allegory for Christian faith

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2003)

Very clever plot and philosophical concepts discussed and illustrated, this movie is in some ways a work of genius that was unfortunately diminished by its excesses. All the overstimulation of machinery (overly long battles) and sometimes "over the top" melodrama took away from the great themes, plot and potential this story held. I would love to see the Bros. Wachowski try to do this kind of thing again, next time with the awareness that "less is more." The film included not only deep thoughts about personal choices and appointed time to die but even many allegories to the Christian faith, whether the writers knew it or not. No, there is no God the Father to whom Neo prays and is like in esssence. Yes, a couple other faiths are remotely linked. But it's amazing how the spiritual battle is accurately depicted and how Neo is more than just a prophet. I loved the depiction of blindness leading to increased sight and other inversions of perception, just as spiritual values are inverted from worldly materialism and perception. [POSSIBLE SPOILER:] Neo actually takes on the very form of evil in order to destroy it - just as Christ took the curse of sin and death on himself and was separated from God in order to win victory for the human race to triumph over evil. Remarkable and interesting writing -- just a little too much of a good thing, in a number of places.