Archives
Leap of Faith
The Matrix was on TV last night in the UK; I don't even know why I was watching it either, as a) we have the trilogy on DVD and b) I don't even like the freaking movie.
Though it's widely accepted the trilogy "ultimately blows" (as John August puts it so succinctly), everyone seems to like that first movie. I didn't. Before anyone gets out of their tree, let me explain why. You can't like everything your peers like. On top of that, I'm into philosophy: that means the notion of phenomenalism (the main concept behind the movie in conjunction with the Descartian idea "I think therefore I am" and The Three Waves of Doubt) were not such new and radical concepts for me. In addition, it just had a distinct whiff of Terminator, with scriptwriting role function alert on every character: saviours, mentors, lovers, fighters, oracles...Bleurgh. A little 80's for my liking. Plus I don't like Keanu Reeves' face much. So there.
However, people really liked the film and what I think of it doesn't really matter. All dues to The Wachowski Bros too - they had everyone believing they invented "bullet time" (even though it's been used in documentaries for the past two decades) and they really wrung out every last drop of hype to ensure their kids AND grandkids get to go to private school on the moon. Good for them.
However, one thing struck me for the first time when watching Keanu Reeves emerge from his little cocoon last night. Regular readers of this blog know I hate nitpicking over exposition; however, since this is a movie I don't like, I can be 100% hypocritical, simply because I cannot believe I have never read or thought about this before.
The Matrix is virtual reality. The machines could have picked any time they wanted - ever. They chose 1999. Apparently it's closer to 2199, though nobody really knows. Okay, I can deal with that. However, Trinity says to Neo in the club that the reason the resistance guys (and the creepy agents) have zeroed in on him is because he's spent "night after night at his computer...it's the question that drives (them) mad" to which Neo replies, "What is The Matrix?"
Okay, double back on that. Not the last part, the first.
He has spent night after night at his computer.
Night after night. Computer.
Computer.
Machine!
Why do computers exist inside The Matrix?? The fact that Neo has access to the internet, phones, technology etc means he starts to question his existence with that infamous "What is The Matrix?" that gets him unplugged and flushed out of the battery-type system! Why didn't the machines choose decades earlier, or better still, a CENTURY ago - there were no phones or computers or internet in 1899!! Ignorance really WOULD have been bliss...Everyone could have got on with their donkeys and carts and lack of washing machines and TV's...In fact, everyone would have been so busy with menial tasks and drinking in saloons with bawdy wenches, the machines could've reigned FOREVER! Instead, they choose a year in which people are REALLY interested in technology and can actually hack into and out of The Matrix at will, even unplugging their comrades in slavery. Hmmm.
But that's just it, isn't it...I don't even like that movie and I had not thought of this before last night, seven years after it came out. This is exactly what I mean about creating worlds where certain things happen just because they DO. The machines chose 1999. Not 1899, not 1859, not 1979. 1999. Because they did. End of. Because they chose 1999, Neo gets roped into saving the human race via his cyber inclinations and discovers he's a modern day Jesus Christ for the dystopian Brave New World. That's the plot. A viewer doesn't notice the whys and wheres - they only do if the holes are gaping. Much as it pains me, this hole does not gape. Audiences are willing to take that leap of faith and suspend their disbelief...even those who are going "Yeah, right!" like me, it seems.
And in any case, The Matrix: Reloaded DOES have a very good sex scene, even if it doesn't push the story forward or really have any place in the narrative other than telling us - AGAIN - Neo really loves Trinity.
But that's the beauty of the gratuitous sex scene. Any favourites out there?
bang2write at 19:19:00 o'clock BST Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
LOL, didn't know that I was the big bad lesbian who "gets" people. I've decided NOT to visit Vince's blog since I believe that some people want any kind od attention they can get, any way they can get it... I've decided not to help provide it.
As for more favorite sex scenes, check out Piper Perabo and Jessica Pare` in "Lost and Delirious". Whomever mentioned Mulholland Drive, yeah, it was pretty hot but damn that was waaaaaay too short.
btw, I AM the infamous "writergurl", just using an old AOL screenname cause I'm toto damn lazy to sign up for "wg" now!
Cheers! -
You really put the "dog" in "DDog" don'tcha?? ; )
Not a big David Lynch fan, has to be said...Though there seems to be a tidal wave of interest in lesbianism courtesy of Vince's latest blog posting at the mo!
The Writergurl's gonna get wicked on all your evil asses, don't say I didn't warn you... -
I have another one that beats the Adaptation scenes: the sex scene between Naomi Watts and Laura Harring in Mulholland Dr. That's definitely one for the record books.
DDog -- (PlotPointZero) -
JJ - that's a very good point: why would the agents have to be human? Why don't the machines just arrange for troublesome battery-people to die in accidents or whatever?? Nitpicking over exposition is compulsive, a bit like Pringles - once you pop, you can't stop...
As for the rest of you...
Ah, nothing like uttering the word SEX and seeing everyone jump out the woodwork like crazy nympho woodlice! ; )
Vince, you know you are a perv. It's part of your charm - or even your blogging persona, as you mention in one of your recent posts!
LBK - can't you do better than Adaptation?? Shame on you ; ) If you MUST include Nicholas Cage >YUK< perhaps WILD AT HEART with Laura Dern??
Pat - your comment came thru! It's just AOL only stores I think 4 before the comments section goes thru to another page. If you click "show more" you can see the whole lot of them. But I agree with you!
ATL - not familiar with the film. But definitely sounds fun. And yes, I'm a girl. In fact, you may even have read my lamentations on the Writergurl's blog recently that I should've picked her "team" and then I wouldn't be in the sorry overly-due pregnant state I am right now...
05/05/06 09:13
Vince et al are crossing the line a little TOO much for my liking too. There's funny...and then frooty...and then downright freaky.