Ideas behind the Picture

[-=fox=-]

Originally Posted by ArcR

My thoughts on the scene: The viewer is introduced to the concept that is the "Matrix." The Matrix is a system... a system of what? Of control. From the first frame to the last that is what these scene demonstrates and does with a subtle start.

It opens with the image of a crosswalk sign at STOP and everyone in their mind immediately recognizes it. It switches... everyone starts walking. This is the most subtle form of control taken for granted. Then Morpheus goes on to list some of the forms of control through professions.

Businessmen -Money
Teacher -Education/Indoctrination
Lawyer -Laws
Carpenters -I'm not certain and it may simply not be allegorical but if it is I think it either religion or craft

The following speech by Morpheus I think we understand as people being the self-appointed defenders of the "Matrix"

The Carrot
The lady in the red dress walks by and Neo is distracted and everything else goes fuzzy... seduction. (think of advertising).

The Stick
We then see a police officer (uniformed authority/government) handing out a ticket (punishment) glancing upward trying to spike you with fear.

And the scene, as cut, ends on the least subtle form of control with a gun pointed at YOUR skull. No explanation necessary.

The real beauty of this is how everything is directed at the at the viewer creating the distinct impression that you are there. (not 3rd person)

Nice analysis. Not sure how much of that was actually intentional but it all sounds quite reasonable. People who doubt that someone would put so many subtile details into a scene should have a look at the long process that is necessary until it finally hits the screen.

[ArcR]

Thanks. The wachowski brothers wrote the script, directed and produced the movie which says a lot and they had 3-4 years to do so. Tried to find them in an interview saying that they went into it with the intend of creating an intricate multi-layered movie with subtleties that would take several viewings to understand but instead I found something just as good

[-=fox=-]

Check this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GI5Oxh56NY

[ArcR]

So that's why I couldn't find the film makers commentary. I repsect that and I'll continue to try to understand the film. I always thought the 3rd one was a sell out because of the copious amounts of CGI and little content. I guess I missed the ideas. I wish I could tell them what I thought and they could explain what I missed.

It's going to be fun to watch the film critics and philosophers give their input.