Blog 22

In the book The Matrix and Philosophy Cynthia Freeland says “The Matrix and Existenz that The Matrix, though "sleeker" is actually more "infantile" emotionally and philosophically and that, really, we have very little that is new to learn from the film.” She believes the Matrix is a concept that has been done before and very amateur. Cynthia gives a range of reasons for her claim. The Matrix to her is a film that has a little to no message to offer the audience besides its special effects.

Cynthia Freeland first mentions, “The Matrix reveals an adolescent fear of the body as something that can veer out of control”. To Freeland The Matrix plays on the theory about young boys and there bodies which is typical and direct. She goes on to say how in the movie the “body can be delightful and disgusting”.

Freeland points out the multiple penetration scenes. How vulnerable and uncomfortable Neo the main character is. She talks about how the penetration scenes are nothing more than the fear of men being feminized. Neo appears very feminine in the film she says “hairless” and “pink”.

The women in the film are stereotyped Freeland states. Trinity, Neo sidekick, is the “babe”. She “kick ass” and looks good. She’s his love interest and kisses him to bring him back to life. The only woman is an Oracle who is your typical prophet. She is a “ black woman with insight and wisdom of a tribal sage.” Nothing according to Freeland that hasn’t been done may times already.

I strongly disagree with Cynthia Freeland’s claims about The Matrix. The film to me has many philosophical ideologies and meaning. The movie has many bible references and many more philosophy ideas. Everything from names to movements has meaning. One of the last things she states is how “The movie celebrates, not freedom from the natty, but the indulgence in exciting cinematic simulations.”. This is just not true. Yes granted there are many special effects but they tie into many deeper things.

Cynthia compares The Matrix to Existenz. Existenz revolves around a video game that can be accessed by a port in the spine thus entering a virtual world. The characters know there in a game and can return to the real world when they want. Theirs is not much more to the movie.

There is however a gender aspect to Existenz. One of the main characters Ted becomes feminized throughout the film much like Neo in the Matrix. Cynthia says, “ Jude plays his scenes with seeming relish, as wimpy, fussy, and hysterical. It is no wonder that a mainly male adolescent audience would find nothing to identify with here”. She later says how Allegra, the game creator, is not your typical “babe” like Trinity from the Matrix. That statement couldn’t be farther from the truth.

As a female Cynthia cannot understand what a male audience feels about males being feminine or as she states “whimmpy” or “relish”. Its ludicrous to assume a male audience cannot identify with Ted. It makes many of her opinions less credible. Not all adolescents’ boys are “macho” and “tuff”. On the contrary they have many questions and emotional changes. As for Allegra not being the typical babe that’s also very untrue. Allegra is portrayed as a strong, dominating, and smart woman as most women are when they are main characters such as Catwoman or Charlie’s Angles. It’s nothing new or thought provoking.

Cynthia Freeland’s opinions on The Matrix and Existenz do not reflect mine sin the least. At the core the Matrix can be linked to many deep meaningful things. Existenz on the other hand does not offer much more. It’s right to the point and simple. We know where reality lies and the virtual world. In the Matrix you have to think a lot more into everything.