Marix the movie; philosophy

13 December 2007

The hype surrounding the Wachowski brothers - directed movie has gained significant ground and footing since its initial release in 1999 up until the release of its succeeding installations in the year 2003 . With a stellar cast of characters , tight visual effects and a relatively fresh take on the concept of reality as it regards to humanity , The Matrix trilogies has been well received by the general movie viewing populace and has venerated a significant cult following as well . Such particular mass and pop appeal isn 't always rooted in

obscure and complex theories and philosophies , but in this case , The Matrix is

The film borrows its ideologies from the infamous and perhaps notorious French philosopher Jean Baudrillard , who in his theories regarding reality , of aspects of its simulations and reproductions incited controversies by proclaiming 'reality is dead ' pronouncing that reality has ceased to exist because of the different versions and simulations which crop up from everywhere because of the advent of new technologies and the instances afforded to us in this modern generation . Baudrillard speaks of the hyperreal , of simulations and simulacra , of the 'precession of the real ' ultimately presenting a skeptical view of the world we live in and how human beings ' perception of instances they deem as real doesn 't necessarily follow such truth and 'reality

A copy of Baudrillard 's book Simulacra and Simulation makes a brief appearance in the initial part of the movie , in the apartment of the lead character Neo , which he casually takes out of his shelf to hand over its contained materials of syndicated discs to one of his 'clients ' Reference to the French philosopher is to be expected since the entirety of the movie , as well as its base ideologies and persuasions rest heavily on Baudrillard 's philosophy . Although unlike the French philosopher , the movie is able to discuss and expound on versions of reality as it exists around us , to the point of preaching it , without sounding the least bit hostile , instead exacting mass appeal and box office earnings

The film follows the story of a computer hacker , who is abruptly 'awakened ' disillusioned from the reality he knew of when he is pulled out of its sphere by a group of individuals who were able to liberate themselves and escape from this former reality which they were told to accept and believe in . He soon finds out that the reality he was living in was fabricated , a sleep induced version of what once was before the advent of computers and artificial intelligence prompted the takeover of machines . The planet is now being run by machines who use humans to fuel the course of their existence , artificially reproducing humans , and keeping them in a sleep induced chamber from infant to adulthood in an endless mechanical field , until they are ripe and ready for harvest , to be harnessed crudely in the form of batteries . Human beings are unaware of this state of reality which is happening outside of their...