Searching for the Messiah

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2002)

Besides just being a stinkin' cool movie, The Matrix is a story of the coming of the Messiah. The film has references to many religions and philosophies, both Western and Eastern. That said, I believe The Matrix is primarily a mixture of Judaism and Christian themes, used to make the average moviegoer ponder his/her existence and reality.	First let me explain why I consider this movie a story of the Jews. All of Jewish history is of their oppression and the anticipation of their Messiah. In the film we are presented a race held as slaves by a stronger force. Those who realize they are in bondage talk of the prophecy of the coming of their Messiah. This Messiah will be a warrior who will overcome the oppressor. There are also references to the city of Zion, a place of refuge mentioned frequently in the Hebrew scriptures, and the ship is named Nebuchadnezzar, a king of Jerusalem found in the Old Testament book of Daniel.	In a sense the movie follows also bears the influence of Christianity. Besides the obvious reference in the name Trinity (only Christians believe in a triune God), they are some subtler hints as well. When the camera shows the Nebuchadnezzar's name plaque you may notice the reference to Mark 3:11. This verse from the Christian scriptures reads, `Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, You are the Son of God.' This is an interesting allusion to the Messiah and his power over evil forces which are hinted at during the film's final climax. Of course there is also Neo's death and resurrection which parallels that of Jesus'.
I also thought that this film was an interesting, though probably unintentional, knock against Gnosticism. Rather than transcending the physical to be only a mind, the goal in the film is to realize that to be truly living you must be more than just your thoughts. You must a whole person  the body is as important as the mind.	It seems the Wachowski brothers gathered pieces from many sources to create this fantastic work of cinematic art. This is a film that will be examined and speculated about for years to come. I wait with baited breath for the sequel.