My first impression of this movie The Matrix was "wow" because it was different from anything that I had seen before. My son and daughter loved it, but I wasn't a huge fan of science fiction movies and it took some getting use to. My daughter enjoyed the religious overtones, and my son enjoyed all of the action. I'd already had my fill of science fiction with my husband's Trekky days so I was not particularly happy to be sitting in the theatre once more. It kept my attention and I was exhausted from trying to figure it all out. When I first watched the movie, it was hard for me to follow, and my daughter would sigh and roll her eyes when I asked her a question about the movie. Now that I've watched the movie again, read movie reviews, and read a story summary, I have a better understanding of the movie. It is a cross between a science fiction thriller and a religious experience. I understand the meaning behind Neo being the new man or Jesus, Morpheus being the father figure, and Trinity being the spirit. Some things appeared blatant while others were not. All in all, The Matrix is a visit to the future where machines have taken over the world.
In answer to the question: why is this film so important to many people? From surfing the web, there are so many sites devoted to The Matrix and its sequels. I even remember my daughter wearing a black raincoat that was similar to Neo's and everyone called her Matrix. Movies have a great affect on the younger generation because they are so impressionable and they absorb so much because of their sponge-like nature. Children spend a great deal of time at the movies, discussing the movies, renting them, rewatching the DVDs, purchasing movie products, magazines, comics, and surfing the net. What I learned from Wikipedia is that The Matrix has so many spinoffs: video games, short Japanese films called The Animatrix, cartoons, comics, and the movie has a franchise where products related to the film can be purchased. When you google The Matrix, there are a lot of sites selling one thing or another. People are drawn to this movie because of its unique qualities, science fiction elements, religious overtones, and I think we are hoping that mankind can be saved from the machines. It's a thrilling adventure story with so many elements or motifs combined such as: philosophy, cyberspace, mythology, action films, martial arts, the mind and reality, and religion. I think there is something for everyone in this movie. It's highly creative and makes you think.
1 comment:
I really liked your last line, Patricia, about the creativity of the movie and the ways in which it can push you to think. I think that is an important part of the popularity of this movie and also an important change from more passive ways of thinking of fans. Many of the most popular stories -- Matrix, Harry Potter, even Star Trek have highly active and creative followers who extend their thinking through writing and role play. It's definitely a different way to think of "Trekkies" *grin*.
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