Matrix's Case Neo The Hero Figure example essay topic

The Matrix essay The Matrix has been doing remarkably well in sales since its release in the cinema last summer and its recent video releases. This is largely due to stylish advertising techniques and word of mouth. The Matrix has been approved by critics who enjoy the film and also the ones who dislike the theme. Among young viewers, it has already achieved great status. So what else is the film about Firstly the film copies the theme from many popular films that came before it, and involves intelligent science fiction, a large chunk of action and breathtaking special effects, The Matrix is a carbon copy of films like The Terminator and Star Wars. But the greatest influence on "The Matrix" is the movie The Dark City.

A comparable factor of both these films are the constant religious themes used by the producers. Both films concentrate on The One (the Messiah) who has come to save the world by using their own unique powers or abilities. In most of these types of films the public or others are usually unaware of the dangers and disasters until late on in the films. The Matrix signifies modern society by using religious examples and notions, to show that there is only one god and he is the only savior in times of need. In modern society there are many new religions being created to suit the individual, this is because there is a need for something to control our lives, our actions, how we do certain things and generally just a set of rules to live by.

This is why most people find they need a religion. In the Matrix the lead character Neo (Keanu Reeves) is given the choice of becoming part of a religion or not. He is offered this choice by deciding on two different pills, the red one and blue one. He picks the red pill, which is the pill that ll make him part of the Matrix Religion.

Morpheus, Neo's mentor and offerer of the pills, says to Neo Remember that all I am offering is the truth. Nothing mor. This is very much like the real world where it is up to you to be part of a religion or not. Without a religion or set of rules people find they are lost and have no path to follow. It is therefore helpful to have a god or figurehead who is either present or invisible, to offer advice or paths to follow. In the Matrix's case Neo the hero figure, is unsure if he is the one who can save everyone, so he asks his own god (Oracle).

In The Matrix Neo discovers that he has the power within himself to decide how he lives his life and what happens in it. In his role, the savior of mankind, these powers within him come from his own mind not some other object or being. This is where reality comes in and we all know that no normal human being can posses these powers, but Neo's teacher (Morpheus) tells him that these powers are within him if only he uses his mind. His implies that everything is possible if only we put our minds to it. Going back to Neo's meeting with the Oracle, she told Neo he was not the one.

This was because he had not totally put his mind to it and she new that he was not yet fully committed. She knew that he had it in him to become a leader but he was not yet ready to become one. This is very much like religion where everyone is equal and they all can do whatever they put their mind to if they are dedicated. When Morpheus is captured by the enemy, Neo comes to his rescue just like any godly figure would. Bearing in mind that earlier on the film the Oracle told him that Morpheus would sacrifice his life for him. This encouraged Neo to save Morpheus as he wanted to be the chosen one and he knew this was his only chance.

Neo also ended up defeating the bad guys, which is a god's main job to guide its followers on the right path and keep peace. The Matrix includes a very interesting subject which is, that of vast technology and that of moral principles. The speed at which technology is moving is incredible, people are worrying that soon everything will be computerized and that there will be many technological problems. The Matrix uses its complex technology to tell a story of how artificial intelligence was created and caused many problems in their society.

This is very similar to modern day life. Religions offer an additional answer to technology, which is constantly being debated. Religion is a very big part of the film and explains why Neo did what he did. Neo always wanted to be part of a religion or have a set of rules that governed him and in the end he was successful in his fight. The question is how do we define the difference between a god and a hero.