James Lileks reviews "The Matrix Revolutions"

The Bleat ^ | 11/07/03 | James Lileks

[Qwinn]

Heheheh... pretty good review. He does a tremendous job of hacking apart that ridiculous review by the other guy. What a pile that was.

I haven't seen Matrix 3 yet. What makes me not want to see it is that there is something I "figured out" in the 2nd movie that doesn't seem to be in the 3rd. Several things that happened in the 2nd could ONLY happen if Zion were itself another layer of the matrix - Neo could not "zap" machines nor could Smith upload himself into Zion. My understanding is that Matrix 3 does -not- make Zion an aspect of the Matrix. If that's the case, it makes the 2nd movie even worse than it already was. I would've preferred the logic of the trilogy to be predictable and reasonably logical than to have it be unpredictable but make absolutely no bloody sense.

Qwinn

[Gorons]

To seriously 'critique' the Matrix series of movies, one should rent the Animatrix DVD or purchase it. It's a collection of anime type productions, from various producers that expand upon the Matrix storyline and dive into it and give it that human touch. He's right, M2 and I have yet to see M3, but in M2 the acting was off and was eye candy for the most part and plot development, I am sure, for M3.

Being a SCIFI buff and fan and also a full time computer geek, I think I understand the Matrix series of movies more so than the average person who is not fully computer literate.

It's hard to verbalize this into words here, but I am attempting to explain that there are certain underlying principles with computing and artificial intelligence that one day could mimic what occurred in the Matrix.

What excites me about the series is that for the first time on film based media for a large audience, the Wachowski (spelling) brothers (producers/writers) have attempted to throw the "what-if" scenario with regard to future technologies run amuck. It is simply their interpretation of what could happen.

Another movie series is somewhat similar, but is more violent and has definite, concise modes of action .. Definitive beginning and ends - That is the Terminator series of movies.

What is unique about the Matrix, to me, and to many others, is that every individual that watches the triology gets out of it exactly what their preconceived notions were with it.

Instead of a movie series based on certain cause and effect relationships, the Matrix challenges one to think in a philosophical sense and to ponder, in humanistic ways, what if? ....

[Gorons]

What makes me not want to see it is that there is something I "figured out" in the 2nd movie that doesn't seem to be in the 3rd. Several things that happened in the 2nd could ONLY happen if Zion were itself another layer of the matrix - Neo could not "zap" machines nor could Smith upload himself into Zion.

EXACTLY!!! Welcome to the paradox of the entire series. Obviously there are barriers to the so-called "physical" world versus the world that exists in the "matrix".

Once one gets into the Matrix, the normal rules of physics do not apply. Except - For 'the one'. The 'one' is simply an errant subroutine or program, if you wish, a human brain developed via the virtual reality imposed upon the human incubators / energy producers that the machines rely upon for their energy needs.

Now, if there is a true phsyical world where one can become unplugged and free of the influence of the Matrix, this stands to reason that no matter how good a program may be, or programmers working on a project such as the AI that led to the War with the humans, then this is exposing the frailty of the human mind and failing to think of possible consequences of actions later deemed unacceptable to 'the machines' which led to the revolt.

M1 did a good job of identifying and personalizing this type of debate.

M2 did a good job of identifying what happens when people are released or freed from the bondage known as the Matrix. Human behavior is simply that, we make mistakes and will continue to find fault with ourselves. The machines however, and the keymaster and the oracle, and the mainframe that governs all aspects of the Matrix are interesting plot developments to me.

took away something else from the Matrix trilogy: it is a product of deeply confused people. They want it all. They want individualism and community; they want secularism and transcendence; they want the purity of committed love and the licentious fun of an S&M club; they want peace and the thrill of violence; they want God, but they want to design him on their own screens with their own programs by their own terms for their own needs, and having defined the divine on their own terms, they bristle when anyone suggests they have simply built a room with a mirror and flattering lighting. All three Matrix movies, seen in total, ache for a God. But they can’t quite go all the way. They’re like three movies about circular flat meat patties that can never quite bring themselves to say the word “hamburger.”

