Film Neo example essay topic

In case you need another excuse to watch the Matrix again here are some clues to see the film as a cyber-punk spiritual parable. The sinister, karate-filled, action-packed world of the Matrix may seem an unlikely place to find spiritual insight but beneath the film's leather exterior lie some important questions. The basic plot line of the film is that machines develop artificial intelligence and decide to turn on their human masters. The machines imprison human beings and using neural implants keep humanity's minds distracted in a simulation of the 1990's (the Matrix), while in the real world their bodies are being used as the batteries that power the machines. Spot the connections to our own world. Through constant advertising we are sold a view of success in life that revolves around designer labels, fast cars and large houses.

(Ironically the Matrix films pander to this through rife product placement.) We work ourselves to death in order to buy the things we are being programmed to want. We have stopped being consumers and have started being consumed; the media keeps us working hard so that we end up batteries for the system. In a 1999 Time Magazine interview the Wachowskis said that they were interested in "all the ways that human beings try to answer... The Big Question".

They admitted that they had drawn much of their material from the Bible as it is "seeks to answer a lot of relevant questions for man". As a teacher and student of the Christian faith this is where my ears pricked up. Note some of the biblical references in the film. Nebuchadnezzar is an Old Testament king of Babylon who has a dream that he does not understand. Trinity is the name given to the uniquely Christian understanding of God as one being in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Zion is the Jewish and Christian name for heaven.

Cypher is the judas character who betrays Neo and his friends for an easy life; is his name a play on "Lucifer"? But it is the central character Neo that offers the greatest link to Christianity. Neo is the hacking alias for Thomas Anderson: 'Anderson' literally translated is 'son of man', the favourite name that Jesus used for himself in the gospels. Neo is "the one" - (spot the anagram, if you haven't already). There are clear signs that Neo is supposed to be a picture of Jesus in the film; watch how the first person to meet Neo describes him as "My own personal Jesus". In the film Neo is shot by the agents and is dead for a full 72 screen seconds. (an allusion to the 72 hours - 3 days that Jesus was dead in the tomb).

After this Neo is brought back to life through the love of Trinity and this time he is more powerful than ever. This parallels nicely with the Christian understanding of Jesus' death and resurrection. Stop there. It is important to note that the Matrix is not a Christian movie.

The Wachowskis have soaked their minds with ideas from Christianity, Buddhism and Postmodern philosophers alike. But, the film does raise important questions about life. Why is it that only the truth that can set us free from a system seeking to exploit us? Cross-reference Jesus' point "the truth shall set you free and you shall be free indeed". In the movie the promised one fulfills prophecies about his arrival and then he sets on a mission to free people from their slavery.

Is there any truth to this? Christians believe this is exactly what Jesus is offering. Why not consider the historical facts and eternal significance of Jesus' death and resurrection? As the film points out, it is only after Neo's death and resurrection that the doubters are silenced about him really being "the one". Morpheus offers Neo a choice in the movie to take a blue pill that will send him back to sleep or a red pill that will show him the truth. The choice to pursue the truth is offered to us all.

Take the red pill.