and the directors are unfortunately hiding in the background for a lot of it but at least you get an insight in to the making of this film.

BOTTOM LINE: Worth having in the collection.

FILM RATING: 9/10 -- EXTRAS RATING: 7.5/10 -- OVERALL DVD RATING: 8.5/10 

Todd Murphy <br />
http://www.allaboutmovies.net

Reason why I don’t take pills, or trust guys that wear sunglasses  indoors. In this complex story that aspires to mythology, a computer hacker  (Keanu Reeves) searches for the truth behind the mysterious force known  as the Matrix. He finds his answer with a group of strangers led by the  charismatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne).
This movie is someting of a sci-fi classic. It features so many great  special effects that look so unreal at points that you don’t even know  how they did it, even until this day. The Wachowski Brothers really make  something extraordinary here by blending all these different kinds of  gneres together. There is all this cyber-punk stuff going down, mixed  with Bruce Lee kung-fu action fighting, and a little bit of noir mixed  with a scene of spaghetti western here.
The way that the special effects are used are so beautiful in the way  they look. Wachowski Brothers pretty much just use about anything from  models, to cuts, to name well they used it and all of basically works  here. I mean they took almost every 20th century sc-fi material they  could get and just make such a run for it, its wonderful.
The Wachowski Brothers make a very good attempt at saying something  that we have seen many times before, but never like this. That is if  reality is just something we are living in our minds and if so how do we  run away from the dream to make it real. I give them major props for  trying to say something here but it’s kind of a let-down with its story  and pay-off. That’s why sometimes I felt the script could have been so  much better than what it actually was, because so many bad lines are  thrown out, I just had to laugh at times.
The action scenes in this are highly exceptional and were probably  the best parts of the film. The fight scenes are filmed in such a way  with stunts that happen so out there that even though there hard to  believe there still very awesome. Wachowski Brothers film the scenes by  using all these different cuts and showing the action as it happens  rather than just having one scene and go back and forth to another.
Say what you will about Keanu and how much of a terrible actor he is,  but he was born to play Neo. He is so cheesy with his confused act and  ultra-cheesy one liners that its hard not to see him as The Chosen One,  cause he handles it so well. Laurence Fishburne here is great as  Morpheus as the one leader who never loses his patience and mind no  matter how much crap is going down. Hugo Weaving gives a very sinister  performance here as Agent Smith who is engagingly odd, and plays one of  the best and most unusual villains of all-time.
Consensus: The Matrix has all the great things a  sc-fi film needs with beautiful cinematography, awesome and exciting  action, and good performances from the cast, even if the screenplay does  seem a bit of a let down.
9/10=Full Price!!!

life has its own ways of working out<br />
visit my movie review site at www.dtmmr.wordpress.com Feel Free to comment or request any movies at any time! :)

This is hands down one of the most creative films to ever be made. The plot, action, and special effects grab you from the beginning and don’t let up until the end credits roll.
Keanu Reeves is constantly getting criticized for his surfer boy type of acting. It actually works here, since Neo is, we assume, a bit of a slacker.
Laurence Fishbourne has come a long way since his role as Cowboy Curtis on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. I do believe this is my favorite of all his roles, and he’s had some really good ones.
Hugo Weaving is freakishly robotic as Agent Smith. The man really threw himself into this role.
The effects in this movie really set the movie on fire and have since inspired many parodies and imitators. Sadly, no one has been able to completely recreate them.
The action scenes, especially the climactic one at the end just take your breath away.
My criticism with this film, is that it leaves you confused as to what exactly the matrix is. However, the more I watch this movie, the more I wonder if that’s the purpose.
I highly recommend this to any and everyone. You won’t be disappointed.

http://thankyounetflix.wordpress.com

What is there to say after you see my ratings for this film? Besides the cast, everything is almost perfect!

I remember coming to my friend’s house for a visit and he told me that there is a film that’s about to come out called The Matrix...said he heard it’s going to be one of the best films ever and something different than we know. I really did not know how to act to it...I wasn’t that excited but I told myself I’ll watch it and see what the fuss is about.

Well...once I saw the film I was amazed! There was a time I used to watch it everyday...one time each day. My friend was right, it was something else...

The plot is the best thing in this film and once it hooks you in, you’re hypnotized by it. The special effects are briliant and there is a use of the bullet time for slow motion effects...the sound is terrific and my windows almost exploded...but who cares? This is a must see film!

Great scenes and special effects, perfect use of computer graphics, and a briliant plot that I find myself to this day wonder where is it I really live...is this The Matrix? Are my words now real or an illusion? Where is this and when? This is the briliance of the film, it makes you wonder about your own world and life long after it’s gone and that what makes the film great and a must see film to all!

The cast is ok but nothing more. I enjoy agent Smith a lot in this film but the other are medicore and nothing more...but this is no drama so I’ll give them a slack...

These are two hours and fifteen minutes you have to put in your calendar and watch the film, take my word for it, it will change your view on life...maybe for good...