The Matrix IRP (Independent Research Project)

Tiny Kanyavong

IRP- "The Matrix"

The Matrix is a film that blends the traditions of the heroic quest and the ancient beliefs of Buddhist enlightenment with revolutionary photography and a trend setting techno music score to create a modern allegory about humans versus machines. The movie also incorporates Jungian psychology, Kung Fu action sequences, and elements of King Arthur and Star Wars. The Matrix is a myth for modern times.

The matrix is an artificial world tricking human minds into living a dream "reality" that blinds them from the truth. The truth that humans are grown as "copper-tops" or "batteries" for the machine-ruled world.

A resistance group to the system/the matrix is led by Morpheus. They go on a search for "the One... A man born inside who had the ability to change whatever he wanted... It was he who freed the first of us, taught us the truth... After he died the Oracle prophesized his return and that his coming would hail the destruction of the matrix and the war, bring freedom to our people."

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

English: "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", from t...

Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars p...

This is much like the search for the reincarnated Buddha (Ressner).

After finding Neo, Morpheus trains Neo's mind to understand the truth and to break the hold the matrix has on human minds. Neo does not know he is the one. Neo's doubts about his ability is intensified by the Oracle's prophecy.

One of the humans in the resistance pack, Cypher, becomes a traitor and turns Morpheus into the "agents" (who are the guards and key in the matrix.) Cypher does so in order to return to the state of ignorance, "Ignorance is bliss." says Cypher, the Judas-like character. He knows that "bliss" is only an illusion yet he still liked it and wanted to be part of it again.

Neo must choose between...