See it for your mind or just for the stunning visual effects!

Rating: Null/10 (25 August 1999)

I am going to review the "Matrix" from a metaphysical angle. The movie starts with Trinity in room 303. Certain numbers had special meanings to the ancients, and this movie makes reference to those numbers. In the beginning of the movie, Thomas/Neo Anderson sees the world through the philosophy of English philosopher Locke who states that all matter, so far as we know it, is a mental condition, and the only reality that we know directly is the mind. Thus, human kind lives in bondage to the AI (Artificial Intelligence) machines. As Neo is shown the real world through guidance of Morpheus and Trinity, Neo becomes the "one" who will save humanity.
Neo lives in apartment 101. The number 101 translates to 2 (1+0+1 = 2 mystical math). The number 2 symbolizes dualism, conflict to the ancients. Thus, Neo must evolve to a higher level to solve this struggle. When Neo becomes the "one," he is in room 303. The number 303 translates to number 6 [(3+0+3) = 6]. The number 6 comprises the union of the two triangles (of fire and water) and hence signifies the human soul.
Matrix is a mixture of Eastern and Western philosophies and theologies. Morpheus the leader states that he has been looking for the reincarnation of the founder of Zion. This is a Buddhist concept analogous to the Tibetan monks who search for the reincarnated Dalai Lama. The Christian aspect is that Neo can be compared to the Messiah who will give up his life and be resurrected to save mankind.
Morpheus is a reference to Greek mythology in which Morpheus is the god of dreams. Morpheus will wake Neo from Matrix virtual dream world.

Trinity is a reference to number 3. The number 3 symbolizes spiritual synthesis, and represents the solution of the conflict posed by dualism. To the Christians it means the Father, Holy Ghost, and Son. Taoism is equated with the Yin (passive force, feminine), Yang (active force, masculine), and Yin-Yang is bounded by circle of stability combine to form a ternary system, the Tao.
Thus, Morpheus, Trinity, and Neo together overcome the Matrix as the they ascend to a higher level of understanding, and Neo becomes the "one" through opening of his mind. Neo's mind becomes Kantan - perception of reality is through active participation of the mind.
Neo is instructed by Trinity to follow the White Rabbit. This is a reference to Jefferson Airplanes' song "White Rabbit" (Surrealistic Pillow, 1967) in which singer Grace Slick refers to the different pills Alice can choose to make her 10 feet tall, small, or nothing at all. By following the white rabbit, Neo does have to make a choice between the Red or Blue pill offered by Morpheus. The Red Pill has many meanings: Christ's blood, suffering, excitement, danger. The Blue Pill refers to the Establishment, IBM Blue conservatism, coldness, safety. Neo has free will to make a choice that will lead him to different paths. Neo does not believe in fate. The choice one makes in different points in life leads to different life situations which in turn changes person's point of view.
The fourth main character is Cypher (short for Lucifer) who betrays the renegade freedom fighters for falsehood life in the Matrix. The number 4 means death in the East. Thus, Cypher causes death and dies himself.

The Oracle foreshadows the coming of the future as the Oracle of Delphi in Greek mythology foretold the future to the Greeks. Even Morpheus foreshadows the future by stating that when Neo is ready he won't have to dodge bullets.
When Neo is freed from the Matrix, Neo is born again into the real world by falling down through a watery birth canal tube. Neo falls into a pond symbolizing baptism. Morpheus' octagonal hovercraft lifts Neo into its safety. The number 8 (octagonal shape) symbolizes regeneration. In the Middle Ages, the number 8 was used as emblem of the waters of baptism. Thus, Neo is re-born, and begins to see the real world without the Matrix.

The hovercraft is named Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible was a Babylonian king who wakes up from a dream knowing the answer but doesn't know the question. In the Bible, prophet Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. In the movie, Morpheus and Trinity guide Neo to the question "What is Matrix?".
The 45 caliber gun used to kill Neo is commonly referred to 1911. 1911 (1+9+1+1) equals 12, and 12 (1+2) equals 3. The number 12 symbolizes wholeness in the West - apostles of Jesus Christ, months of year, signs of Zodiac (symbol of the cycle of existence). Thus, Neo is resurrected, and destroys Agent Smith, the leader of the Centium Programs (sentinels), by entering Agent Smith's body - a hacker breaking into a computer system and destroying the kernel of the system.
Neo becomes the Messiah (the "one") and arrives at Nirvana (one with the infinite universe), and now he can free mankind from bondage.

The main theme of this movie is that once you believe in yourself, then you can overcome any obstacles and achieve your goals.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone - see it for your mind or just for the stunning visual effects.