I don't agree with this. I don't believe they ache for a God. I believe they ache for independence and to face a foe so overwhelming that chances are they will perish in the end. I believe that what the producers were attempting to accomplish in the series is how lack of faith (spirituality), lack of discipline with regard to how the Matrix evolved, and the ensuing wars that occured (BE SURE TO WATCH ANIMATRIX!) are all perfect examples of the fallacies of what happens when Humankind attempts to manipulate the world around him with no regard to the outcome. It's a textbook example of no matter what you engineer, it's only as good as the thought processes that go into product development cycles and remember humans are invariably bound to failure more so than success.

I cant wait to see M3. I have high expectations of this conclusion (?) as we might see spin offs in other anime productions and maybe even another feature length movie that deals with the philosophical ramifications of human kind and technology. Humans, by design, are bound for failure left to their own devices. Given the choice, the humans decided to create machines to supplant tasks no longer suitable for human rapproach. The matrix was designed by humans, and is not a perfect system but "almost achieved" equillibrium. Why it failed is because of the very nature - Mankind created it, added failsafes, the AI from the mainframe adapted and coelesced alternative programs to deal with the safeguards (or opposite of) to deal with insurgent actions from the Matrix world, or the physical world.

Overall, the series opens up many people's imaginations and everyone gets what they take from the plot development.

For me, it's a very intriguing look at the future because one day, it's very feasible this could occur in real life.

Human nature is not perfect. Neither is AI and computing, hence the strike/balance one gets the feeling of while watching the series. Nothing is perfect in this world, the Matrix. Nothing is perfect in real life either.

[Waryone]

This reviewer has the right attitude. His observations of the movie and especially of uberFANBOY Knowles was dead solid perfect. The entire Matrix series was at best a B-movie. Lots of action and special effects and producers just as strange as Ed Wood.

If you look at it as a B-movie, you don't mind the fact that Keanu Reeves can't act and that one of the major stars, Lawrence Fishburn, has gained over 40 lbs since the first movie, which is about six months in the Matrix timeline. You'll also enjoy seeing Hugo Weaving continue to ham it up as a whacked out agent with a serious identity crisis -- everyone just has to become Smith. His acting style, though overdone in Lord of the Rings, is just perfect for his character in the Matrix. All of the battle scenes, special effects, and tense moments make the movie an enteraining piece of eye candy.

Even though it is eye candy this movie made me think. It made me realize how shallow we are and how quick to forget what is really important. If you look at the first Matrix movie the things you looked to have resolved concerned the machines controlling the humans, using them to produce their energy, growing humans in fields and liquifying some to produce food for the others. At the end of Matrix 1, we want to know how all the little hints and threads in this movie are woven into a resolution, hopefully one that benefits the human race.

By the end of the Matrix 3 little has been resolved except that the machines are no longer attacking Zion. Are the machines still using humans for their own benefit? Yes, the humans are still batteries, the machines are still killing and liquifying humans to feed others and the real world outside of Zion is still uninhabitable for human life.

That few people seem to be bothered by this is what has caused me to start thinking. Have we become so desensitized by all the flashy CG that what has really happened goes over our heads? The machines won people, they still have everything they ever wanted except now the vacuous humans in Zion have "PEACE." Morpheus dreamed of the end to the war and now they have it. Their greatest wish has been fulfulled. Not justice for all humans -- just peace and there will be fewer people willing to fight for justice for all now that some have peace.

Just like the politics of those who are willing to give up everything they know is right because of their desire for peace. You will never have true peace without justice. The Machines know it will be a matter of time until the humans wise up, but they had this whole thing planned from the beginning. Everything they did including the careful creation and nurturing of the One and the One mythology was to counterbalance and control what they perceived as human behavior and tendencies. So that they could continue to use human beings for fuel while on the other hand making humans feel they had accomplished something.

