It's the association of fiction with facts that makes this film so incredible and fulfilling to watch...

Rating: Null/10 (4 November 2003)

I went to the screening with the advice to think of 'Thomas Anderson' as name derived from the Greek word "andras" - to mean 'man,' thus Neo could, perhaps, be a personification of "son of man." I was even told to see Neo as having been saved/resurrected by a kiss from a character called Trinity in the previous film. This concluding film begins where it left off at 'Matrix Reloaded.' At long last, the task of analyzing the trilogy becomes easier with this stunning conclusion of the trilogy. "Everything that has a beginning has an end." This film does offer the end. It gives sense to what Neo is all about. It reveals his purpose and that through his discovery of his purpose, the audience can start piecing together the symbolic purposes of Morpheus, Trinity, Agent Smith, and the Bane character. It's through their dialogue and actions in this film, the philosophical and theological meanings of trilogy become clear, opening up the reality that the salvation of human beings is only possible as a result of one essential deed of Neo. This film captures a lot of important themes: will power and faith, death, betrayal, the Coming of Christ - themes that make the audience realize the power of faith is greater than the dreamer's will. Even the definition of 'Matrix' comes clear with this film. I thought that the inclusion if the 'holy-child' Sati is clever as her final appearance and dialogue unlocks the important message this film is giving.
One has to see this film to believe how extreme, advanced and complex digital technology can be. The film exposes the audience to an incredibly explosive journey through loads of uncannily mind-blowing CGI special effects, artwork and phenomenal groundbreaking actions. Definitely an unforgettable impact for the eyes! This stunning conclusion takes Neo on a journey that includes his search of the Architect (perhaps the aggressive God of the Gnostic gospel), his reunion with the Agents (Herod, as defined in New Testament, to mean the many rulers connected with the early history of Christianity?) then to what appears to be a train station ('No Man's Land' where trains do depart for Tibet?), his trip to Hel - all in his quest to save the citizens of Zion and the rebels.
Just watching the swarms of sinister steely, octopus-like Sentinels rage upon the Zion military and the volunteers, with such astounding forces, is worth the price of a regular tix. The spectacularly dramatic war siege is like nothing I've seen before on screen. The hypnotic sounds of the music scores compliment the exhilarating experience further. The characters are very interesting to follow. Hugo Weaving offers some unusual dark humor to his Smith character(s).
Matrix plunges the viewers to the `Womb' (Garden of Eden?) of Adam and Eve's original sin. Humans have used knowledge for materialism and bringing artificial intelligence and deceit that's enhanced by the construction of someone else's creation. The 'womb' then becomes the breeding ground for intelligent machines are generating electricity from humans. Matrix Reloaded explores freewill and determinism and speaks of the coming of the prophesized messiah called Thomas Anderson (Greek "andras" for man, thus "son of man.") who will be saved by a character called Trinity. It's the resurrected Neo that can defeat the evil agents within the Matrix. Both the first and second films seem to stress on humanity's problem as "sleeping in ignorance in a dreamworld." Only by waking up to wisdom and enlightenment can bring solution to that problem. The second of the trilogy reveals that freedom, of choice and dignity can have their implications. This third film harps on the One, who, by reason of his destiny, learns that what appears to be the real world is an illusion he has to manipulate with his will. It also highlights on the concept of human faith vs. the dreamer's will and offers an insight to what it means by destiny, choice, purpose and the will to belief. It's watching human faith replacing the dreamer's will.

Is it impossible for the humans to rid themselves of their own created problems? What if they don't come to terms with their religious beliefs and faith? The audience sees a Neo discovering his purpose. He must take control of his unconscious dream world, face reality and recognize his ultimate destiny. He has to make the powerful Agent Smiths subject to his will in order to fulfill his destiny of suffering, dying and ultimately resurrecting. Is Neo a symbolic Christ who'll save those willing to have faith in him? Seems likely. Could the Matrix actually be a representation of the Garden of Eden where man's original sin sets forth the human suffering? Is Ian Bliss' Bane a symbol of the biblical Judas, perhaps, who'll prevent Neo from showing the way for the rest of humanity? Is Laurence Fishburne's Morpheus the Peter, or head of the Church, who'll keep reminding the world to hold their faith in the Savior and await his coming? What about Agent Smith? Could he be a personification of the mighty Herod? Herod, in the New Testament, was the name of many rulers connected with the early history of Christianity. Perhaps, that explains the many Smith clones encountered onscreen. As for the last few lines from the young Sati. are they intended to remind us of Christ's resurrection? Is Sati supposed to become the 'Golden Child', chosen as the next Dalai Lama? Even this last of the trilogy doesn't really offer an easy explanation to the Wachowski brothers' intended philosophical and theological meanings. One viewer's guess is as good as another. and that's why their three films are so amazingly interesting. "Everything that has a beginning has an end." This film does offer the end. I had a terrific time watching and analyzing the characters and actually felt totally 'fulfilled' at its finale. I'D LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS FILM!!! A