Typically over-rated film

Rating: 2/10 (28 December 2006)

I saw this film on its release, and I have to admit, i was impressed with what I saw. But, this was 7 years ago, I was but a young, impressionable teenage whose questions had to be answered by the latest quasi, pseudo relevant material that certain elements of the media decree are 'good', and so champion it beyond its 'merits'.
Looking back at it now, i have to wonder at what seems to be somewhat dangerous religious overtones. The last surviving outpost for 'free' humans is a city called Zion. Everything about the characters reeks of 'discipleness'. You have a Jesus figure (Morpheus) who has 'freed' a number of humans (akin to disciple's with their belief in his infallibility). Then, rather bizarrely a second Jesus figure emerges in the guise of 'Neo'. Then, a prophet, or 'oracle' turns up just to mystify things further (or rather, to make it plainly clear that the plot has lost all sense of direction and purpose). The idea that we are 'controlled' by others, or that we are submissive slaves to a higher 'power' is neither new nor thought provoking, and especially not so when represented in such a pitifully weak manner. Are we expected to believe that 'our saviour' will just happen to be 'born' and has our best interests at heart? Sound like a familiar story? (I haven't seen the sequels and don't wish to.) The film tries to marry breath taking visuals (which I have to say, although technically good, lack originality! See movies by John Woo and you'll know what I mean) with the undertone of religious martyrdom, with the intention of? I'm not sure, because upon second viewing the movie left me with a bitter taste (a pill I couldn't swallow if you like) in my mouth. Nothing was resolved, the characters hadn't developed into anything, you got the impression they were all waiting for Neo to 'burst' into action, and it looked on screen like Keanu was waiting for it too...
All in all, a very underwhelming experience, sometimes worrying in its subliminal undertones and allusions to religious archetypes as saviours. Unlikely that the masses who heap acclaim on this movie as 'trendy' and 'cool' will see past its hollow questions and non-existent answers and continue to believe that its 'mindblowing stuff'. Which, in a way, is even more worrying because its seems that people no longer want an engaging cinema experience, just cheap thrills and 'hip' style is enough these days...