The ending of the movie with the Oracle, and the little girl was very disturbing to me. The false sense of security from the Oracle the humans were given with this token acknowledgement of Neo by the little girl reminded me of something political. The patronizing condescending treatment of blacks by the Democratic party. The same way they have pulled the wool over the eyes of my people, the Oracle and the Architech have pulled the wool over the eyes of the people of Zion.

It seems the Wachowski brothers may have pulled the wool over the eyes of a few others too, but not so many as they would have liked.

[Gorons]

The ending of the movie with the Oracle, and the little girl was very disturbing to me. The false sense of security from the Oracle the humans were given with this token acknowledgement of Neo by the little girl reminded me of something political. The patronizing condescending treatment of blacks by the Democratic party. The same way they have pulled the wool over the eyes of my people, the Oracle and the Architech have pulled the wool over the eyes of the people of Zion.

If you watched the ANIMATRIX DVD set, you will discover that the machines set up shop in the middle east as their hub.

Zion is a label where humans live outside the matrix.

Is it just me, or have any others noticed the parallels to the current affairs occuring in the middle east vs the civilized Western nations? Was this coincidence or planned?

Something to chew on. :)

[Dajjal]

Lileks bump

[Waryone]

I don't agree with this. I don't believe they ache for a God. I believe they ache for independence and to face a foe so overwhelming that chances are they will perish in the end. I believe that what the producers were attempting to accomplish in the series is how lack of faith (spirituality), lack of discipline with regard to how the Matrix evolved, and the ensuing wars that occured (BE SURE TO WATCH ANIMATRIX!) are all perfect examples of the fallacies of what happens when Humankind attempts to manipulate the world around him with no regard to the outcome. It's a textbook example of no matter what you engineer, it's only as good as the thought processes that go into product development cycles and remember humans are invariably bound to failure more so than success.

I have to disagree with you because of what you mention. They have imperfect machine gods sharing control of the Matrix, the Oracle and the Architect. There is an imperfect machine god, the 01 -- Deus Ex Machina. The humans even offer up prayers to who knows what and rely on their own strength or some myth of unknown origin. These imperfect humans designed machines which can never be more perfect than those who created them. Certainly these are not fit to be the humans' god. The people are in need of a true and perfect God, the one who answers prayer, who works all things together for their good. The one who truly controls everything. All three movies sorely lacked this understanding.

I agree with Lileks, only I would remove one word and exchange it for a few others. All three Matrix movies, seen in total, ache for a the one true God.

[Waryone]

I have a 14 year old son so yes I have seen the Animatrix DVD and heard first hand about the Enter the Matrix game. So yes I do know about all the backstory those platforms contain.

But the real question is what has really happened in the way of progress over the span these three movies? I know you haven't seen Revolutions yet so I'll stop here.

[Do Be]

I took my sons to see this movie, expecting to not like it at all. The second Matrix movie wasn't very good and the reviews for this one said it was just as bad.

My boys and I thought it was very good.

If you're looking for the meaning of life, look elsewhere. If you want to see a good sci-fi flick, go see this one.

[tal hajus]

My son and I will be seeing it today. I've gotten three reviews and they all say it is a lousy movie. I didn't like most of the second one but he did. Hope to enjoy this one.

[Cronos]

MAtrix 3 is ok. Just saw it today. The graphics and cinematography is great, the invasion scene superb, the plot stupid, the acting insipid and a number of open plot lines. The review was spot on, I was rooting for Agent Smith (as I was during the first movie).

But this is no Star wars, the Matrix will not build up a cult following like 'Wars.

