The Matrix trilogy is a widely celebrated success at the box office and in the hearts of those who have watched it. But beyond all this hoopla, what is it’s message? When all the futuristic technology and fast paced martial arts is cut away, what do these movies communicate? Some critics describe them as just an effort to entertain an adrenaline-hungry crowd while others say it’s a cry against a world with false values. In truth, the Matrix tells the story of a man fighting a war against everything he knows, with the odds piling in favour of his adversaries. It follows the tale of a few people challenging a world order with infinitely more power than they possess for love and freedom, though it makes them refugees and forces them to live in constant danger, without any apparent progress. Neo or Mr Anderson is the main protagonist and his destiny is the focus of the Trilogy. He wakes up one day to find that the world he lives in is a fake and all he knows is an illusion. He also finds that he plays a very prominent role in a war between a few rebels and the world order he always thought was his own. This potential lands him in the crosshairs of both parties and sets him on an epic journey of self-discovery. Along the way he grows, learns how to continue despite opposition and seemingly insurmountable odds, becomes mighty and learns the power of love to change fate.

The first movie introduces us to the world of the matrix, Neo, and the crew of the human rebel ship, the Nebuchadnezzar. It also introduces us to the antagonists, the Machines- both as Sentinels and Agent Smiths. At first, the matrix is shown to be a world full of social life, colourful and vital. Neo is introduced as a normal person; he has a desk job, a struggling social life, and hacking as a hobby (just like us). However, as soon as he encounters Morpheus and Trinity, and is removed from the Matrix, some things become pronounced- dark colours in clothing and cars, grey tones tinged with green in the atmosphere and buildings, and the monotone pattern of life in the Matrix serve to reinforce this effect. Yet all those still hooked to the Mainframe do not notice any anomalies in their environment. Clearly, Neo’s understanding of reality shows things to be drab; the muted colour of clothing, the bare fare and accommodation aboard the Nebuchadnezzar emphasize the severity of the situation Neo and his rescuers are in. Thus, Neo becomes a complete outsider, no longer of the Matrix but not yet truly of Zion and the Nebuchadnezzar. As time goes on though, he begins to belong there as he falls in love with Trinity, meets the Oracle, awakens his destiny, and conquers the Agent Smith. He finally takes his place in the war against the Matrix.

In the second movie, Matrix Reloaded, the tale shows Neo growing into his destiny, and realising that his love for Trinity and his duty to Zion will come in conflict. First, he gets to meet the powers that be and that would seek to manipulate him to their own ends- the city and elders of Zion, and, eventually, the Machine Head, the Architect. He becomes a quiet and brooding hero as he feels the weight of Zion’s expectations on him and as he finds out that he has enemies with considerably more power than he expected, notably a revitalized rogue Smith program, and the Merovingian, who present unexpected difficulties. Moreover, he discovers that, other than him, there are other people with necessary roles to play like the Key-Maker and he learns the beauty of teamwork. Finally, he learns that the smart decision is not always the best one and that his decisions determine the outcome of the War. This he finds especially true when, upon meeting the Architect, he learns that all his predecessors failed their duty and still goes ahead to choose Trinity over Zion. The One manages to save her but at a grave cost- his manifestation of the ability to control machines from outside the Matrix leaves him unconscious in a sort of coma. He learns