There’s a quick shot where Neo, the one, the christ figure who sees the world in it’s true shape and delivers the people from capitalism/the demiurge, has a pair of doves, a traditional symbol of peace, liberation, and the catholic holy spirit, framed above his head. And opposing him is Agent Elrond, holding a gigantic Israeli designed Desert Eagle Pistol, and directly above that pistol flies the red, white, and blue flag of the united states. In a scene where every single person except the lady in red is wearing black and white that flag is the only other thing with bright colors.
Placed over a gun pointed at the savior.
This movie is so fucking incredible. If you weren’t their in the twilight hours of the end of history, the last days of the century of atomic bombs and digital computers and slinkies, I don’t think you’ll ever really understand.
Also notice how a cop writing traffic tickets is clearly, unambiguously, and explicitly framed as the enemy. They shot so many fucking cops in this movie it was glorious. In the Matrix the terrorists were wise, enlightened, principled, and absolutely correct. They shot cops, blew up buildings, hacked computers, and they were unquestionably the good guys. Their cause was righteous and their means were justified.
Also, compared to Keanu’s role in Cyberpunk 77 decades later; a dreary, vapid story where revolution is unthinkable, liberation impossible, and there’s only empty violence and fancy graphics. And you work for the cops.
Cyberpunk is what happens if we unlock the “common ruin of the contending classes” ending. It’s not as in your face, but the world is completely dying, like ecologically, and the AI beyond the Blackwall are basically deciding our fates. It would be interesting to see revolution attempted but people are so broken down the best they can think of is continued survival even in their wildest dreams.
The Matrix sequels are like, what if revolution was part of the system the whole time? What if he was Chosen by the Machines? Which is a super interesting idea to me. What are the revolutionary acts you can do if your rebellion was accounted for and necessary for the furtherance of control? And we do get to see - acting according to love, wild emotional irrational love when Neo chooses Trinity, but also choosing to keep fighting - when Neo keeps standing up and fighting Smith.
Also I liked The Matrix 4 lol, I liked how Trinity’s prison is children and a slightly shit husband and being beautiful whereas Neos is being a successful businessman who is short and bald and considered ugly. And Bugs being non-binary was cool.
Don’t forget The Animatrix, specifically “Final Flight of the Osiris” and “The Second Renaissance, Parts 1 & 2”. Those shorts were so good!