Theories & Interpretations

Rating: 7/10 (20 May 2003)

(Here there be Spoilers)
The Matrix Reloaded is a good movie, and not as disappointing as I « second thought ». I came out of the theatre awed. Looking back I was disappointed. Now I am more ambivalent. The sequel to the Matrix « a les défauts de ses qualités » (I, too, love the French language) - has the weaknesses of its strengths : it is a mind-blowing movie.
The action scenes are so well-done they are breathtaking. But they take so much space it's hard to concentrate on the plot developments. But they are there if one remembers to keep his mouth shut while being awed, and his mind working.
Time . Time is a recurring theme in the Matrix Reloaded. It appears right at beginning while we enter the Matrix with the « code » revealing a clock. Then we see all those security guard being ordered by that clock as they punch in their time-cards. The theme recurs a few times throughout the movie. If you want to know more about the insidiousness of the measure/division of Time as a technology read Technopoly, by Neil Postman; it's an easy, short, and enlightening essay.
That infamous Rave/Sex Scene. That scene should definitely have been shorter. But it is not pointless as most people seem to think. Remember in the first movie the scene where Agent Smith is complaining how he can't escape the stink of humans ? This is what this scene is all about : a celebration of how Humans stink, sweat , rut.
The Agent Smiths in the Park fight scene. I have actually found some subtext here. Smith's comments about everything being about « Me! Me! ME! » and him infecting other people to bring down the « Enlightened » Neo could be transposed to our world where Individuality is prized, but the more Individualist people are , the more the are like everyone else they become. And how someone whose « mind has been freed » (to use the movie's tag line) cannot fight that trend on its terms and hope to win.
Most Humans would rather have someone else take their decisions for them. Neo is being worshipped even though he tries to tell them that they managed to save themselves. They don't want the responsibility.
The Wachowsky's read the same comics I do : Just to show how hip and clever I am. The Architect scene with the TV Screen wall is taken directly from two of my favourite comic books : The Master Planner revealing his whole plan to his adversary with TVs in the background ; that's from the Watchmen by Alan Moore. And at the end of that scene, the argument on the relevance of hope; that's from A Hope in Hell, an early issue of the Sandman by Neil Gaiman. Check these out!
Women and knowledge. Just as with Adam and Eve, choice is made possible through a woman : the Oracle. Persephone and Trinity both choose to « disobey » their mates. There is something here, although I do not see it. A comment on the pride and inflexibility of men? Or women being more able to look towards long-term goals? Something else? You tell me.

What I foresee in the Revolution. The teaser at the end of the credits doesn't give out much about the story. although that duel scene with the rows of Agent Smiths on each side really looks nice (especially if I am right about the Park fight scene). I am convinced Smith goals (whatever it is , whatever his allegiances lie) will be important to the third part of this epic. And I don't think there were any `Free Agents' in the the Matrix 1.0 through 1.5. Also, the Architect's speech to Neo might give some clues. Is he telling the truth? Is Zion a Matrix within the Matrix to allow the most rebellious minds to be content in a deeper illusion of free-will ? Or is he just trying to quell all hope in Neo's spirit?
And what about Neo's coma, and his abilities outside the Matrix? Is it because he is still in another Matrix? Or his body and mind have more potential that we know and his training in the Matrix has allowed him to develop « real » super-human powers? Will he be able to share /teach those abilities to allow everyone to free themselves?
6 months to go.