[Snuffington]

I haven't seen any of the Matrix movies, but I love the way he sliced and diced Harry Knowles. Highlight:

Alas, he cannot write. He is a horrid stylist; he writes like someone mashing the keyboard with bratwursts; his politics have the sophistication of a preschool crayon drawing, and his self-confidence in his insights is matched only by his inability to see how fatuous his work often sounds. Mr. Knowles is often held up as an example of New Media, one of those outsiders who’ve wrested the mike from the old tired media. Usually I support that sort of thing, but if ever there was an argument for restricting the role of Critic to the white-gloved aesthetes, the Lucius Beebes, the Jay Shermans, the guys who, y’know, have done it, with a laidy, nudge nudge, it’s Harry Knowles.

[LanPB01]

Knowles is an absolute moron. He can't stop fawning over anything filmed by his personal jesus, Michael Moore.

[Gorons]

Machina. The humans even offer up prayers to who knows what and rely on their own strength or some myth of unknown origin. These imperfect humans designed machines which can never be more perfect than those who created them. Certainly these are not fit to be the humans' god. The people are in need of a true and perfect God, the one who answers prayer, who works all things together for their good. The one who truly controls everything. All three movies sorely lacked this understanding.

I agree with Lileks, only I would remove one word and exchange it for a few others. All three Matrix movies, seen in total, ache for a the one true God.

Ok, I can understand your viewpoint on the series. It's quite understandable. While searching for the one true God, I think the movies takes on a religious implication that ... I suppose, is not intended for finding "God" or a some semblance of such an entity.

Here is where I think the Wachowski Brothers attempted to expound upon. There is no God in this world. Humans freed from the Matrix seeking some semblance of God for comfort and strength. That is how Neo ties up for M3 (Which I've yet to see). From what I have read Neo evolved into a diety/God for the people of Zion. Now is this required? Or was it thrown in to appease the overall goal of the trilogy?

Let met expound ...
Take religion / God / Spirituality out of the equation when you reflect upon the series.... The overall problem is that mankind developed these machines, the machines became cognizcent enough to place demands on humankind, but were rebuffed.

If you have NOT watched the ANIMATRIX ... It's imperative to view it .. The plot tie in is amazing, and really is required viewing to fully understand the transition between M2 and M3.

There is ALOT of history with the ANIMATRIX series that is not present on the movies and without watching the DVD, there is a lot of storyline/plot development that is missing.

I dunno, in my opinion there are certain goals that need to be attained in certain order for real life humans in Zion to get the upper hand on the machines.

At the basic level it is survivial (M1), at the staging level it is setting expectations to lead into M3 (M2), and in M3, as Ive mentioned before, I have yet to see and the reports I've been reading about Neo somehow developing into a God or diety that the people of Zion are craving for direction, is simply a ploy to lead to future movies and/or animatrix features.

Correct me if I am wrong, but is finding God/Spirituality/Fellowship so important to the people of Zion, compared to say, discovering themselves and escaping the perils of Morality via self-discovery?

It's a double-edged sword to a degree. What's more important? Discovering "God" or discovering that what it takes to survive into the future is the ability to distinguish the difference between the Matrix and true reality? Why do they need God in order to establish their community?

IMHO, the storyline is definitely geared to the what if? scenario based upon the actions of human kind (or lack thereof). We can turn this into a religious debate, or a philisophical debate. It's rather easy and left open to interpretation on the reader's part as to which he'd like to adopt.

[Prodigal Son]

But they can’t take 27 pounds of Laurence Fishburn.

LOL. Good one.

Hey what's the hamburger references all about? Does anyone know?

[Timesink]

...and that one of the major stars, Lawrence Fishburn, has gained over 40 lbs since the first movie, which is about six months in the Matrix timeline.

That's not weight. It's extra RAM! ;)

[I_dmc]

Why would what Neo can do necessarily be limited to within the Matrix?

[I_dmc]

By the end of the Matrix 3 little has been resolved except that the machines are no longer attacking Zion. Are the machines still using humans for their own benefit? Yes, the humans are still batteries, the machines are still killing and liquifying humans to feed others and the real world outside of Zion is still uninhabitable for human life.

You're certain this is how things stand?  Could it be otherwise?

[I_dmc]

Yes, and the machine city was known as Zero One....Zion.