Matrix is a Biblical allegory disguised in modern culture

Rating: 8/10 (6 November 2003)

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Despite what you may have heard, this movie makes sense. Here is what happens in a pure spoiler: People become so dependent upon machines that the machines threaten to enslave them. In an effort to destroy the machines, humans destroy every power source on the planet, including every living thing except bacteria. People are the only power supply available so the machines breed them and hook them up to a simulated world (the "Matrix") to keep them docile. Some people connected to the Matrix detect it and break free to form a society called Zion. These people have a limited ability to control the Matrix. One special person called Neo is born who has vastly greater powers. A program called the Oracle that understands human psychology sees a way to restore peace. She decides to help Neo. Neo inadvertantly creates a virus when he destroys an agent program named Smith. Smith reproduces exponentially and threatens to take over the Matrix. Neo sacrifices his life in order to destroy Smith and bring peace between man and machine.
Here are some minor quibbles: 1. Why wouldn't the machines lobotomize people rather than going to the effort to create the Matrix? A better explanation would have been that the machines use the brains of the humans as their computers. 2. How does it improve the film that Neo can connect to the Matrix without cranial implants? 3. Why does Neo need to go to the machine city to contact the machine boss? 4. How does it improve the film that programs can fall in love and have children?