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The Matrix Film Analysis

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The Matrix Film Analysis
‘Significant texts in any genre arise from specific social and cultural conditions, and while they possess an enduring relevance, they are never completely original’

Discuss this statement with detailed reference to the film ‘The Matrix’

‘The Matrix’ is a science- fiction film directed by brothers Larry and Andy Wachowski. The film was highly appreciated and well received by both the audience and critics. ‘The Matrix offers a dystopian view of the future by exploring the relationship man has to machine. The film experiments with the use of intertextuality to create an intricate plot where all scenes are of utmost relevance. The Matrix is a film consisting of many sub-plots, however they all eventually lead to the development of the main plot
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Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples that ended up betraying him for material pleasures (money). Cypher was part of Morpheus’ crew and a friend of some sort to Neo. In the film, there is a scene where Neo looks stressed, Cypher confronts him and talks to him. He says to him “… I’ve been thinking it ever since I got here, why, oh why didn’t I take the blue pill..”, this phrase gives of the notion that when Cypher is faced with the harshness that comes with this truth (the life within the Matrix), he wishes to retreat back into the artificial world - a ‘dream’ world. As a result of ‘being tired of everything’, he gets into contact with the agents who are working for the machines and tells them of his wants. They offer him the freedom he wants, but for a price- access to the Matrix, in which he willingly accepts (much like a deal with the devil). Cypher played a major role towards the end of the film, as he ended up murdering most of his crew members and puts Neo in a difficult situation that caused him to die. This particular intertextual reference between the role of Judas within the bible and Cypher in the Matrix raises a prevalent issue within society- the idea of betrayal for selfish pleasures. As well as this concept of betrayal in a religious concept, it also correlates to betrayal in a worldly perception. We live in a world where betrayal is a part of the norm, so, when the issue was raised by this specific scene in the film, it was most probably to inform the audience of an unrecognised, yet relevant world issue (the loss of humanity due to a lack to trust and not being able to confide in

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