16. The Matrix

This film intelligently makes us question our interpretation of reality and uses a range of philosophical concepts which combines classical Western literature and ancient Eastern thought to produce a modern masterpiece. Would you be able to tell the difference between dreams and reality if you could not wake and the dream was very realistic?

A stranger (Carrie-Anne Moss) guides a computer hacker who operates under the alias ‘Neo’ (Keanu Reeves) to an underworld in which he uncovers the truths that have been concealed from him his whole life. He realises he has been deceived by a cyber-intelligence which has enslaved humanity using illusions. Neo collaborates with a group of rebels led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) to destroy the illusions and return humans back to their reality.

This well-expressed film was the product of the minds of Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who directed and wrote the 1999 movie. The film was a success earning over $460m USD from the $63m budget. The films success can be attributed to the excellent cast in which Hugo Weaving stars as the antagonist, Agent Smith. Weaving has starred in earlier high-ranking films on the IMDb list as Elrond in the Lord of the Rings. The fact that this film has also scored so highly, given that it is a completely different genre is indicative to his range of talents as an actor. In the Matrix he gives a number of impassioned speeches about the afflictions that mar the human condition and makes the audience question whether, in the grand scheme of things, he really is the “baddy”.

The origin of the red pill blue pill dilemma comes from this film. Taking the blue pill represents Plato’s allegory of the cave which is the ‘Matrix’ in which the blue pill taker remains ignorant and taking the red pill represents Plato’s allegory of the sun – stepping out of the cave and into that of knowing.

Buddhist principles and states are also assessed within the film. If you are interested in exploring these themes further The Matrix explores Samsara, attaining Nirvana and Karma, to discuss cycles of birth and death and cycles of suffering.

The film is so brilliantly relevant and tackles many issues that have plagued many thinkers for millennia that it deserves 80.5. I recommend watching this film more than once and watching online analyses of this film to understand its intentions in full.

Judging Criteria

SCRIPTURAL INTEGRATION - 20 points: 18

STORY/SCREENPLAY - 10 points: 10

DIRECTOR - 10 points:7

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 10 points:7.5

EDITOR - 10 points:7

PRODUCTION DESIGN - 10 points:8

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE or SCORE EFFECTIVENESS (if not original) - 10 points: 8

SOUND DESIGN - 10 points:7

ACTING - 10 points: 8

TOTAL SCORE 100 POINTS. : 80.5